The season 2 finale of Peacemaker, which aired recently, narrowly missed featuring an unexpected cameo that fans never saw coming. A potential Ryan Reynolds Deadpool cameo was nearly included, which would have been a historic crossover moment, but the idea ultimately fell through due to complex rights issues.
Missed Opportunity for a Surprising Appearance
In “Full Nelson,” the finale episode of Peacemaker season 2, Rick Flag Sr. uses stolen Quantum Unfolding Chamber technology to locate a new dimension with a breathable atmosphere, intending to create a prison for metahumans. The episode follows his team as they enter various doors leading to dangerous encounters, such as interdimensional imps and flesh-eating zombies.
During a virtual press conference, director James Gunn revealed the almost-cameo inclusion of Deadpool. He said,
“I wanted them to open the door and see Deadpool in a room,”
explaining that he had spoken directly with Ryan Reynolds about it.
“I talked to Ryan Reynolds about it. But I would’ve had to go through some pretty, pretty big hoops to do that. He wanted to do it!”
Gunn admitted the decision to reveal the idea might cause fan frustration, adding,
“Oh, that’s all anybody’s gonna talk about now, is f*cking Deadpool in the other room. I should’ve never said it.”
The Challenges Behind the Crossover
This nearly realized cameo would have marked the first live-action crossover between DC and Marvel universes, a notable feat given the long-standing separation between the two. However, the complexity of intellectual property rights made this impossible—Ryan Reynolds himself does not own the rights to his Deadpool character.
Future Elements and Story Direction
James Gunn also discussed how the DC Comics storyline Salvation Run will influence the ongoing DC Universe. Although not a direct adaptation, Gunn explained,
“It really is about the concept,”
highlighting the thematic core where Rick Flag Jr. and Amanda Waller express frustration with metahumans, stating,
“[frick] it. Metahumans are a pain in the ass. They keep escaping. Let’s just get rid of them permanently.”
He also explained the story’s consequences:
“And of course, there are a bunch of repercussions about sending a bunch of bad guys to another dimension. In this case, kind of, you know, the sole person there right now is a good guy who has to survive on his own.”
What Lies Ahead for Peacemaker and the DC Universe
Although Peacemaker season 2 ends on a significant cliffhanger involving John Cena’s character, there are currently no confirmed plans for a third season. Gunn shared,
“This is about the other stories in which this [cliffhanger] will play out,”
but also cautioned,
“Never say never. But right now, this is about the future of the DCU.”
The season builds on Chris Smith’s journey as a vigilante superhero struggling with both his traumatic past and evolving sense of purpose. Through the discovery of an alternate world representing everything he aspires to, Peacemaker faces difficult choices about his own future.
As summarized,
“The new season follows Christopher ‘Chris’ Smith, aka Peacemaker, the vigilante Super Hero as he struggles to reconcile his past with his newfound sense of purpose while continuing to kick righteous evil-doer butt in his misguided quest for peace at any cost.”
Additionally,
“In season 2, Peacemaker discovers an alternate world where life is everything he wishes it could be. But this discovery also forces him to face his traumatic past and take the future into his own hands.”
The near inclusion of a Ryan Reynolds Deadpool cameo illustrates both the creative ambition behind Peacemaker and the complicated realities of media rights, leaving fans to wonder what could have been in this unique moment of potential crossover thrill. As Peacemaker’s story moves forward within the broader DCU framework, audiences will be watching closely for how these threads unfold.
