James Gunn has confirmed that the Peacemaker Season 2 finale connects significantly to the upcoming Superman sequel, Man of Tomorrow, by introducing key plot elements that bridge the two stories within the DC Universe. The finale’s events set the stage for new conflicts and alliances, expanding the narrative scope of Gunn’s DCU connections.
In Peacemaker Season 2, John Cena’s character Christopher Smith faces intense personal challenges, including confronting family trauma and navigating an alternate dimension. The season culminates with Rick Flag Sr., portrayed by Frank Grillo, seeking vengeance for his son’s death. The final episode, titled Salvation, hints at a broader cosmic mystery that is expected to intertwine with other DC projects like Lanterns and Creature Commandos Season 2.
While Peacemaker’s connections to future DCU installments have been made clear, the prospects of its spin-off series Waller remain uncertain. Actor Steve Agee, who plays John Economos, recently indicated that the spin-off is still deeply in development without a clear timeline for continuation. Meanwhile, Gunn has mentioned that some original DCU plans announced in early 2023 have evolved, with particular projects advancing quickly, such as Supergirl and Clayface, while others stall.
Among the confirmed moving parts, the Superman sequel, Man of Tomorrow, written and directed by Gunn, is progressing as planned. Scheduled to release two years after the previous installment, this film will incorporate several narrative threads introduced in Peacemaker’s latest season.
Three Key Connections Between Peacemaker Season 2 and Man of Tomorrow
James Gunn detailed three main ways the Peacemaker finale feeds directly into the upcoming Superman film, creating important crossover points within the expanding DCU.
Rick Flag’s New Alliance with Lex Luthor
Gunn confirmed that the alliance between Rick Flag Sr. and Lex Luthor is a crucial link to Man of Tomorrow. In the Peacemaker finale, Flag proposes using the newly discovered planet Salvation as a prison to contain metahumans, a plan Lex Luthor eagerly backs for his own hidden objectives. This alliance, though ostensibly about protecting humanity and avenging Flag’s son, is complicated by Lex’s manipulation, aimed at undermining Superman and other metahumans.
This uneasy partnership is expected to become a central tension in Man of Tomorrow, where Clark Kent and Lex Luthor are likely to join forces under fraught circumstances. The narrative appears poised to explore a dual protagonist dynamic between Clark and Lex, reflecting their complex relationship.
Christopher Smith’s Fate on the Planet Salvation
The finale ends with Christopher Smith, aka Peacemaker, stranded on the enigmatic planet Salvation. Gunn emphasized the importance of this plot point, noting that Salvation will play a significant role in the DC Universe moving forward. He acknowledged Smith’s situation on the planet through social media, implying it may have implications in Man of Tomorrow.
Salvation is depicted as a dangerous locale, inhabited by creatures and potential villains, suggesting that Smith’s survival amid these threats could influence future storylines. While Gunn left it unclear how central Peacemaker himself will be to the film, the planet’s presence promises to be a critical element in the unfolding DCU narrative.
The Transformation of the 11th Street Kids into Checkmate
The conclusion of Peacemaker Season 2 sees the 11th Street Kids evolve into a formal organization known as Checkmate, deeply inspired by the chess-themed covert agency from the comics. This groups’ shift from vigilante activity to a coordinated team marks their integration into the larger DCU framework.
With funding supplied by Vigilante’s resources, this new Checkmate includes members such as Sasha Bordeaux (Sol Rodriguez), Langston Fleury (Tim Meadows), and Judomaster (Nhut Le), all working together to address emerging global threats. The creation of Checkmate introduces an organized force prepared to influence major events, potentially intersecting with the Superman sequel’s storylines.
Man of Tomorrow: Anticipated Plotlines and Challenges
The plot of Man of Tomorrow may feature Brainiac, the highly intelligent android villain, targeting Earth and the planet Salvation in pursuit of ultimate knowledge and power. Brainiac’s interest in preserving entire cities in bottles and exploiting Salvation’s energy creates a scenario requiring a fragile alliance between Superman (David Corenswet) and Lex Luthor.
This partnership is expected to balance Lex’s cunning strategizing against Brainiac’s intellect, while Superman confronts the physical threat. The involvement of Peacemaker characters like Christopher Smith and Rick Flag Sr. remains uncertain, but the film will likely feature a broad crossover of characters introduced in earlier DCU projects.
The interconnected storytelling unveiled by James Gunn not only deepens the narrative fabric of the DCU but also highlights his influence as the architect of this expanding universe. By linking Peacemaker’s finale directly to Man of Tomorrow, Gunn sets up a complex and engaging direction for DC fans to anticipate in the coming years.
