Summer 2025 promises an exhilarating season for DC enthusiasts, with the cinematic arrival of Superman marking the live-action launch of James Gunn and Peter Safran's DCU, swiftly followed by the much-anticipated second season of Peacemaker. John Cena reprises his role as the enigmatic Christopher Smith, bringing back much of the beloved Season 1 cast to continue the adventures of this peace-loving, yet gun-wielding anti-hero.
The first Peacemaker Season 2 trailer provides intriguing glimpses into the upcoming plot, offering connections to Season 1 and Gunn's The Suicide Squad. From new insights into the DCU timeline and Rick Flagg's role as an antagonist to the noticeable absence of Vigilante, let's delve into the essential elements revealed by the trailer.
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Freddie Stroma’s Vigilante in Peacemaker Season 2
Calling John Cena's Christopher Smith the least interesting character in Peacemaker would be an injustice. Smith captivates as a complex figure—a man who champions peace while engaging in violent conflict, embodying the classic Gunn-style blend of humor and heart.
However, Peacemaker is truly an ensemble show, with its supporting cast playing a pivotal role in its success, much like Team Flash did for The CW’s series. Among these characters, Freddie Stroma’s Vigilante emerges as the standout, stealing scenes with his comedic timing and unique persona. Vigilante, a quirky and endearing sidekick, was the breakout star of Season 1, providing a delightful contrast to Peacemaker's more serious undertones.
Despite his prominence in the first season, the trailer for Season 2 shows Vigilante taking a backseat. While John Cena and Jennifer Holland's Emilia Harcourt, who grapples with her rage, take center stage, Stroma's Adrian Chase appears to be working at a fast-food joint and wrestling with the lack of recognition for his heroic deeds. Fans are eager to see more of this beloved character, hoping his limited presence in the trailer doesn't reflect his role throughout the season.
Meeting the DCU Justice League ------------------------------The trailer kicks off with a surprising twist, showcasing Peacemaker at an open interview with the Justice League. Characters like Sean Gunn's Maxwell Lord, Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner, and Isabela Merced's Hawkgirl make appearances, displaying a dismissive attitude toward Peacemaker before he can even make his case.
This scene offers a deeper look at the Justice League's dynamics, presenting a team that's far more irreverent and humorous than the previous DCEU iteration. Gunn's influence is evident, drawing inspiration from the beloved Justice League International comics, where the focus is on an eclectic group of misfits rather than DC's most iconic heroes. This approach aligns perfectly with Peacemaker's tone.
Filmed possibly alongside Superman, this Justice League cameo likely won't be a recurring feature in Season 2, but it's a welcome glimpse into the team's chemistry. Isabela Merced's portrayal of Hawkgirl, in particular, promises to bring a refreshing and entertaining take on the character, a stark contrast to previous adaptations.
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The Return of Frank Grillo’s Rick Flagg, Sr.
Frank Grillo's portrayal of Rick Flagg, Sr., is proving to be a crucial thread in the DCU tapestry. Having played a significant role in Creature Commandos, he's set to make his live-action debut in Superman and will now serve as a central figure in Peacemaker Season 2.
Flagg appears to be the primary antagonist of the season, though his role is nuanced. As a father grieving the loss of his son and the new head of ARGUS, he brings both legal authority and moral justification to his conflict with Peacemaker. This setup promises a compelling narrative, with Peacemaker's past actions in The Suicide Squad haunting his quest for redemption. Viewers may find themselves sympathizing with Flagg's quest for vengeance against Team Peacemaker.
Making Sense of the DCU Timeline
The inclusion of Rick Flagg highlights how Peacemaker Season 2 directly builds on The Suicide Squad, bridging elements of the old DCEU with the new DCU. Despite the intent to start fresh, Gunn is retaining key aspects of his previous work, positioning The Suicide Squad as the unofficial inaugural DCU film.
A clearer timeline is emerging for the DCU, starting with The Suicide Squad in 2021, followed by Peacemaker Season 1 in 2022, Creature Commandos in 2024, Superman in July 2025, and Peacemaker Season 2 in August 2025. Subsequent projects like Lanterns and Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow will further expand this universe.
Gunn's commitment to preserving the integrity of his earlier projects is understandable, and as he mentioned in an interview with IGN, continuity is secondary to storytelling. "Hopefully there's authenticity and truth to those stories because we care about those stories, the characters, the actors, the performers, the animators," he stated. "They all care about these stories, but it's not real."
The challenge of integrating the DCEU's Justice League into Peacemaker Season 1 is addressed in Season 2. Gunn teased, "The truth is almost all of Peacemaker is canon with the exception of Justice League … which we will kind of deal with in the next season of Peacemaker."
Season 2 may leverage the multiverse concept to reconcile these continuity issues, particularly through a scene where Chris encounters another version of himself in his father's dimension. This flexibility allows Gunn to officially fold The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker Season 1 into the DCU, maintaining beloved characters like Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn and Viola Davis' Amanda Waller while redefining the universe.
By the conclusion of Peacemaker Season 2, the distinction between what is and isn't canon in the DCU should become more apparent. Fans are eagerly anticipating the return of the series, hoping for a robust presence of Vigilante and a thrilling continuation of the DCU's evolving narrative.
