Peacemaker Season 2 Trailer: DCU Timeline and Vigilante Insights Revealed

Summer 2025 promises an exhilarating time for DC enthusiasts as the cinematic universe expands with new releases. Following the premiere of James Gunn and Peter Safran's DCU with the much-anticipated Superman film, fans will be treated to the return of Peacemaker for its second season. John Cena reprises his role as the complex character Christopher Smith, with many familiar faces from Season 1 joining him.

The first trailer for Peacemaker Season 2 offers a glimpse into the upcoming plot and its ties to both the first season and Gunn's The Suicide Squad. From intriguing DCU timeline developments and Rick Flagg's role as a "villain" to the noticeable absence of Vigilante, let's delve into the key points from the trailer.

DC Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show

View 39 ImagesFreddie Stroma’s Vigilante in Peacemaker Season 2

Calling John Cena's Christopher Smith the least interesting character in Peacemaker would be an understatement. Smith is a fascinating blend of contradictions: a peace advocate who resorts to violent means, yet he's also a quintessential Gunn-style character with a hidden heart of gold.

While Peacemaker centers on its titular character, the series thrives as an ensemble piece. The supporting cast is pivotal to the show's success, much like the dynamic of Team Flash in The CW's The Flash. Among the supporting characters, Freddie Stroma's Vigilante truly shines.

Vigilante emerged as the standout character in Season 1, offering a comedic counterbalance to Peacemaker. His portrayal as a clingy best friend with potential superhero qualities, despite his personal flaws, made for an entertaining watch. Though not a faithful adaptation of the comic book character, his presence was a highlight.

It's somewhat disappointing, then, to see Vigilante take a backseat in the Season 2 trailer. While Cena's character naturally commands attention and Jennifer Holland's Emilia Harcourt deals with her own struggles, Vigilante's role seems diminished. We see him working at a fast food joint, grappling with the reality that world-saving doesn't guarantee fame. Hopefully, his role in the season will be more substantial than what the trailer suggests.

The trailer kicks off with an unexpected scene: Peacemaker attending an open interview with the Justice League. Here, we meet Sean Gunn's Maxwell Lord, Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner, and Isabela Merced's Hawkgirl, who dismiss Peacemaker before he can even speak.

This scene offers a deeper look into the Justice League's dynamics than what we saw in the Superman trailer. The team differs significantly from the one briefly shown in Season 1, embracing a more sarcastic and irreverent tone, fitting perfectly into the Peacemaker universe.

Gunn draws inspiration from the beloved Justice League International comics, emphasizing a team of quirky misfits rather than the traditional powerhouse heroes. These characters seek legitimacy through their association with the Justice League.

It's likely this scene was filmed during the Superman shoot, allowing Gunn to bring together these actors. While the Justice League may not have a major role beyond Peacemaker's failed interview, their inclusion adds depth to the DCU. Isabela Merced's portrayal of Hawkgirl, in particular, brings a refreshing and humorous take to the character, a stark contrast to the Arrowverse's less successful version.

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 central figure in the DCU, having appeared in Creature Commandos and set to debut in Superman. Now, he's poised to be a significant antagonist in Peacemaker Season 2.

Flagg's role as the season's main "villain" is nuanced. He's a grieving 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 setup promises a compelling narrative. Despite Peacemaker's desire to be seen as a hero, his past actions in The Suicide Squad haunt him. The question remains: will viewers sympathize with Flagg's quest for vengeance against Team Peacemaker?

Making Sense of the DCU Timeline

The direct connection to The Suicide Squad in Season 2 highlights how elements of the previous DCEU are being integrated into the new DCU. The Suicide Squad can be seen as the unofficial start of the DCU, given its frequent references in the new continuity.

The timeline is becoming clearer: The Suicide Squad (2021), Peacemaker Season 1 (2022), Creature Commandos (2024), Superman (July 2025), and Peacemaker Season 2 (August 2025). Following this, the DCU will expand with projects like Lanterns and Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.

Gunn aims to retain the groundwork laid in The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker Season 1, despite the new continuity. As he told IGN, canon is less important than the authenticity and care put into these stories.

However, the appearance of the DCEU Justice League in Peacemaker Season 1 poses a continuity challenge. Gunn has hinted that Season 2 will address this issue, possibly through the multiverse, as suggested by a scene where Peacemaker encounters another version of himself in his father's dimension.

Ultimately, aside from the Justice League cameo, there's little stopping Gunn from fully integrating The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker Season 1 into the DCU. This allows for continuity with characters like Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn, John Cena's Peacemaker, and Viola Davis' Amanda Waller. By the end of Peacemaker Season 2, the DCU's canon should be much clearer, and fans are eager for its return, hoping for more of Vigilante's presence.