James Gunn Embraces Polarizing Peacemaker Nazi Twist Backlash

James Gunn has openly addressed the backlash he received after revealing a controversial Nazi twist in Season 2, Episode 6 of Peacemaker, currently streaming on HBO Max. This twist takes place within the DC Universe (DCU), depicting an alternate reality called Earth X where Nazi Germany triumphed in World War II, a bold narrative choice that has sparked mixed reactions from fans and critics alike.

James Gunn Explains Creative Freedom Behind Peacemaker’s Risks

In a recent interview with GQ magazine, James Gunn described how the team deliberately pushed boundaries with Peacemaker, choosing to explore challenging themes others might avoid. He said,

“I really do whatever I want with ‘Peacemaker’ — and I mean, in one respect, I do whatever I want with anything, because I am able to make my own choices and I’m my own boss. But with ‘Peacemaker,’ we really let it go. We take chances. We go to places where I think other people are afraid to go,”

highlighting his willingness to take creative risks. Gunn added,

“We got a lot of pushback from various sources within the structure, on this episode in particular, and we’re like, ‘Let’s not be bashful about this. Let’s just do the story that we want to do and I don’t want to have to pull punches with it.’”

Polarizing Response and Addressing Sensitive Topics Head-On

Gunn acknowledged receiving criticism from a small group of racists who found the storyline polarizing but expressed his comfort with the controversy it generated. He stated,

“And it’s interesting because there hasn’t been that sort of… I have a few racists that have called me polarizing, but I’m okay with being polarizing and letting racists fall to the wayside,”

emphasizing his readiness to face backlash in pursuit of meaningful storytelling. He further explained the delicate balance in the episode’s tone:

“People have loved this episode the most, so it’s exciting… Listen, we’re dealing with a very sensitive subject. We’re dealing with racism and at the same time, there’s humor in this episode. And so, you’re dealing with something very delicate and yet we’re not being delicate about it — but I don’t think we’re not being delicate in a non-thoughtful way. I think we’re being thoughtful about it.”

Behind the Scenes: Critical Test Screenings and Audience Reactions

After the episode aired, Gunn shared with Variety that he conducted private test screenings for Season 2 of Peacemaker to gauge whether viewers would catch hints leading to the Nazi twist. One subtle clue was that Earth X’s population consists solely of white people. However, Gunn revealed, no one noticed at all, including people of color. He added,

“And that was people of color, too, by the way. It wasn’t just, you know, the whites.”

Despite the initial oversight, some internet users eventually picked up on the all-white casting on Earth X. Gunn explained how one online viewer compared screenshots of Earth X against the regular DCU backgrounds and immediately pointed out the stark contrast. He said,

“It’s really hard when you’re online and one person out of the millions of people that are watching the show says, ‘Wait a second, here’s a screenshot of what it’s like in the alternate world, and here’s a screenshot of the background actors in the DCU,’ and you see the difference between them immediately. A lot of people don’t go online to talk about television. So I got a lot of comments of people that were freaked out. But a lot of people knew it was coming.”

Season 2’s Setting Builds on the Expanding DC Universe

The majority of the current season’s events unfold on Earth X, a stark alternative reality in which Nazi Germany emerged victorious, marking a new and provocative addition to the DC Universe. The season takes place after Gunn’s recent Superman film, with Nicholas Hoult making an appearance as Lex Luthor in a cameo role, connecting broader DCU storylines.

This startling Nazi-themed storyline highlights Gunn’s intent to confront challenging historical and racial issues through a fantastical lens, merging drama with dark humor. The show’s provocative approach has encouraged vigorous discussion about the impact and responsibilities of storytelling within superhero media.

Ongoing Episodes Continue to Challenge Viewers on HBO Max

Peacemaker releases new episodes every Thursday on HBO Max, continuing to explore complex themes and expand its alternate universe narrative. With Gunn’s commitment to unflinching storytelling and embracing polarizing material, the series is expected to maintain its bold and thought-provoking tone through the remainder of the season.