When Peacemaker was released, it took the whole world by surprise. While nobody doubted James Gunn when it came to adopting comic books into a full-fledged series, the decision to focus on one of The Suicide Squad’s least popular characters raised a few eyebrows. However, the makers did not budge an inch, and the HBO Max show ended up being a massive success. It made one of the lesser-known comic book characters a household name.
The show was renewed for the second season ahead of its finale. Even though there was concern over its future for some time, know that the second installment of the season is happening. But one question remains the same – can the audience expect the release of Peacemaker Season 2 this year?
Read this article till the end to find out.
What is the Plot of Peacemaker?
Peacemaker is an HBO Max-exclusive action comedy-drama television series created by James Gunn based on the DC comics anti-hero of the same name. The series has been produced by The Safran Company and Troll Court Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television Studios. The series is a spin-off/sequel to The Suicide Squad and also the first of its kind TV series in the DC Extended Universe, sharing continuity with the other media of the franchise.
Peacemaker premiered on television on the 13th of January, 2022. The series was soon renewed for its second season on the 17th of February, 2022. Set five months to post the events of The Suicide Squad, the series narrates the story of Christopher Smith, or ‘Peacemaker’ as he is enlisted by an ARGUS black ops squad led by Clemson Murn for Project Butterfly, a mission to take out parasitic butterfly-like creatures. The series starts with John Cena in the titular role and includes other actors such as Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Chukwudi Iwuji, Jennifer Holland, Steve Agee, and Robert Patrick.
Is Peacemaker Season 2 Happening?
The confirmation of the renewal of the second season of Peacemaker had already been made last year. But there is some news.
Although Peacemaker was renewed for the second installment following the success of the first season, it appears DC has paused the return of the show for some time. During an announcement of the new DC Slate, it was stated that James Gunn is shifting his focus to the Superman project which may result in the delay of Peacemaker 2.
Instead of streamlining the second season, the DC universe will look to continue the story told in the show through the newly announced Viola Davis-led series called Waller. Gunn himself has something to say:
“Team Peacemaker will appear alongside Davis as a continuation of that show.”
Season 2 Has Not Been Canceled
Although the makers have paused the production of the second season, it has not been canceled or reversed by HBO Max or DC. The decision to put it on hold does call the show’s future into question, and there is a chance its second season could be canceled entirely in the future. However, nothing can be said or confirmed in this context. Though the plan seems to pay more attention to other projects, including Waller, which will see some crossover with the cast of Peacemaker expected to be appearing in the new series.
James Gunn Confirmed the Return of Viola Davis
James Gunn has confirmed the return of Viola Davis as Amanda Waller in this new DC project. Waller will be a continuation of Peacemaker which ended up revealing Waller’s role in Task Force X. This series will be produced by Doom Patrol creator Jeremy Carver. According to Gunn, the new show will be ‘the greatest ever’. There is no release date for this show as of now, but you may expect it to land before 2025.
Who Will be Cast in Peacemaker Season 2?
If Peacemaker 2 doesn’t get canceled, much is to be said about its cast. It will surprise you to learn that John Cena, the protagonist was not always signed up for the second season.
According to Gun:
“John and I did not agree to a second season off the bat because we wanted to make sure this is something we really love doing that we really wanted. That’s why it’s being announced now because we had to work everything out. I didn’t agree to a second season just off the bat, it wasn’t a matter of like, okay, we are picked up. It’s a matter of I just wanted to make sure it was really something I wanted to do.”
As for the rest of the cast, you may expect to see the following faces:
- Freddie Stroma as Adrian Chase, aka Vigilante
- Danielle Brooks as Leota Adebayo
- Steve Agee as John Economos
- Jennifer Holland as Emilia Harcourt
- Robert Patrick as Auggie Smith/White Dragon
What Happened in the First Season of Peacemaker?
The first season of the show was a huge hit both on a commercial and critical level. More and more viewers tuned in each to watch the Peacemaker and his team try and save the world from an invasion of parasitic mind-controlling butterflies.
In the final episode, Peacemaker hallucinates his dad berating him, causing the already unhinged hero to act even more violently. It’s possible, but not likely, it will be something that comes up in season 2.
There is also the fallout of Adebayo’s decision to bring out what’s going on at Belle Reve to the world. With the Suicide Squad scheme now revealed, Amanda Waller will probably be disgraced. Might she come for the team that ruined her good name? It is possible the fact she was exposed by her own daughter may stop her need for revenge, but you never know how things build up.
What Will be the Plot of Peacemaker Season 2?
The second season will take forth the story of the first season’s finale. According to James Gunn:
“I am still playing with a lot of different things. The most important thing for me in the first season was who Peacemaker was and where was he going – what was his journey? The Butterflies and the plot and all of that are secondary to who he was as a character and what his changes were, as well as the other characters and where they began and where they end because they all have little changes for themselves – with the exception of Vigilante, who is sort of a straight line the whole time.”
He continued,
“So, I know where Peacemaker starts and where he ends, but I am playing with other ideas around that and how that’s gonna play out. I mean, we see where he ends up, in some ways he ends up in a good place, he has been cleared by Adebayo, she sacrificed her own relationship with her mother to clear him, and we see at least the beginnings of a friendship between him and Amelia Harcourt, and a true friendship between him and y’know some of the other characters. But we also see his father looms, whether or not he was alive, and whatever that infection is that his father is still there, is very much a part of who he is.”
Besides what Gunn has said, the fans predict to see at least one cameo from The Suicide Squad movie, like they saw The Justice League in the first season. It may be time for the Peacemaker to be reunited with some of his Task Force X friends for the second season.
Many fans predict that Bloodsport would be the logical choice, both as a cameo and the focus of the spin-off series. That said, they would be just as happy with King Shark.
Where can I Watch Peacemaker?
While the second season of Peacemaker has been put on hold, meanwhile you can enjoy streaming the first season on HBO Max. It comprises eight episodes.
Some Peacemaker Trivia We Bet you Didn’t Know
- James Gunn wrote the entire first season of the show in eight weeks while he was quarantined following Covid-19. He stated that he was so bored; hence he wrote the season, not believing it would turn out into such a big hit.
- Eagly is voiced by Dee Bradley Baker, who had previously lent his voice to Sebastian, the rat, in The Suicide Squad.
- Peacemaker was the template for the character ‘The Comedian’ from The Watchmen movie and comic book series, both of which are also based on DC comics.
- Peacemaker is set in the town of Evergreen, in Charlton County. Interestingly, Charlton Comics owned the character Peacemaker before DC acquired the rights for it in the 80s.
- While shooting for the series, protagonist John Cena ate 36 empanadas. Instead of simply nibbling on it, he ultimately ate all of them in one shot. It was one of the stunts he performed while shooting for the series.
- The opening score of the series, Do ya wanna taste it, has been performed by Norwegian glam-rock band Wig Wam. They scored 9th position in the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest that took place in Kyiv, Ukraine.