"Peacemaker Season 2 Trailer: DCU Timeline and Vigilante Insights Revealed"

Summer 2025 is set to be an electrifying period for DC enthusiasts. Just weeks after the theatrical release of Superman, marking the live-action debut of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DCU, fans can look forward to another thrilling season of Peacemaker. John Cena returns to the screen as the peace-loving, yet gun-toting Christopher Smith, joined by much of the beloved Season 1 cast.

The first trailer for Peacemaker Season 2 sheds light on the upcoming plot, linking it back to both the first season and Gunn’s The Suicide Squad. It introduces new elements of the DCU timeline and positions Rick Flagg as a "villain," while fans express disappointment over the reduced presence of Vigilante. Let's dive into the key takeaways from the Peacemaker trailer.

DC Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show

View 39 ImagesFreddie Stroma’s Vigilante in Peacemaker Season 2

While it would be unfair to label John Cena's Christopher Smith as the least interesting character in Peacemaker, he is undeniably a compelling figure. A walking paradox, he advocates for peace while engaging in violent conflicts, embodying the classic Gunn-style humor with a hidden heart of gold.

However, Peacemaker is more than just its titular character; it thrives as an ensemble piece. The supporting cast is crucial to the show's success, much like how The CW’s The Flash relied on its Team Flash dynamic. Among these characters, Freddie Stroma's Vigilante truly stands out. As the breakout star of Season 1, Vigilante provided a humorous counterpoint to Peacemaker, serving as a clingy best friend with superhero potential, albeit with a deeply flawed personality. While the series may not stay true to the comic book version of the character, his entertainment value 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 is prominently featured dealing with her rage, 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 what the trailer suggests.

The trailer kicks off with a surprising 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 all present, and it's clear they've already dismissed Peacemaker before he can make his case.

This scene offers 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 perfectly within the Peacemaker universe. Gunn draws inspiration from DC's beloved Justice League International comics, focusing on a team of eclectic misfits rather than the traditional 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 Gunn, Fillion, and Merced. While the Justice League may not play a major role in Peacemaker Season 2 beyond Chris's failed audition, it's exciting to see their dynamic and the humor and personality Isabela Merced brings to Hawkgirl. After the Arrowverse's less-than-stellar portrayal of the character, the DCU promises a much more engaging version of Hawkgirl.

Who Is DC's Peacemaker? John Cena's The Suicide Squad Character Explained

View 9 ImagesThe 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 now set to be a central antagonist in Peacemaker Season 2.

Flagg's role as the main "villain" is nuanced; he's a father seeking justice for his son's murder and the new head of ARGUS, giving him both legal authority and moral justification in his conflict with Peacemaker. This sets up a compelling dynamic for Season 2, as Chris struggles with his past actions in The Suicide Squad and his desire to be seen as a hero. The tension between Flagg's quest for revenge and Peacemaker's redemption arc promises to be a thrilling narrative.

Making Sense of the DCU Timeline

The direct connection to The Suicide Squad in this season is intriguing. Despite the DCU's aim to start fresh, elements from the previous DCEU are retained. The Suicide Squad now appears to be the unofficial first DCU movie, given its frequent references in the new universe.

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

Gunn is keen to preserve the work he put into The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker Season 1, despite the new continuity. As he told 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," Gunn 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, which he plans to address in Season 2. "The truth is 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," he hinted.

The trailer suggests that the multiverse might play a role in resolving this continuity issue, particularly in a scene where Chris enters his father's dimension and encounters another version of himself. This opens up possibilities for explaining away any inconsistencies.

Apart from the Justice League cameo, there's little stopping Gunn from officially integrating The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker Season 1 into the DCU. The Suicide Squad's standalone nature makes it easier to transition characters like Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn, John Cena's Peacemaker, and Viola Davis' Amanda Waller into the new canon. Recasting Harley Quinn would be unnecessary given Robbie's popular 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 antics.