John Cena revealed that James Gunn originally intended to kill off Peacemaker at the conclusion of The Suicide Squad, but their enjoyable collaboration led Gunn to break his key rule about character deaths. Despite the character seeming to meet his end, Gunn chose to bring Peacemaker back, launching a new series continuing the story.
From Death Scene to Television Revival
At Fan Expo Denver, Cena shared that James Gunn did not initially have him in mind and had Peacemaker die in the film’s closing moments. However, their experience working together was so positive that Gunn overturned his principle of never resurrecting a character who had been killed off. A post-credits scene in The Suicide Squad hinted that Peacemaker survived, setting up the HBO Max series that debuted in 2022 and picks up after the movie’s events.
This series remained part of the official DC canon even after a major restructuring of the DC Universe under Gunn and Peter Safran, which included significant recasting of other prominent superheroes.
Expanding Storylines and New Challenges in Peacemaker Season Two
The second season brings Peacemaker into multiverse adventures while introducing new conflicts, such as the pursuit by Rick Flag Sr., played by Frank Grillo, who seeks revenge for the death of his son, Rick Flag Jr., in The Suicide Squad. The show continues to explore complex character relationships and expand the larger DC narrative.
Season two is scheduled to debut on HBO Max on August 21, promising to build on the established storylines and character development from the first season and the feature film.
Impact of James Gunn’s Creative Decisions and Future Prospects
Breaking a major rule by bringing back Peacemaker underscores James Gunn’s evolving approach to storytelling within the DC Universe, blending film and television projects for cohesive continuity. The decision allowed for continued character growth and strengthened the collaboration between Gunn and John Cena, leading to further creative opportunities.
With the Peacemaker series firmly established as canon amid the DCU’s overhaul, future projects are likely to incorporate elements from the show, maintaining Cena’s role as the complex anti-hero. As the multiverse and character arcs expand in season two, fans can expect deeper connections across the franchise’s evolving landscape.
“James didn’t have me in mind at first. And then he killed me in The Suicide Squad,”
—John Cena, actor
“And we had so much fun making that movie, he broke his rule of never bring back someone you killed. So, for someone to expect very little out of me and choose me last, and for me to make such an impression on such a brilliant creative mind that he breaks a cardinal rule that he has, and for us to go on to do good work together and develop a great friendship, man, that’s one hell of a day at the office.”
—John Cena, actor
