Fans of the DC Universe were left wanting after the Peacemaker Season 2 finale aired on October 9, 2025. Despite heavy promotion from DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn about a “really, really, really big cameo,” the final episode did not feature a surprise appearance from any major DC superhero like Superman or Batman.
Leading up to the finale, speculation was intense. Gunn’s own comments had fueled expectations for a major character reveal that would connect the show to the wider DCU, particularly his upcoming film Man of Tomorrow. However, the finale, titled “Full Nelson,” instead focused on concluding its own storyline and setting up a new organization, Checkmate, leaving many viewers feeling let down.
What Was Promised Versus What Arrived
Ahead of the season premiere, James Gunn repeatedly generated excitement by promising a massive cameo. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he specifically teased, “There might even be one really, really, really big cameo near the end of the show.”
This led to widespread fan theories. Many hoped to see David Corenswet as Superman, especially after the show featured his archenemy, Lex Luthor. Others speculated about appearances from Brainiac, Booster Gold, or even a Nazi Superman from the alternate Earth-X shown in the season.
The finale did feature the return of Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, but this was not the new, surprise cameo fans were anticipating. Luthor had already appeared earlier in the season, and his return in the finale was through a note, not a physical scene. The episode also featured General Mori and some of Luthor’s associates, but these were minor roles that failed to meet the high bar set by Gunn’s own hype.
How Fans and Critics Have Reacted
The reaction to the finale’s lack of a major cameo has been one of clear disappointment. Many fans expressed feeling underwhelmed on social media and in forum discussions following the episode’s release.
One fan reaction captured the general sentiment, noting that the finale “feels like a slight exaggeration to have labelled this series a ‘prequel’ and such an important chapter in the wider DCU.” The consensus among many viewers is that Gunn overpromised and underdelivered, leading to a sense of disillusionment.
Critics also pointed out that this isn’t the first time Gunn has built up expectations for DC projects that have yet to materialize, mentioning other promised titles like The Authority, Waller, and The Brave and the Bold that have faced delays or silence.
The Cameo That Almost Happened
In a surprising twist, a now-deleted interview revealed that the show nearly did feature a massive, cross-studio cameo. James Gunn shared that he had pitched the idea of the Peacemaker team opening a door in the Quantum Unfolding Chamber to find Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool inside.
James Gunn said, “I talked to Ryan Reynolds about it and we’d have had to go through some pretty, pretty big hoops to do that. He wanted to do it.”
Gunn joked that had it happened, “That’s all anybody’s going to talk about now is f—— Deadpool in the other room.” Ultimately, the logistical hurdles of coordinating between different studios and universes prevented this cameo from becoming a reality, leaving the finale without its intended surprise.
What the Finale Actually Set Up
While it lacked a superheroic entrance, the Peacemaker Season 2 finale was not without important developments for the future of the DCU. The final moments of the episode saw Chris Smith betrayed by Rick Flag Sr., who used the interdimensional portal to exile Peacemaker to a barren planet called Salvation.
This planet is intended to become a prison for metahumans, a major plot point that could have significant repercussions in future DCU stories. Furthermore, Peacemaker’s friends—Harcourt, Adebayo, Economos, and Vigilante—formed their own independent agency, Checkmate.
In the DC comics, Checkmate is a famous intelligence agency often associated with characters like Amanda Waller and Maxwell Lord, who has already been portrayed by Sean Gunn in the new DCU. This sets the stage for these characters to potentially appear in other projects.
With James Gunn stating that a third season of Peacemaker is not currently planned, the story of Chris Smith and the 11th Street Kids is expected to continue in other DCU entries like Supergirl, Creature Commandos, Lanterns, and the next Superman film, Man of Tomorrow.
Also Read: Peacemaker Season 2: White Dragon’s Shocking Change on N*zi Earth Explained by James Gunn
