James Gunn, the American filmmaker and executive producer of Peacemaker, recently shared his thoughts on the challenging experience of directing a kiss involving his wife, Jennifer Holland, and co-star John Cena in the finale of Peacemaker Season 2. The intense moment between Holland’s character, Emilia Harcourt, and Cena’s Chris Smith was a highlight for fans, though Gunn admitted overseeing the scene was initially uncomfortable for him.
Behind-the-Scenes Challenges in Filming the Kiss
During a behind-the-scenes feature from HBO Max and DC Studios, Gunn explained the difficulty of managing such a personal scene on set. The kiss occurred in front of hundreds of extras, which added to his unease.
“It wasn’t only that I had to direct you kissing a man. It was that I had to direct you kissing a man in front of 200, 300 extras… I was uncomfortable about it, admittedly. I was like, I don’t want to do this,”
Gunn revealed.
Despite his initial discomfort, Gunn shifted his focus once filming began, concentrating on capturing the moment’s technical elements. The scene was shot using a Phantom camera to achieve slow-motion footage, presenting fresh creative challenges but also producing striking visuals.
“I ended up loving the shots. Honestly, some of the best visuals from the whole series came from that sequence,”
he said.
The Impact of the Scene and Jennifer Holland’s Role in Gunn’s Projects
The kiss takes place during a dramatic live concert scene on a boat, symbolizing the growing connection between Emilia Harcourt and Chris Smith, a moment fans had eagerly anticipated throughout the series. Jennifer Holland married James Gunn in October 2022 and has frequently appeared in his works, including The Suicide Squad (2021), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023), and as a voice actress in the recent Superman film.
Before Holland, Gunn was married to Jenna Fischer, known for her role in The Office, but their marriage ended after seven years. Peacemaker Season 2 premiered on August 21, 2025, and concluded on October 9, receiving a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The full season is currently available for streaming on HBO Max.
Looking Ahead After Peacemaker Season 2
James Gunn’s candid reflections on directing his wife’s kiss highlight the complex blend of personal and professional challenges filmmakers may face. The success of Peacemaker Season 2, bolstered by such memorable scenes, points to a promising continuation of Gunn’s storytelling within the DC universe. Fans can anticipate more compelling moments as the show progresses.
James Gunn speaks on letting his wife kiss John Cena in the final episode of Peacemaker
The show is created, written, and executive produced by James Gunn pic.twitter.com/YfAtVlE3CF
— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) October 14, 2025
