In October 2022, Warner Bros. Pictures appointed James Gunn and Peter Safran as co-chairs and CEOs of DC Studios, marking a new era for the DC Universe under their leadership. Known for his success with Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy and the revitalization of The Suicide Squad, Gunn’s influence shapes the evolving James Gunn DC Universe timeline, blending select elements from past films while introducing new storylines starting in 2023.
Despite releasing only three official projects so far, Gunn and Safran’s DC Universe is already marked by intricate story arcs and complex character developments, with some previous DC films partially incorporated into this new continuity. Their announced slate sets a foundation that merges legacy and innovation, clarifying what stories will be canon moving forward.
The Suicide Squad’s Mission in Corto Maltese
James Gunn’s 2021 film The Suicide Squad lays foundational events for the new DC Universe timeline, even though some details are selectively canonical. The movie follows a squad made up of incarcerated meta-humans, including Bloodsport (Idris Elba), Col. Rick Flag Jr. (Joel Kinneman), Polka-Dot Man (David Dastmalchian), Rat Catcher 2 (Daniela Melchior), King Shark (Sylvester Stallone), Peacemaker (John Cena), and Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie). Under Amanda Waller’s (Viola Davis) orders, this group undertakes a mission to infiltrate the island nation Corto Maltese.
Their objective is to erase evidence of Project Starfish, a secret scientific experiment run by the country’s dictator. While retrieving this data concludes their initial orders, most squad members stay behind to combat Starro, an alien monster threatening to dominate the island. With assistance from Waller’s team, they manage to defeat Starro and utilize proof of U.S. involvement in the experiments to negotiate freedom from incarceration at Belle Reeve for the survivors.
Conflict Between Peacemaker and Col. Rick Flag
During the Corto Maltese operation, Peacemaker is tasked specifically to eliminate proof of the secret experiments at all costs. When Col. Rick Flag and Rat Catcher 2 discover the incriminating data first, a fatal clash ensues. Flag wants to reveal the U.S. government’s participation, but Peacemaker insists on destroying the evidence. Their confrontation ends with Peacemaker killing Flag, underscoring deep divisions within the squad and setting the stage for future tensions.
The 11th Street Kids’ Battle Against the Butterflies
In the first season of Peacemaker, Chris Smith (Peacemaker) awakens in a hospital after being shot in Corto Maltese. He is taken in by agents of the Advanced Research Group of the United States (A.R.G.U.S.), including Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) and John Economos (Steve Agee). The group soon joins forces with Mr. Murn (Chukwudi Iwuji) and Leota Adebayo (Danielle Brooks) to combat a covert alien invasion.
The aliens, known as the Butterflies, have secretly infiltrated Earth by possessing humans in various key positions across governments and institutions worldwide. Despite considerable obstacles, the team successfully eradicates the Butterfly threat, resulting in Chris gaining permanent freedom from incarceration.
Amanda Waller Faces Major Consequences
Although Peacemaker Season 1 sits mostly outside the strict DC Universe continuity, critical plot points carry over to future projects. Notably, Leota Adebayo publicly exposes her mother Amanda Waller’s illegal activities as director of A.R.G.U.S. by releasing files and issuing a statement. This revelation triggers severe repercussions for Waller’s position and influence both within A.R.G.U.S. and beyond.
Jaime Reyes’ Role as Blue Beetle Confirmed Canon
Blue Beetle is partially outside the official DC Universe canon, though some key elements are recognized within it. The film introduces Jaime Reyes (Xolo Maridueña), who bonds with an alien scarab to gain a powerful exoskeleton. While certain narrative choices, like the death of Jaime’s father, remain open to retcon, Maridueña is slated to reprise the role in an upcoming 2026 animated Blue Beetle series, affirming the character’s existence and origin within the DC Universe timeline.
Formation and Mission of the Creature Commandos
Approximately two years after Starro’s defeat and Rick Flag Jr.’s death, Amanda Waller forms a new team of Belle Reeve inmates. This group, known as the Creature Commandos, consists exclusively of non-human beings, sidestepping new restrictions imposed on human inmates. Led by General Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo), the team includes Weasel and G.I. Robot (both Sean Gunn), Dr. Phosphorous (Alan Tudyk), Nina Mazursky (Zoë Chao), and The Bride (Indira Varma).
The Creature Commandos’ debut mission centers on preventing the assassin Circe (Anya Chalotra) from killing Princess Ilana Rostovic (Maria Bakalova) of Pokolistan. However, the line between ally and adversary blurs when The Bride discovers Princess Ilana’s true sinister nature, culminating in violent confrontations involving Frankenstein (David Harbour) and further blurring loyalties and motives.
The Bride’s Impact and Leadership Shift
All members of the Creature Commandos survive their inaugural mission, marking the series as fully canonical within the James Gunn DC Universe. The group faces moral ambiguity when their assassination attempt kills Nina Mazursky instead of Princess Ilana. Despite General Flag’s initial doubts, The Bride confirms Ilana’s hostility by killing her and also takes Frankenstein’s life during the mission. Upon their return, John Economos informs The Bride that Amanda Waller wishes her to assume command of the squad moving forward, solidifying her influence in the new DC narrative.
Political Turmoil and the Rise of General Rick Flag Sr.
Between the events of Creature Commandos and Superman, General Rick Flag Sr. replaces Amanda Waller as director of A.R.G.U.S., playing a vital role in the evolving geopolitical landscape. Just before the Superman film, Clark Kent (David Corenswet) prevents an invasion by the fascist nation Boravia against its weaker neighboring country, Jarhanpur, illustrating the fragile international tensions.
