"Peacemaker Season 2 Trailer Reveals DCU Timeline and More"

Summer 2025 promises an exhilarating time for DC enthusiasts. Hot on the heels of the theatrical release of Superman, marking the live-action introduction of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DCU, fans can look forward to the much-anticipated return of Peacemaker. John Cena reprises his role as the gun-wielding, peace-advocating Christopher Smith, joined by many familiar faces from Season 1.

The first trailer for Peacemaker Season 2 offers a glimpse into the upcoming plot, connecting it not only to the first season but also to Gunn's The Suicide Squad. From new insights into the DCU timeline and Rick Flagg's antagonistic role to the noticeable absence of Vigilante, the trailer reveals several key points that deserve closer examination.

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View 39 ImagesFreddie Stroma’s Vigilante in Peacemaker Season 2

John Cena's portrayal of Christopher Smith, Peacemaker, is anything but dull. His character embodies a paradoxical nature, advocating for peace while engaging in violent conflict. Beneath his quirky exterior lies a heart of gold, a signature trait of James Gunn's character development.

However, Peacemaker is more than just its titular hero; it thrives on its ensemble cast. Just as The CW’s The Flash depended on its Team Flash, Peacemaker benefits greatly from its supporting characters. Among them, Freddie Stroma's Vigilante stands out as a scene-stealer. A breakout star from Season 1, Vigilante serves as a humorous counterpart to Peacemaker, offering a mix of comic relief and poignant moments. While not a faithful adaptation of the comic book character, his entertaining presence more than compensates.

It's somewhat disappointing to see less of Vigilante in the trailer. While Cena's Peacemaker naturally commands attention, and Jennifer Holland's Emilia Harcourt grapples with her anger, Vigilante, portrayed by Stroma, seems sidelined. We see him working at a fast food joint, grappling with the reality that saving the world doesn't bring fame. Fans would have appreciated more screen time for this beloved character, and we hope the trailer doesn't reflect his overall role in the season.

The trailer kicks off with a surprising twist, as Peacemaker attends an open interview with the Justice League. Sean Gunn’s Maxwell Lord, Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner, and Isabela Merced’s Hawkgirl make appearances, showcasing their skepticism towards Peacemaker from the start.

This scene offers a deeper look into the Justice League's dynamics than the Superman trailer did. Unlike the brief appearance in Season 1, this Justice League exudes a more sarcastic and irreverent vibe, perfectly suiting the tone of Peacemaker. Gunn draws heavily from the beloved Justice League International comics, emphasizing a team of eclectic misfits rather than the traditional assembly of DC's greatest heroes. These characters seek the legitimacy that membership in the Justice League offers.

Likely filmed during the Superman production, this cameo doesn’t suggest a major ongoing role for the Justice League in Peacemaker Season 2. Nevertheless, it's delightful to witness the team's dynamics and the humor Isabela Merced brings to Hawkgirl, a stark contrast to the Arrowverse's less successful portrayal. The new Justice League is shaping up to be a vibrant addition to the DCU.

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View 9 ImagesThe Return of Frank Grillo’s Rick Flagg, Sr.

Frank Grillo’s Rick Flagg, Sr. emerges as a pivotal figure across the DCU. From his role in the Creature Commandos animated series to his live-action debut in Superman, Flagg now steps into Peacemaker Season 2 as a central figure, seemingly cast as the main antagonist.

However, labeling Flagg as a "villain" might be an oversimplification given his motivations. As a grieving father seeking justice for his murdered son and the new head of ARGUS, he has both the legal authority and moral justification to oppose Peacemaker. This sets up an intriguing dynamic for Season 2, as Peacemaker struggles with his past actions in The Suicide Squad and his aspirations to be a legitimate hero. The question remains: how much will viewers sympathize with Flagg's quest for vengeance against Team Peacemaker?

Making Sense of the DCU Timeline

Season 2 directly builds on the events of The Suicide Squad, blending elements of the previous DCEU into the new DCU continuity. The Suicide Squad can be seen as the unofficial launch of the DCU, with numerous references tying it to the new universe.

The DCU timeline is starting to crystallize. It begins with The Suicide Squad in 2021, followed by Peacemaker Season 1 in 2022, Creature Commandos in 2024, and then Superman in July 2025, leading into Peacemaker Season 2 in August 2025. The DCU will then expand further with shows like Lanterns and movies like Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.

James Gunn aims to retain the groundwork laid by The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker Season 1, despite Warner Bros.' efforts to distinguish between past and future projects. As Gunn mentioned in an IGN interview, canon matters less than the authenticity and care invested in these stories. Yet, the presence of the DCEU Justice League in Peacemaker Season 1 poses a continuity challenge that Season 2 must address.

Gunn hinted that "almost all of Peacemaker is canon with the exception of Justice League … which we will kind of deal with in the next season of Peacemaker." The trailer suggests a possible solution involving a multiverse scenario where Peacemaker encounters an alternate version of himself in his father's dimension.

By the end of Peacemaker Season 2, the lines between what's canon and what isn't should become clearer. Fans eagerly await the series' return, hoping for a substantial role for Vigilante alongside the thrilling narrative developments.