The finale of Peacemaker Season 2 on HBO Max shattered expectations, introducing a multiverse-spanning twist that reshaped the series’ landscape. During a post-finale press conference, James Gunn shared insights into the episode’s creation, particularly the striking dimensional doors sequence that has captivated fans and sparked widespread analysis.
The Creation of the Multiverse Door Sequence
James Gunn explained the origins of the various universes featured in the finale, revealing how specific story elements influenced their design. Gunn pointed to a mention from early in the season, saying,
“Sometimes I’m having something that’s a part of the story,”
highlighting Auggie 2’s comment about visiting “the little imp land” to grab a giant peppermint stick, which was later revealed to be an actual location within the episode’s multiverse.
One of the most unforgettable visuals from the finale was this “little imp land,” a candy-colored but nightmarish setting, combining bizarre humor with deep emotional weight. Gunn elaborated,
“I wanted to show that, but show it in a way that was hellish. It reminded me of a lot of the Hong Kong category three movies I loved when I was younger — able to blend this absolutely batshit crazy stuff with true tragedy, with Klein getting killed, and the sadness of Harcourt and Fleury, and then the change in Fleury that leads to his ending.”
This sequence stood out for its emotional intensity amid its surreal design, illustrating Peacemaker at its most extreme.
The Near-Miss Deadpool Crossover
Gunn also revealed one of the universes that narrowly missed inclusion in the finale. In a surprising disclosure, he shared his desire to include a Deadpool cameo.
“Yeah, I wanted them to open the door and see Deadpool in a room. I talked to Ryan Reynolds about it — we would have had to go through some pretty big hoops to do that. He wanted to do it!”
Gunn stated. This potential crossover, while unfulfilled, highlighted the playful and meta spirit Gunn brings to Peacemaker. Even without Deadpool, the finale’s multiverse montage set a precedent for the expanding DC Universe (DCU).
Introducing Salvation and Checkmate to the DCU
The finale also served as an introduction to two critical components of Gunn’s developing DCU: the off-world prison Salvation and the clandestine agency Checkmate. Gunn confirmed that both elements were integral to his long-term vision from the outset.
“Those were always part of the season. Even before I sat down with the writers’ room, I had sort of mapped out what I thought the general story was, and two important aspects to that were Checkmate and especially Salvation.”
Salvation, inspired by the comic The Salvation Run, is presented as a nearly inescapable prison for metahumans. Gunn expressed fascination with this concept, explaining,
I liked the idea of creating this prison that was absolutely inescapable. They think it’s safe, but it’s not. And I liked the idea of creating another environment where people considered bad metahumans have to figure out a new way to create a society.
Looking ahead, Gunn outlined how Salvation will shape the forthcoming narratives within the DCU, focusing on the challenges of containing metahumans. He said,
It is really about the concept,
elaborating further:
“There’s a very distinct storyline with the Joker vs. Lex Luthor and all that. But it’s not, it’s not that. The part that really spoke to me was the beginning of it, where in that version, Rick Flag Jr. and Amanda Waller were like, ‘Fuck it. Metahumans are a pain in the ass. They keep escaping. Let’s just get rid of them permanently,’ and they send them to the other place. And of course, there are a bunch of repercussions about sending a bunch of bad guys to another dimension. And in this case, the sole person there right now is a good guy who has to survive on his own.”
The Impact on the DC Universe Moving Forward
With the Peacemaker Season 2 Finale expanding the DC Universe’s mythology through its multiverse revelations, new organizations, and ominous settings, James Gunn is setting the stage for a broader, interconnected storyline. The introduction of Salvation and Checkmate not only deepens the narrative complexity but also suggests future story arcs involving central characters like Rick Flag Jr., Amanda Waller, and notable villains such as Lex Luthor and the Joker.
Peacemaker Seasons 1 and 2 are now available on HBO Max, allowing fans to experience the evolution of Christopher Smith’s story alongside these dramatic new developments. John Cena leads the cast as Peacemaker, with Danielle Brooks portraying Leota Adebayo, both key players in this expanding tale.
