"Peacemaker Season 2 Trailer: DCU Timeline and Key Takeaways"

Summer 2025 is set to be a landmark season for DC fans. Just weeks after Superman hits theaters—marking the official live-action launch of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe (DCU)—we’re diving back into the chaotic world of Peacemaker. John Cena returns as the explosive, peace-obsessed Christopher Smith, and much of the beloved Season 1 ensemble is coming along for the ride.

The first Peacemaker Season 2 trailer offers a deeper look at the season’s narrative direction and how it ties into both the first season and Gunn’s The Suicide Squad. From new insights into the evolving DCU timeline to Rick Flag’s surprising role as a central antagonist—and a noticeable absence of Vigilante—here’s a breakdown of the most important takeaways from the trailer.

DC Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show

View 39 ImagesFreddie Stroma’s Vigilante in Peacemaker Season 2

While Peacemaker is undeniably the show’s namesake, calling him the most compelling character might be a stretch. Sure, he’s a fascinating contradiction—preaching peace while covered in blood—but he’s also a classic James Gunn creation: a flawed, comedic antihero with a hidden heart of gold.

However, Peacemaker thrives as an ensemble series. Much like The Flash relied on its Team Flash dynamic, this show’s strength lies in its supporting cast. And among them, Freddie Stroma’s Vigilante stands out as the undeniable scene-stealer of Season 1.

Adrian Chase, aka Vigilante, was a hilarious and oddly endearing presence—a clingy, socially awkward would-be hero who brought both levity and emotional depth. His unfaithful yet entertaining take on the comics version didn’t matter; he was just too fun to ignore.

That’s why his minimal presence in the Season 2 trailer is a letdown. While Cena naturally dominates the spotlight and Jennifer Holland’s Emilia Harcourt appears to be grappling with intense emotional turmoil, Stroma’s character is pushed to the sidelines. We learn he’s working at a fast-food joint, disillusioned by the lack of fame despite saving the world. It’s a relatable arc, but fans were hoping for more screen time. Let’s hope the trailer doesn’t reflect his overall role in the season.

The trailer kicks off with a surprising moment: Peacemaker attending a Justice League recruitment interview. On hand are Sean Gunn’s Maxwell Lord, Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner, and Isabela Merced’s Hawkgirl—all clearly unimpressed by Chris Smith’s pitch.

This scene gives us a far clearer picture of the DCU’s Justice League than the Superman trailer did. Gone is the solemnity of the DCEU team; this version is irreverent, sarcastic, and perfectly in line with Gunn’s signature tone. It’s a clear nod to the fan-favorite Justice League International comics, where Lord acts as both leader and financier, and the team is made up of unconventional, often overlooked heroes in need of legitimacy.

It’s likely this scene was filmed during Superman’s production, allowing Gunn to efficiently bring together Fillion, Merced, and Sean Gunn. While the Justice League probably won’t have a recurring role in Peacemaker Season 2, this glimpse is invaluable for understanding the team’s chemistry and place in the DCU.

Most notably, Isabela Merced’s Hawkgirl shines with charisma and confidence—light-years ahead of the underwhelming portrayal in the Arrowverse. This new Justice League is shaping up to be a fresh, entertaining force in the DCU.

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

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

Frank Grillo is quickly becoming the connective tissue of the DCU. His portrayal of Rick Flag, Sr. was a standout in the Creature Commandos animated series, he’s set to appear in Superman, and now he’s poised to play a pivotal role in Peacemaker Season 2.

This time, Flag is positioned as the season’s primary antagonist—though “villain” might be too strong a word. He’s a grieving father seeking justice for his son’s death, now elevated to the leadership of ARGUS. With both institutional authority and moral justification, he has every right to pursue Peacemaker and his team.

This sets up a compelling conflict. Despite Chris’s attempts to rebrand himself as a hero, he can’t escape the truth: he killed Rick Flag Jr. in The Suicide Squad. No amount of world-saving erases that act. As the season unfolds, audiences may find themselves torn—rooting for Peacemaker while sympathizing with Flag’s quest for retribution.

Making Sense of the DCU Timeline

The direct continuation from The Suicide Squad raises an interesting question: where does the old DCEU end and the new DCU begin? Increasingly, it appears that The Suicide Squad (2021) is being treated as the unofficial starting point of the DCU. So much of its narrative and cast carry forward that it’s impossible to dismiss it as non-canon.

The emerging DCU timeline now looks like this:

• The Suicide Squad (2021) – The foundation
• Peacemaker Season 1 (2022) – The expansion
• Creature Commandos (2024) – The official launch
• Superman (July 2025) – The live-action debut
• Peacemaker Season 2 (August 2025) – The next chapter
• Followed by Lanterns, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, and more

James Gunn has made it clear he doesn’t want to discard the work he did on The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker. As he told IGN in a recent interview, while continuity matters, storytelling authenticity matters more.

“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.”

That said, Gunn acknowledged a continuity hurdle: the appearance of the DCEU Justice League in Peacemaker Season 1. He confirmed Season 2 will address this anomaly.

“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 teased.

The trailer hints at a multiversal explanation—particularly in the scene where Chris enters his father’s dimension and meets an alternate version of himself. With the multiverse now part of the DCU framework, any continuity gap can be bridged.

Beyond that Justice League cameo, there’s little stopping Gunn from fully integrating The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker into the new canon. The film was largely self-contained, with only a few overlapping characters. Recasting fan-favorites like Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn or Viola Davis’ Amanda Waller would be unnecessary—Robbie’s version is too iconic to replace. Joker, however, remains an open question.

By the end of Peacemaker Season 2, the boundaries of DCU canon should be much clearer. We’re eager for the series’ return—just please, give Vigilante the spotlight he deserves.