The second season of Peacemaker concluded with a finale that dramatically changes the landscape of James Gunn’s DC Universe. The emotional journey for John Cena’s Chris Smith took a dark turn, introducing key elements that will shape upcoming projects like Superman: Man of Tomorrow. In a stunning cliffhanger, Peacemaker finds himself stranded on a distant planet, a direct result of his actions in The Suicide Squad.
The Emotional Finale’s Big Twist
The season finale, titled “Full Nelson,” initially seemed to be heading toward a happy ending. After a difficult emotional journey, Chris Smith was reunited with his friends—the 11th Street Kids. Together, they used blood money seized by Vigilante to establish their own independent peacekeeping agency called Checkmate, a nod to the covert organization from DC Comics. This moment represented a positive new beginning for the team.
However, the story took a sharp turn. In the final moments, Rick Flag Sr., played by Frank Grillo, had Peacemaker abducted by A.R.G.U.S. agents. Flag sought revenge for the death of his son, Rick Flag Jr., whom Peacemaker killed in the 2021 film The Suicide Squad. In a cruel act of payback, Flag banished Peacemaker through an interdimensional portal.
“This is for Ricky, you piece of shit,” Flag tells Peacemaker as he closes the portal, leaving him stranded.
Peacemaker was dumped on a planet called Salvation, which A.R.G.U.S. plans to use as an inescapable prison for metahumans. The season ends with Chris Smith alone, weaponless, and listening to the roars of unseen creatures in this new, dangerous world.
The New DCU Power Players
Two major organizations were introduced in the finale, both crucial to the future of the DCU. The first is Checkmate, the independent agency formed by Peacemaker’s friends. James Gunn confirmed that this group will continue to evolve.
“When we see them next, I think their circumstances will be a little bit different than the startup that they’re now,” Gunn said.
The second major introduction is the prison planet Salvation. The concept is inspired by the Salvation Run comics from 2007-2008, where dangerous supervillains were exiled to a distant planet. In the DCU, this idea has been adopted by Rick Flag Sr., who sees it as a permanent solution to containing metahumans. Gunn explained that the concept of a metahuman prison planet is a foundational part of his larger story.
How This Sets Up ‘Superman: Man of Tomorrow’
The finale firmly establishes a growing alliance between Rick Flag Sr. and Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult. This partnership is a key setup for the next Superman film. Flag, who initially distrusted Luthor, has now fully embraced his anti-metahuman agenda and is implementing his plans.
This storyline reveals an “escalating war” between governments and metahumans. The creation of Salvation and the government’s harsh methods for dealing with superpowered individuals will be a central conflict moving forward. James Gunn confirmed that this war is not a side plot but a core narrative for the DCU.
“People should expect that the way that the military and Rick Flag and everybody are working together and they’ve created a probably illegal prison for metahumans on another dimension is gonna be a part of DCU stories going forward,” Gunn stated.
While the specifics of the plot for Man of Tomorrow are still under wraps, Gunn has previously hinted that the film will involve Lex Luthor and Superman having to work together against a much bigger threat. It is strongly suggested that Rick Flag’s actions and the Salvation prison could be that very threat, potentially forcing this unlikely alliance.
The Future of Peacemaker and the DCU
James Gunn has been clear that there are currently no plans for Peacemaker Season 3. The character’s story will continue elsewhere in the DCU.
“This is about the other stories in which this will play out right now,” Gunn explained, though he added, “Never say never.”
The storyline involving Salvation is confirmed to connect to other major DCU projects, including the Supergirl movie and the Lanterns series. Gunn described them as “part of the overall tapestry” of the universe he is building. Despite the interconnected story, Gunn assures that each project, including Man of Tomorrow, will be enjoyable on its own.
“I’m not expecting people to go into Man of Tomorrow and know what Salvation is,” he said. “You’ll find out anything you need to know about metahumans disappearing through that movie.”
The finale’s shocking ending, which was reportedly added at the suggestion of Gunn’s co-CEO Peter Safran, has successfully set the stage for the next chapter of the DCU, promising a complex conflict that will test its heroes and villains in new ways.
