Summer 2025 promises an exhilarating time for DC enthusiasts. Following the much-anticipated theatrical release of Superman, marking the live-action debut of James Gunn and Peter Safran's DCU, fans are treated to another season of Peacemaker. John Cena returns as the gun-toting, peace-loving Christopher Smith, joined by many of the beloved Season 1 cast members.
The first Peacemaker Season 2 trailer sheds light on the upcoming plot and its connections to both the first season and Gunn's The Suicide Squad. From intriguing new details about the DCU timeline and Rick Flagg's role as the "villain" to the noticeable absence of Vigilante, let's delve into the key points from the trailer.
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Freddie Stroma’s Vigilante in Peacemaker Season 2
It would be unfair to label John Cena's Christopher Smith as the least intriguing character in Peacemaker. He embodies a compelling figure—a walking paradox who champions peace yet engages in brutal combat. His character also embodies the classic Gunn-style humor with a deeply hidden heart of gold.
While Peacemaker ostensibly centers on its titular character, the series thrives as an ensemble piece. The supporting cast is crucial to its success, much like The CW's The Flash relied on Team Flash's dynamics. Among these supporting characters, Freddie Stroma's Vigilante consistently steals the spotlight.
Vigilante emerged as the breakout character in Season 1, serving as a hilarious counterpart to Cena's Peacemaker—a clingy best friend who could be a great superhero if not for his melancholic disposition. Though the series deviates from the comic book version, his entertainment value is undeniable.
It's somewhat disappointing to see less of Stroma's character in the trailer. While Cena naturally takes center stage, and Jennifer Holland's Emilia Harcourt grapples with significant anger issues, Vigilante is pushed to the background. We see him working at a fast food restaurant and grappling with the realization that saving the world doesn't guarantee fame. Hopefully, the trailer doesn't reflect his reduced role in the season.
Meeting the DCU Justice League ------------------------------The trailer begins on a surprising note, with Peacemaker attending an open interview with the Justice League. Sean Gunn's Maxwell Lord, Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner, and Isabela Merced's Hawkgirl are present, dismissing Peacemaker before he can even make his case.
This scene offers a deeper look into the Justice League's group dynamic than the Superman trailer. This Justice League is distinctly different from the one briefly shown in Season 1, characterized by a more sarcastic and irreverent tone that aligns better with the Peacemaker series than the solemn DCEU Justice League.
Gunn's influence from DC's beloved Justice League International comics is evident, with Lord leading and financing the team. The focus is on a more eclectic group of oddballs and misfits, rather than the traditional big-name heroes, highlighting their need for the legitimacy that comes with being part of the Justice League.
It's likely that Gunn filmed this scene during the Superman shoot, making it convenient to gather Sean Gunn, Fillion, and Merced. While the team might not play a significant, recurring role beyond Chris's failed audition, it's refreshing to see their dynamic and the humor and personality Isabela Merced brings to Hawkgirl, promising a more enjoyable portrayal than the Arrowverse's version.
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The Return of Frank Grillo’s Rick Flagg, Sr.
Frank Grillo's Rick Flagg, Sr. is currently the linchpin of the DCU. After playing a significant role in the Creature Commandos animated series, he's set to make his live-action debut in Superman and now emerges as a central figure in Peacemaker Season 2.
Flagg appears to be positioned as the main antagonist, though "antagonist" might be too strong, given his motivations. He's a father seeking justice for his murdered son and the new head of ARGUS, giving him both legal authority and moral justification in his conflict with Peacemaker.
This sets up an intriguing dynamic for Season 2. Despite Chris's desire to be seen as a reformed hero, his actions in 2021's The Suicide Squad haunt him. Saving the world doesn't erase his past deeds. It will be fascinating to see how much viewers sympathize with Flagg's quest for vengeance against Team Peacemaker.
Making Sense of the DCU Timeline
The direct connection to The Suicide Squad is intriguing. While the DCU aims to start fresh, some elements of the DCEU remain. The Suicide Squad now seems to be the unofficial first DCU movie, given its frequent references in the new universe.
A clear DCU timeline is emerging: The Suicide Squad in 2021, Peacemaker Season 1 in 2022, Creature Commandos in 2024, Superman in July 2025, and Peacemaker Season 2 in August 2025. Following this, the DCU expands with shows like Lanterns and movies like Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.
Gunn is keen to retain the work from The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker Season 1 despite the new continuity. As he told IGN, canon matters only so much, emphasizing the authenticity and care put into these stories, despite their fictional nature.
Gunn has acknowledged the continuity challenge posed by the DCEU Justice League's cameo in Peacemaker Season 1, which Season 2 will address. A scene late in the trailer hints at Chris entering his father's dimension and encountering another version of himself, suggesting the multiverse might resolve these continuity issues.
Apart from the Justice League cameo, little prevents Gunn from officially integrating The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker Season 1 into the DCU. This move allows for continuity with characters like Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn, John Cena's Peacemaker, and Viola Davis's Amanda Waller, while potentially recasting others like the Joker.
By the end of Peacemaker Season 2, the DCU's canon will likely be much clearer. Fans eagerly await its return, hoping for more of Vigilante's presence.
