John Cena is coming back. Honestly, after the chaos of that first season finale—where Christopher Smith basically told the Justice League to go screw themselves—it felt like we’d be waiting forever. But here we are. Peacemaker Season 2 is officially in production, and it’s carrying a massive weight on its chrome-plated shoulders. It isn't just another sequel; it is the bridge between the old "Snyderverse" era and James Gunn’s brand-new DC Universe (DCU).
The first season was a miracle. It took a C-list villain everyone hated in The Suicide Squad and turned him into a tragic, Eagly-loving hero we actually cared about. Now, the stakes are weirdly higher. Gunn is running the whole studio now, which means the rules have changed.
The Canon Headache and Why It Actually Works
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Or the butterfly.
When the first season aired, it was firmly planted in the old DCEU. We saw Jason Momoa’s Aquaman and Ezra Miller’s Flash show up for a cameo. But since then, Gunn and Peter Safran have hit the giant reset button. So, how does Peacemaker Season 2 fit?
Gunn has been surprisingly blunt on social media about this. He’s confirmed that Season 1 isn’t "strictly" canon to the new DCU, but Season 2 will address the shift. It’s a bit of a meta-narrative headache, but if anyone can make a joke out of continuity errors, it’s Christopher Smith. Most of the core cast is returning, including Freddie Stroma’s Vigilante (thank god) and Danielle Brooks’ Leota Adebayo.
The transition is supposedly seamless. Gunn has mentioned that the events of Season 1 happened "mostly" the same way in the new timeline, but Season 2 picks up the pieces in a world where David Corenswet is Superman. It’s a bold move. Most franchises would just reboot and ignore the past. Gunn is leaning into the messiness.
Production Reality Check: When Is It Dropping?
Don't expect to see Chris Smith dancing in his underwear until at least late 2025 or early 2026.
Filming kicked off in early 2024. Gunn has been pulling double duty, directing Superman while simultaneously overseeing the scripts for Peacemaker. It’s a grueling schedule. Because of the overlap, Gunn isn't directing every single episode this time around, though he’s still the primary creative engine. Greg Mottola (Superbad) has been brought in to helm some of the episodes, which suggests the comedy is going to stay sharp and probably pretty uncomfortable.
Frank Grillo is the big addition.
He’s playing Rick Flag Sr. This is huge. If you remember (and how could you forget?), Peacemaker killed Rick Flag Jr. in the ruins of Jotunheim. Now, the father is coming for blood. Grillo is playing the character across multiple projects, including the animated Creature Commandos and the Superman movie. This makes Peacemaker Season 2 a central pillar of the new DC architecture. It's not just a side story anymore.
Why We Still Care About a Guy in a Toilet-Seat Helmet
There’s something deeply human about Chris Smith.
He’s a man who killed his father—a literal Nazi supervillain—and is now haunted by the ghost of that trauma. Literally. The end of the first season saw Peacemaker hallucinating White Dragon sitting on his porch. Season 2 has to deal with that psychological fallout. You can’t just walk away from a childhood of white supremacist indoctrination and murder without some serious brain rot.
The show works because it balances the absurd with the agonizing. One minute you’re watching a sentient eagle hug a man, and the next, you’re watching that man sob over a glass of cheap whiskey because he doesn't know how to be "good."
The Returning Crew
- John Cena: Obviously. He’s found his career-defining role here.
- Freddie Stroma: As Vigilante. The sociopath with a heart of... well, not gold, but maybe silver?
- Danielle Brooks: Adebayo is the moral compass, even if her mom (Amanda Waller) is the devil.
- Jennifer Holland & Steve Agee: Harcourt and Dye-Beard (Economos) are back to provide the disgruntled office energy we love.
The Grillo Factor: Rick Flag Sr.
Rick Flag Sr. isn't going to be a joke.
In the comics and the upcoming Creature Commandos, he’s a hardened military man. His presence in Season 2 changes the dynamic from "monster of the week" to a deeply personal revenge thriller. Peacemaker spent the first season trying to prove he’s a hero. How do you do that when the father of the man you murdered is hunting you down? It’s a collision course.
This isn't just about plot. It's about consequences. James Gunn has always been obsessed with the idea of found family vs. biological family. Peacemaker found a family in the 11th Street Kids. Now, the sins of his past (and his literal father's legacy) are coming to tear that apart.
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What to Expect From the Tone
Expect more hair metal.
The soundtrack for the first season was a love letter to 80s glam rock, and Gunn has already teased that he’s digging even deeper into his playlist for the sequel. The opening credits dance sequence? It’s being updated. Gunn confirmed a new dance is coming, which is honestly 50% of the reason people watch the show.
The humor will likely stay "R-rated." You don't cast Frank Grillo and keep John Cena in a lead role just to play it safe. But expect a darker undertone. The shift to the DCU means the world is getting bigger. We might see more references to the broader world of gods and monsters, but the heart of the show will stay in the dirt, the trailers, and the dive bars of evergreen suburban America.
Addressing the Rumors
Is Batman showing up? Probably not.
Will there be a crossover with Superman? Gunn has hinted at "connections," but don't expect a full-blown Justice League assembly.
The focus remains on the "street-level" weirdos. That's where the magic happens.
Practical Steps for Fans
If you want to be ready for the premiere, you can't just rewatch Season 1 and call it a day. The landscape has shifted too much.
First, watch Creature Commandos when it hits Max. It’s the first official entry in the DCU and features Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr. It sets the stage for his temperament and his history.
Second, keep an eye on the Superman (2025) news. Anything that happens in that movie regarding the public's perception of "superheroes" will directly impact how Peacemaker is treated by the government.
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Finally, track James Gunn’s Threads account. He’s notorious for debunking fake leaks and giving small, verified updates on filming progress. It’s the only place to get the "real" news without the filter of clickbait speculation.
The wait is long, but considering the quality of the first outing, giving Gunn the time to get the transition right is the best thing for the fans. Christopher Smith is coming back, and he’s still going to give peace a chance—no matter how many men, women, and children he has to kill to get it.