Fans hoping for more of John Cena’s helmet-toting hero on their television screens will need to adjust their expectations. James Gunn, the creator of Peacemaker and co-CEO of DC Studios, has officially stated that a third season of the hit HBO Max series is not in the works, choosing instead to weave the character’s story directly into the expanding DC Universe on the big screen.
James Gunn’s Official Statement on Season 3
In a recent press conference following the Season 2 finale, James Gunn addressed the future of the Peacemaker series directly. When asked if a third season was planned, he gave a clear response.
“No, this is about the wider DCU and other stories in which this will play out right now,” Gunn stated. “That doesn’t mean that there won’t be. I don’t want to… never say never. But right now, no. This is about the future of the DCU.”
This confirms that the storyline concluded in the Season 2 finale was designed not to set up another season, but to launch the characters, especially Peacemaker himself, into a broader narrative landscape.
How Season 2’s Finale Sets Up the Future
The ending of Peacemaker Season 2 delivered two major developments that will ripple through the DC Universe. First, the core team of characters, including Adebayo, Harcourt, Economos, and Vigilante, decided to form their own independent crime-fighting agency. This group, known as Checkmate in DC Comics, is now established within the DCU and will continue its operations outside of traditional institutions like A.R.G.U.S.
The second, and more shocking, development was the fate of Peacemaker himself. In a cliffhanger, he is kidnapped by Rick Flag Sr. as an act of revenge for Peacemaker’s role in the death of his son in the film The Suicide Squad. Flag Sr. uses a trans-dimensional portal to exile Peacemaker to a remote planet called Salvation.
This planet is not just a random location. In the new DCU, Salvation is established as a prison world for metahumans who are too dangerous or difficult to contain on Earth. This concept, inspired by the Salvation Run comics, is set to be a central part of the DCU’s future storylines.
Peacemaker’s New Role in the DC Universe
So, if there is no Peacemaker Season 3, what is the plan for John Cena’s character? James Gunn has made it clear that Peacemaker is far from finished. He emphasized that the character remains a vital part of his plans for DC.
“He’s really important to me,” Gunn said of Peacemaker. “Peacemaker is an important character… it’s about really propping up and maintaining and repositioning the big diamond properties that DC has, the Batmans and Wonder Womans and Supermans, and then creating diamond properties out of the smaller characters like Peacemaker.”
This signals a strategic shift from a standalone series to integrating Peacemaker into other DC projects. Gunn has described Peacemaker as being “instrumental” to the next chapter of the story he is telling. This means audiences will likely next see Chris Smith appearing in upcoming DC movies and shows, rather than in his own series.
Where You Might See Peacemaker Next
The specific projects where Peacemaker and the Checkmate team will appear have not been officially confirmed. However, Gunn has revealed that the introduction of the Salvation prison planet will play a significant role in the upcoming Superman sequel, Man of Tomorrow, scheduled for a 2027 release.
It is also possible that the characters could surface in other near-future DCU productions. These include the Supergirl movie set for 2026, the Clayface film, or the Lanterns series also expected in 2026. The formation of the Checkmate agency also creates an opportunity for the team to appear in the announced Waller series starring Viola Davis.
Gunn has acknowledged the challenge of balancing these interconnected stories, ensuring that new viewers can understand Man of Tomorrow without having seen Peacemaker Season 2, while also rewarding fans who have followed the entire journey.
A Character’s Journey from Douchey Captain America to DCU Pillar
James Gunn first created the live-action version of Peacemaker for the 2021 film The Suicide Squad, describing him then as a “douchey Captain America.” The character started as a deeply flawed and morally questionable figure, but the HBO Max series allowed Gunn to explore his humanity and capacity for growth.
The series has served as a launchpad, transforming Peacemaker from a lesser-known DC character into a foundational piece of the new DC Universe. While the TV show in its current form has reached its endpoint, the mission of Chris Smith and the 11th Street Kids is far from over.
Also Read: Peacemaker Season 2 Finale: Chris Smith Trapped on a Monster Planet
