Not Enough Vigilante, The DCU Timeline Takes Shape, and More Big Takeaways From the Peacemaker Season 2 Trailer

Summer 2025 promises to be an exhilarating time for DC enthusiasts. Just weeks after the premiere of Superman, which marks the live-action debut of James Gunn and Peter Safran's DCU, fans can look forward to the return of Peacemaker for its second season. John Cena reprises his role as the gun-toting, peace-loving Christopher Smith, with many familiar faces from Season 1 joining him.

The first Peacemaker Season 2 trailer provides a glimpse into the upcoming plot and its connections to both the first season and Gunn’s The Suicide Squad. From new details about the DCU timeline and Rick Flagg's role as a "villain" to the notable absence of Vigilante, let's dive into the key insights from the 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 contradiction, he preaches peace yet engages in violent conflict, embodying the classic Gunn-style goofball with a deeply buried heart of gold.

However, Peacemaker is truly an ensemble show, and its success hinges on its supporting cast, much like The CW's The Flash series relied on Team Flash's dynamics. Among the supporting characters, Freddie Stroma's Vigilante stands out as the show-stealer. A breakout star in Season 1, Vigilante provided a hilarious contrast to Peacemaker, serving as a clingy best friend with potential superhero qualities, despite his personal struggles. While the series deviates from the comic book version of the character, his entertaining presence more than compensates for it.

The absence of more screen time for Stroma's character in the trailer is somewhat disappointing. While John Cena naturally takes center stage, and Jennifer Holland's Emilia Harcourt is dealing with evident anger issues, Vigilante seems relegated to the background. We see him working at a fast food restaurant, grappling with the realization that saving the world doesn't guarantee fame or adoration. Hopefully, the trailer doesn't reflect his overall role in the season, as fans would love to see more of this beloved character.

The trailer begins with an unexpected 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 they quickly dismiss Peacemaker without giving him a fair chance.

This scene offers a deeper look into the Justice League's group dynamic than the Superman trailer did. This version of the team is distinct from the one briefly seen in Season 1, and it's clear that Gunn is drawing inspiration from DC's beloved Justice League International comics. The team is led by Lord and focuses on an eclectic group of misfits rather than the biggest names in the DC universe, needing the legitimacy that comes with being part of the Justice League.

Filming this scene alongside Superman likely facilitated the inclusion of Gunn, Fillion, and Merced. While the Justice League may not play a significant recurring role in Peacemaker Season 2 beyond Chris's failed tryout, it's exciting to see more of their dynamic. Isabela Merced's portrayal of Hawkgirl, in particular, promises to bring humor and personality to the role, a refreshing change from the Arrowverse's less successful depiction.

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 the connective tissue of the DCU. After playing a major role in the Creature Commandos animated series and set to make his live-action debut in Superman, Flagg is now positioned as the primary antagonist in Peacemaker Season 2.

Though calling him a "villain" might be too strong, given his motivations, Flagg is a father seeking justice for his son's murder. As the head of ARGUS, he has both the legal authority and moral justification to confront Peacemaker. This sets up an intriguing dynamic for Season 2, as Chris grapples with his past actions in The Suicide Squad and his desire to be seen as a hero. How much will viewers sympathize with Flagg's quest for revenge against Team Peacemaker? It's a storyline that promises to be both engaging and emotionally charged.

Making Sense of the DCU Timeline

The inclusion of Flagg highlights how directly Season 2 builds on The Suicide Squad, despite the DCU's aim to start fresh. The Suicide Squad seems to be the unofficial first DCU movie, given its numerous references within 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. Then, the DCU expands with projects like Lanterns and Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.

James Gunn is keen on retaining elements from The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker Season 1, despite Warner Bros.'s division between old and new. As Gunn told IGN, "canon only matters so much," emphasizing that while these stories are cherished, they aren't real. He acknowledged the challenge of integrating the DCEU Justice League from Season 1 into the new continuity, teasing that Season 2 will address this issue.

The trailer hints at a potential multiverse explanation, with Chris entering his father's dimension and encountering another version of himself. This could provide a way to reconcile the old and new universes. Apart from the Justice League cameo, there's little stopping Gunn from fully integrating The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker Season 1 into the DCU. This approach allows for continuity with characters like Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn, John Cena's Peacemaker, and Viola Davis's Amanda Waller, ensuring a seamless transition into the new canon.

By the time Peacemaker Season 2 concludes, the DCU's continuity should be much clearer. Fans eagerly await the series' return and hope to see more of Vigilante in action.