The first teaser for Season 2 of Peacemaker showcases John Cena’s character grappling with how to win over the Justice League. This follows the Emmy-nominated series created by James Gunn, which is a continuation of his 2021 film, The Suicide Squad. While familiar characters return, this season is described as a “soft reboot” within the framework of the new DC Universe (DCU) franchise.
(Spoilers for S1 and The Suicide Squad follow.)
The inaugural eight-episode season took place five months after The Suicide Squad, with Christopher Smith—aka Peacemaker—finding himself recovering from a near-fatal experience. He is drafted by the U.S. government for a secretive mission dubbed Project Butterfly, spearheaded by mercenary Clemson Murn (Chukwudi Iwuji). The operation also features A.R.G.U.S agent John Economos (Steve Agee), NSA official and former aide Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland), and newcomer Leota Adebayo (Danielle Brooks).
Project Butterfly involved a battle against extraterrestrial creatures resembling parasitic butterflies that were capable of taking over human hosts. The team ultimately succeeded in eliminating the threat during a dramatic confrontation at a ranch, enduring their share of injuries in the process.
Establishing a spinoff centered on a villain like Peacemaker, who was responsible for the death of Rick Flagg (Joel Kinnaman) in The Suicide Squad, was a daring decision. However, initial skepticism regarding the show’s potential soon dissipated. My review in 2022 noted, “Gunn has expertly transformed this seemingly irredeemable character, guiding him through an emotional journey that made audiences connect with him—all amidst a backdrop of action and irreverence that delivers exceptional entertainment.” This sentiment was widely shared, leading HBO Max to greenlight a second season shortly before the first season concluded, despite its original intent as a limited series.
With Gunn and Peter Safran now at the helm of DC Studios, plans are in motion for a decade-long vision for the DC Universe, which commences with this year’s Superman. The upcoming second season of Peacemaker will build on the narrative established in that film. Fans can also expect a fresh opening title sequence featuring a new song, replacing the beloved original that showcased the cast dancing to “Do You Wanna Taste It?” by Norwegian band Wig Wam.
Returning for Season 2 are Cena, Brooks, Holland, Agee, and Stroma, along with Nhut Lee as Judomaster and the beloved Eagly. Robert Patrick also returns as Chris’s father, Auggie, despite his character’s death in the first season. One can speculate that Auggie’s appearances might be through flashbacks, hallucinations, or perhaps alternate realities—as it’s a soft reboot, after all. New cast members joining the fold include Frank Grillo as Rick Flagg Sr., now seeking vengeance for his son’s demise; Tim Meadows as A.R.G.U.S. agent Langston Fleury; and Sol Rodriguez as Sasha Bordeaux.
The teaser, accompanied by the track “Oh Lord” by Foxy Shazam, opens with Leota taking Chris to a job interview and expressing optimism about his prospects. The interview, however, is with Justice League members Green Lantern/Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl/Kendra Saunders (Isabel Merced), and Maxwell Lord (Sean Gunn), who appear disinterested and critical of Chris’s qualifications, inadvertently disparaging him while the microphone remains on. All three actors reprise their roles from Superman, but their exact involvement in the season is yet to be clarified.
Other team members face their own struggles as well. After saving the world from the Butterflies, one would expect a warmer reception. Instead, Leota finds herself “living in the worst level of Grand Theft Auto,” while Emilia Harcourt grapples with anger management issues linked to “a particularly severe form of toxic masculinity.” Vigilante’s new career path finds him working in food service. The tantalizing plot hints at Chris being pursued by A.R.G.U.S., culminating in a scene where he walks through a door to meet another version of himself, hinting at twists to come.
The second season of Peacemaker is set to premiere on Max on August 21, 2025.
