The release of the Peacemaker season 2 trailer at SDCC 2025 offered fans the first official insight into the upcoming HBO series continuation and provided James Gunn with an opportunity to clarify where the new season fits within the evolving DC Universe (DCU) timeline. This clarification is especially important given the complex relationship between the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) and the freshly launched DCU under Gunn’s leadership.
Since James Gunn and Peter Safran were appointed co-CEOs of DC Studios in 2022, uncertainty has surrounded how projects like Peacemaker intersect with previous DCEU entries, which commenced with 2013’s Man of Steel and concluded, for now, with 2023’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Official plans indicate many elements from the old DCEU will be retconned or disregarded in favor of Gunn’s DCU vision, which officially started with his Superman film. However, a limited number of DCEU characters, storylines, and events—mostly tied to Gunn’s own The Suicide Squad—will be integrated into the new universe.
Reconciling Peacemaker’s Placement Between DCEU and DCU
Peacemaker’s situation adds a unique layer of complexity since its first season was established as part of the DCEU. This complicates the continuation of the series within the DCU framework, further muddled by Peacemaker’s cameo in Gunn’s DCU Superman movie. Fans have speculated wildly—ranging from multiverse theories to simple reboots—as they attempt to untangle the show’s timeline.
James Gunn recently addressed this confusion with a clearer explanation at SDCC 2025. He confirmed that Peacemaker season 2 occurs shortly after the Superman film, firmly positioning the show within the DCU timeline.
“Superman leads almost directly into the show,”
Gunn stated, adding,
“The show happens a month after the events in Superman…[Peacemaker] is definitely part of the DCU now.”
Clarifications and Canonical Boundaries in Season 2
While this linkage provides a timeline anchor, Gunn cautioned that some aspects of Peacemaker’s first season—such as specific DCEU cameos—will be either ignored or reinterpreted in the second season. Gunn said,
“There are certain things from the old universe that we refer to in Peacemaker season 2, but until then, they’re not canon,”
and that
“season 2 will explain everything that is or is not canon.”
This suggests an effort to sort through what parts of the prior season will remain relevant within the DCU and which will be retconned. Additionally, season 2 reportedly involves pocket universes, which may serve as a narrative tool to justify changes to character backgrounds or story events.
Overall, it appears Gunn intends to maintain continuity with much of Peacemaker’s initial story, avoiding the implication that the series exists in an entirely separate universe. However, Gunn has also reminded fans not to take these canonical debates too seriously, noting that viewers should keep in mind that “none of this is real” to prevent getting overly caught up in proving what fits or doesn’t in the timeline.
What Fans Can Expect When Season 2 Debuts
Peacemaker season 2 is set to premiere on HBO Max on August 21, and with Gunn’s clarifications, audiences can approach the new episodes understanding its placement soon after Superman within the DCU. As the show progresses, it is expected to delve deeper into these canonical distinctions, potentially using its multiverse elements to address inconsistencies from season one.
Should viewers encounter moments that seem confusing or contradictory, Gunn’s nod to classic pop culture humor provides a lighthearted perspective. As Lucy Lawless’s Xena once famously remarked on The Simpsons,
“Whenever you notice something like that, a wizard did it.”
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does James Gunn believe in God?
A. Gunn grew up in a Catholic household and has shared that prayer still matters to him. However, he describes himself as “in some ways, against religion.”
Q. Is James Gunn no longer with Marvel?
A. After the director was removed from the Guardians of the Galaxy series in 2018, Gunn believed his career had ended. Fortunately, in 2022, he and Peter Safran were chosen to lead DC Studios, providing him with another opportunity in superhero films. Toby Emmerich from Warner Bros.
Q. What is James Gunn’s religion?
A. In Gunn’s 2025 Superman adaptation, Ozu inspired the new CGI look for Krypto the Superdog. Gunn grew up in a Catholic family and still values prayer, although he describes himself as “partly against religion.”
Q. Is James Gunn still with Marvel?
A. James Gunn lost his position at Marvel because some old and offensive tweets he made were brought back to public attention.