Superman opens mid-battle between Clark and Ultra Man (also David Corenswet), a metahuman in Lex Luthor’s (Nicholas Hoult) employ disguised in alternative armor as the “Hammer of Boravia.” Although Ultra Man overpowers Superman initially, he spares his life, setting off a chain of events with significant consequences.
Superman Captured Amidst Rising Conflict
While Superman fends off a giant monster threatening Metropolis, Lex Luthor’s team, including Ultra Man and the Engineer (María Gabriela de Faría), infiltrate the Fortress of Solitude in Antarctica. They destroy the android guardians, abduct Superman’s canine companion Krypto, and retrieve a message sent from Clark’s Kryptonian birth parents, revealing a mandate for Clark to rule Earth.
Lex leaks this message publicly, framing Superman as a threat. Alarmed, the U.S. government and General Flag authorize Lex to detain Superman for questioning. Clark surrenders and is taken through an unstable portal to a pocket dimension, where Lex employs Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan) and kryptonite to restrain and torture him, shocking the world and causing great personal peril.
Lois Lane and Mr. Terrific’s Daring Rescue
Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), Clark’s colleague and secret partner, discovers his off-the-record captivity and teams up with Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi) to rescue him. After battling their way to one of Lex’s portal camps, they traverse the unstable pocket dimension, using advanced technology to locate Clark.
Meanwhile, Metamorpho, horrified by Lex’s cruelty, decides to assist Clark’s escape, motivated by hope for his infant son’s safety. The three break free together, retrieve Krypto, and reunite with Lois and Mr. Terrific, narrowly evading capture and returning safely from the dangerous realm.
Meta-Humans’ Strategic Actions and International Fallout
Following his ordeal, Superman and Mr. Terrific race to protect Metropolis from further incursions, confronting Lex’s forces, including Ultra Man and the Engineer. Their combined efforts succeed in closing the destabilizing portal and crippling Lex’s position in the city. Lois, Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo), and the Daily Planet expose Lex’s collaboration with Boravia, resulting in his public disgrace and arrest.
Simultaneously, Boravian troops mass on the Jarhanpur border, preparing an invasion. Superman delegates its defense to Green Lantern Guy Gardiner (Nathan Fillion), Hawk Girl (Isabela Merced), and Metamorpho. This team successfully repels the invasion, with Hawk Girl assassinating the Boravian president, dramatically shifting the geopolitical balance within the DC Universe.
Peacemaker’s Dimensional Adventures Continue
The forthcoming Peacemaker Season 2 is set after Superman. General Rick Flag Sr., fueled by vengeance over his son’s death, keeps Peacemaker under surveillance. After rejection by the Justice Society of America, Peacemaker discovers a portal in his father’s pocket dimension leading to an alternate universe where his father Auggie (Robert Patrick) and brother Keith (David Denman) are still alive.
Exploring this alternate reality reveals a stark contrast: in it, Nazis won World War II, and segregationist camps exist for people of color and others. Peacemaker’s alternate self holds a peaceful family life but attacks his counterpart upon meeting, leading to his accidental death. Panicked, Chris enlists Vigilante’s (Freddie Stroma) help to dispose of the body while A.R.G.U.S., alerted by increased portal activity, intensifies its search.
Uncovering a Dystopian Alternate Universe
Chris returns to the Nazi-dominated alternate world seeking refuge after his home is raided by A.R.G.U.S., with friends Leota Adebayo, John Economos, Emilia Harcourt, and Vigilante attempting to retrieve him. The group discovers the dark reality of this Nazi utopia before Chris resolves to return to his original dimension.
Their escape is complicated by confrontations with Keith and Auggie. Vigilante kills Auggie believing Economos is in danger, heightening tensions within the group but Chris prevents further violence, emphasizing deep personal conflicts amid global threats.
General Rick Flag’s Quest with Lex Luthor’s Aid
Determined to locate Chris and the pocket dimension, General Flag collaborates with Lex Luthor, gaining access to resources and personnel from Luthor’s network. They track the portal’s new location to Vigilante’s home, preparing to invade just as Chris and his group return.
Chris surrenders and claims his friends were working to bring him in, handing the mobile portal device to A.R.G.U.S. in an effort to contain the situation, marking a turning point in the unfolding political and dimensional struggle.
The Origins of Checkmate Emerge
Convinced he is responsible for those he lost, Chris initially isolates himself after being released from prison. However, his friends, led by Leota, assure him of his importance, and Harcourt’s feelings become evident even if she is hesitant to pursue a relationship.
Flag assigns his A.R.G.U.S. agents—including Harcourt, Sasha Bordeaux (Sol Rodriguez), Langston Fleury (Time Meadows), and Judomaster (Nhut Le)—to audit every door within the pocket dimension. As members perish due to the inherent dangers, Flag becomes increasingly fixated on his own agenda, presenting a new planet called Salvation to the Pentagon as a meta-human prison.
Bordeaux, disgusted by this exploitation, allies with the 11th Street Kids, Judomaster, and Fleury to establish Checkmate, an autonomous intelligence organization designed to counteract A.R.G.U.S.’s methods.
Peacemaker’s Fate in Salvation
Just as Checkmate gains momentum, Peacemaker Season 2 ends with a shocking development: General Flag and loyal A.R.G.U.S. personnel abduct Chris Smith during the night. They force him through the portal to Salvation, where he had unknowingly agreed to volunteer for testing its effects on humans by signing a release form hastily.
This cliffhanger leaves Peacemaker trapped in a mysterious, potentially perilous environment, while Checkmate remains unaware of his fate, setting the stage for turbulent developments in the James Gunn DC Universe timeline.
