James Gunn, director of The Suicide Squad and the Peacemaker series, recently clarified how much of David Ayer’s 2016 Suicide Squad film is officially considered canon within the DC Universe. This discussion arose after Peacemaker Season 2 included unexpected references to Ayer’s movie, prompting fans to question which parts carry forward in the evolving storyline.
Peacemaker References Raise Questions About Continuity
During an interview on Phase Zero: A Film & TV Podcast, host Brandon Davis highlighted how Peacemaker still features Joel Kinnaman’s character, Rick Flag Jr., maintaining a romantic connection with Cara Delevingne’s June Moone, also known as the Enchantress, as depicted in the 2016 film. Gunn responded by admitting some regret over this choice, citing changes in character dynamics.
“Yeah, I know. And then, sometimes I regret it, because it was like, obviously, our June Moone still has sorceress powers. He’s [Flag Jr.] cheating on her. It’s not the great love story it was presented as in David’s movie. So, it’s like there are some differences there.”
— James Gunn, filmmaker
Gunn elaborated that within a universe filled with metahumans, it’s believable that a soldier like Flag Jr. would be attracted to someone with supernatural abilities.
“this good-looking guy, who’s a soldier, and it seems like he would be attracted to a metahuman girl.”
— James Gunn, filmmaker
Uncertain Boundaries of Suicide Squad’s Canonical Elements
When Davis probed whether more elements of Ayer’s Suicide Squad could be considered loosely canonical, Gunn admitted the lines become increasingly vague the further back one goes. He revealed that even while developing The Suicide Squad in 2021, discussions were ongoing about which elements to preserve within the franchise’s canon.
Regarding the fate of characters such as David Dastmalchian’s Polka-Dot Man, who died in the 2021 film, Gunn expressed hesitation about bringing back deceased characters, believing it complicates the continuity too much.
Nevertheless, he pointed out that actors like Nathan Fillion and Michael Rooker have reappeared in new roles despite their original characters dying, which suggests the possibility of Dastmalchian returning in a different part.
James Gunn’s Approach to Shaping Suicide Squad’s Future in the DCU
While some influence from David Ayer’s original Suicide Squad remains, Gunn makes it clear that not every detail carries over directly into the DC Universe canon. The boundaries of what is considered canon are indistinct, leaving room for reinterpretation and change. As Gunn continues to develop The Suicide Squad franchise, he is deliberately carving out a unique path forward, blending familiar figures with new storytelling directions.
