James Gunn recently discussed with Rotten Tomatoes the reasons for replacing the Justice League with the Justice Gang in Peacemaker season 2, highlighting the chaotic state of the DCEU when he created the first season. At that time, there was no clear leadership guiding the franchise’s direction, allowing him more creative freedom.
Leadership Void in the DCEU During Peacemaker’s Development
In 2017, director Zack Snyder left his role on Justice League and his broader responsibility over the DCEU due to a personal family tragedy. Joss Whedon was hired to complete the Justice League movie, but no one took on Snyder’s ongoing role as the DCEU’s creative overseer. This resulted in a lack of centralized control over the franchise’s continuity and planning.
Uncertain Direction Following Attempts to Revive the DCEU
Afterward, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and his team sought to steer the DCEU creatively, but their efforts faltered after Black Adam’s poor performance at the box office. This failure further deepened the uncertainty surrounding the DCEU’s future and left projects like Peacemaker in a transitional space without firm franchise guidelines.
Creative Freedom Allowed Peacemaker’s Unique Development
Gunn explained that Peacemaker existed in a kind of “in-between” space within DC, separate from a fully structured universe. He said,
“Peacemaker was always in a weird place. People say he was part of the DCEU but he wasn’t really. He was part of this in-between Universe of DC when there was nobody really making sure that everything was connected and at a time when they were going to rewrite everything with The Flash. We were kind of able to do whatever we wanted and we had that brash ending, which I loved, it was one of my favorite things from the whole season, but it just didn’t fit in with the DCU. And Peacemaker, there’s hardly anything else that you need to change for him, he can slide very easily into the DCU, same with Blue Beetle. They just kind of fit in very nicely, we just have to retcon a couple of things.”
—James Gunn, Director and Writer
This flexibility was key to the show’s bold storytelling choices and unexpected plot shifts.
The Future of Peacemaker and Blue Beetle in the DC Universe
The comment that Peacemaker and Blue Beetle can easily integrate into the DCU offers reassurance about their continued presence despite the ongoing reshuffle. Blue Beetle is particularly noteworthy as one of the DCEU’s stronger recent films, although its impact was muted by poor timing after the announcement that the DCEU would be ending.
Implications for the DCEU’s Reboot Plans
The loose plans to reboot the entire DCEU with The Flash underline the uncertain and evolving nature of the franchise. Gunn’s insight reveals how these leadership gaps and shifts have directly influenced creative decisions, including the Justice Gang‘s formation. Fans and observers can expect continued redefinitions as the DC Universe moves forward under new direction.
