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How Does Peacemaker Season 2 Actually Define What’s Real in the New DCU?
The upcoming Peacemaker Season 2 is generating excitement as fans wonder how the show connects to James Gunn’s new DC Universe. The showrunner has provided clear guidance on what counts as official story material in this rebooted superhero world.
Understanding Canon in the New DCU
James Gunn recently shared important details about how stories connect in his DC Universe. The DCU begins canonically with “Creature Commandos,” then “Superman,” then “Peacemaker” Season 2. This timeline helps fans understand which events matter going forward.
The most helpful rule Gunn explained is simple: anything shown in the ‘Previously Seen’ recaps during Peacemaker Season 2 becomes canon. This approach removes confusion about which past events still count in the new universe.
The Rick Flag Example
Gunn used a specific example to show how this works. Rick Flag Jr.’s death from “The Suicide Squad” movie became official DCU history when Rick Flag Sr. mentioned it in “Creature Commandos”. This means events from older DC movies can become part of the new universe when they get referenced.
The connection continues in Peacemaker Season 2, where Rick Flag Sr. seeks revenge against Peacemaker for killing his son. Frank Grillo, who plays Rick Flag Sr., describes his character as “the heavy” who sees Peacemaker as someone who “gotta go”.
What Makes Something Canon
The canon rules work like this:
- DCU projects are automatically canon: “Creature Commandos” and “Superman” are “100% canon”
- Referenced events become canon: When DCU shows mention past events, those events join official history
- Recap scenes matter: Everything in Peacemaker Season 2’s “Previously Seen” segments counts as real
Peacemaker’s Special Position
Peacemaker exists in a unique spot between the old and new DC worlds. Almost everything from Season 1 is canon, but Season 2 will explain what is or isn’t canon. Gunn has been frustrated with some past appearances, particularly cameos in “Black Adam” and “Shazam: Fury of the Gods,” saying “They’re not canon! I hate it!”
The new season takes place one month after the events of “Superman” and will feature characters from that movie, including Hawkgirl, Maxwell Lord, and Guy Gardner. This timing helps cement Peacemaker’s place in the new universe.
Season 2 Details
Peacemaker Season 2 premieres August 21, 2025, continuing John Cena’s story as the peace-loving antihero. The season will have eight episodes released weekly, maintaining the same format as the first season.
The show will explore multiple dimensions, with Gunn confirming there are “at least 100 alternate realities in the DC Universe”. This multiverse concept connects to the portals Lex Luthor used in “Superman”.
What This Means for Fans
This approach solves many fan concerns about continuity. Instead of requiring viewers to memorize which movies count, the DCU will simply tell audiences what matters through its storytelling. When a character mentions something from the past, that event becomes real in the new universe.
The strategy allows Gunn to keep the best parts of previous DC stories while leaving behind elements that don’t fit his vision. For Peacemaker fans, this means the character’s growth and relationships from Season 1 will continue, while confusing connections get cleared up.
Peacemaker Season 2 represents more than just another superhero show. It serves as a bridge between DC’s past and future, helping establish the rules for how this new universe operates while delivering the action and humor fans expect.