On a mission

The first episode of season two of DC Studios series Peacemaker is out now on HBO Max, with a weekly schedule set to run until October 9.

Starring John Cena, the show explores the patriotic antihero who believes in achieving peace at any cost.

Released in 2022, the first season was a spin-off from the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) film The Suicide Squad (2021), where the character was introduced. He is forced to join the mysterious black ops squad Project Butterfly, who are on a mission to identify and eliminate parasitic butterfly-like creatures that have taken over human bodies around the world.

The second season will be set in the DC Universe (DCU), a ‘soft reboot’ of the DCEU, and will follow the events of Superman (2025), which is currently in theatres.

In an interview, showrunner James Gunn said the new season sets up his larger version for the universe, as the episodes are set to further the narrative rather than stand on their own.

“Superman leads into this show and then we have the setting up of all of the rest of the DCU in this season of Peacemaker, it’s incredibly important,” he said.

“Lots of guest stars coming up, lots of characters that are showing up that we’ve already met in Superman. I don’t think there’s anything that I’ve ever done that I love more than this season of Peacemaker, so I’m so excited for people to see it,” he added.

The director also teased what’s next to come following the success of Superman, which was received positively by both viewers and critics for its colourful visuals, light-hearted tone and a message that is currently relevant and powerful.

“I’ve already finished the treatment for the next story in what I’ll call the ‘Superman Saga’. The treatment is done, which means a very, very worked-out treatment,” James said. “I’m working on that and hopefully going into production on that not too far away from today,” he revealed.