"Peacemaker Season 2 Trailer Reveals DCU Timeline and More"

Summer 2025 is set to be an exhilarating period for DC enthusiasts. Following the cinematic debut of Superman and the introduction of James Gunn and Peter Safran's DCU, fans can look forward to the return of "Peacemaker" for its second season. John Cena reprises his role as the peace-loving yet gun-toting Christopher Smith, joined by many familiar faces from the first season.

The first trailer for Peacemaker Season 2 offers a glimpse into the upcoming plot and its connections to both the first season and Gunn's "The Suicide Squad." From new insights into the DCU timeline and Rick Flagg's role as the "villain" to the noticeable absence of Vigilante, let's delve into the key highlights from the trailer.

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Freddie Stroma’s Vigilante in Peacemaker Season 2

Labeling John Cena's Christopher Smith as the least interesting character in "Peacemaker" would be an injustice. He embodies a fascinating paradox: a man who advocates for peace while engaging in violent conflict, and a classic Gunn-style character with a hidden heart of gold. Yet, despite the show's focus on its titular character, "Peacemaker" thrives as an ensemble piece, much like "The Flash" series on The CW, which relied heavily on its Team Flash dynamic.

Among the supporting cast, Freddie Stroma's Vigilante emerged as the standout in Season 1. His portrayal as a humorous counterpart to Peacemaker, a clingy best friend with superhero potential yet a deeply flawed individual, captured audiences' hearts. While the series may not adhere strictly to the comic book version of Vigilante, his entertaining presence is undeniable.

It's somewhat disappointing to see less of Stroma's character in the trailer. While Cena naturally takes center stage and Jennifer Holland's Emilia Harcourt showcases her struggle with anger, Vigilante is pushed to the background. We see him working at a fast food restaurant, grappling with the realization that saving the world doesn't guarantee fame. Hopefully, his role in the season will be more substantial than the trailer suggests.

Meeting the DCU Justice League

The trailer kicks off with an unexpected scene: Peacemaker attending an open interview with the Justice League. Sean Gunn's Maxwell Lord, Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner, and Isabela Merced's Hawkgirl are present, and they seem to dismiss Peacemaker before he can even make his case.

This scene provides a deeper look into the Justice League's dynamics than the Superman trailer does. This version of the Justice League is markedly different from the one briefly seen in Season 1, showcasing a more sarcastic and irreverent group that fits the "Peacemaker" tone better than the previous DCEU iteration.

James Gunn draws inspiration from DC's beloved Justice League International comics, emphasizing a team of eclectic misfits rather than the usual lineup of top-tier heroes. These characters seek the legitimacy that comes with being part of the Justice League. It's likely that Gunn filmed this scene during the production of "Superman," making it easier to bring together the cast. While the Justice League may not play a major role in Season 2 beyond Peacemaker's failed tryout, it's exciting to see their dynamic and the humor Isabela Merced brings to Hawkgirl, promising a more enjoyable take on the character than the Arrowverse's version.

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The Return of Frank Grillo’s Rick Flagg, Sr.

Frank Grillo's Rick Flagg, Sr. is becoming a pivotal figure in the DCU. After his significant role in the "Creature Commandos" animated series and his upcoming live-action debut in "Superman," Flagg is set to be a central antagonist in "Peacemaker" Season 2. Positioned as the main "villain," Flagg's motivations stem from mourning his son's murder and his new role as the head of ARGUS, giving him both legal authority and moral justification in his conflict with Peacemaker.

This setup promises a compelling dynamic for Season 2. Despite Peacemaker's desire to be seen as a changed man and a true hero, his past actions in "The Suicide Squad" cannot be overlooked. The question remains: will viewers sympathize with Flagg's quest for revenge against Team Peacemaker?

Making Sense of the DCU Timeline

The inclusion of Rick Flagg highlights how "Peacemaker" Season 2 directly builds on "The Suicide Squad." Despite the DCU's aim to start fresh, elements from the previous DCEU are retained, with "The Suicide Squad" now serving as the unofficial first DCU movie due to its frequent references in the new universe.

A clear timeline is emerging for the DCU: "The Suicide Squad" in 2021, "Peacemaker" Season 1 in 2022, "Creature Commandos" in 2024, "Superman" in July 2025, and "Peacemaker" Season 2 in August 2025. Following this, the DCU will expand with projects like "Lanterns" and "Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow."

James Gunn is keen on preserving the work done on "The Suicide Squad" and "Peacemaker" Season 1, despite the new continuity. As Gunn mentioned in an interview with IGN, canon is not the be-all and end-all. "Hopefully there's authenticity and truth to those stories because we care about those stories, the characters, the actors, the performers, the animators," he said. "They all care about these stories, but it's not real."

Gunn acknowledges the challenge posed by the DCEU Justice League's cameo in "Peacemaker" Season 1. He plans to address this continuity issue in Season 2, possibly through a scene where Peacemaker encounters another version of himself in his father's dimension, hinting at the use of the multiverse to resolve these discrepancies.

Apart from the Justice League cameo, there's little stopping Gunn from integrating "The Suicide Squad" and "Peacemaker" Season 1 into the new DCU canon. "The Suicide Squad" is already a standalone project, with only a few connections to the larger DCEU, allowing Gunn to retain actors like Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, John Cena as Peacemaker, and Viola Davis as Amanda Waller. Recasting Harley Quinn would be unnecessary given Robbie's well-received portrayal, though the same cannot be said for the Joker.

By the end of "Peacemaker" Season 2, the DCU's canon should be much clearer. Fans eagerly await the series' return, hoping for more of Vigilante's presence.