Summer 2025 promises to be a thrilling period for DC enthusiasts. Just weeks after the cinematic release of Superman and the introduction of James Gunn and Peter Safran's new DC Universe (DCU), fans can look forward to the return of Peacemaker for its second season. John Cena reprises his role as the peace-loving yet gun-toting Christopher Smith, and he's joined by many familiar faces from Season 1.

The first Peacemaker Season 2 trailer offers a glimpse into the upcoming plot and its connections to both the first season and Gunn's The Suicide Squad. From new insights into the DCU timeline and Rick Flagg's role as the "villain" to the noticeable absence of Vigilante, here are the key points from the trailer.

DC Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show

View 39 ImagesFreddie Stroma’s Vigilante in Peacemaker Season 2

While it would be unfair to label Christopher Smith as the least intriguing character in Peacemaker, he is undoubtedly a complex figure. A walking paradox, he advocates for peace while engaging in violent conflicts. His character embodies the quintessential Gunn-style humor, masking a deeply buried heart of gold.

Despite the focus on Peacemaker, the series thrives as an ensemble, much like The CW's The Flash relied on Team Flash. Among the supporting cast, Freddie Stroma's Vigilante stands out as the show-stealer. He was the breakout star of Season 1, providing comic relief and serving as a humorous counterpart to Cena's Peacemaker. Though the adaptation strays from the comics, Stroma's portrayal is undeniably entertaining.

It's somewhat disappointing to see less of Vigilante in the trailer. While Cena naturally takes center stage, and Jennifer Holland's Emilia Harcourt deals with significant anger issues, Vigilante seems relegated to the background. We see him working at a fast food restaurant, grappling with the realization that saving the world doesn't guarantee fame. Fans would love to see more of him, and we hope the trailer doesn't indicate his reduced role in the season.

The trailer kicks off with a surprising scene: Peacemaker attending an open interview with the Justice League. Sean Gunn's Maxwell Lord, Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner, and Isabela Merced's Hawkgirl are present, and they seem to dismiss Peacemaker before he can make his case.

This scene offers a clearer picture of the Justice League's dynamics than the Superman trailer does. This new League is different from the one briefly seen in Season 1, and it's evident that Gunn is drawing inspiration from DC's beloved Justice League International comics. The team, led and financed by Lord, focuses on a more eclectic mix of heroes who benefit from the legitimacy the Justice League provides.

Filming this scene during Superman's production likely facilitated the inclusion of Gunn, Fillion, and Merced. While the team may not have a major role beyond Peacemaker's failed tryout, it's refreshing to see their dynamic and the humor Merced brings to Hawkgirl, especially after the Arrowverse's less successful portrayal. The new Justice League is shaping up to be a delightful addition to the DCU.

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. After appearing in the Creature Commandos animated series and making his live-action debut in Superman, Flagg is now set to be a major player in Peacemaker Season 2.

Flagg is positioned as the main antagonist, though "villain" might be too strong a term given his motivations. He's a father mourning his son's murder and now leads ARGUS, giving him both legal authority and moral justification in his conflict with Peacemaker.

This setup promises a compelling dynamic in Season 2. Despite Peacemaker's belief in his transformation into a legitimate hero, he can't escape his actions in The Suicide Squad. His past deeds cast a long shadow, and viewers might find themselves rooting for Flagg's quest for revenge against Team Peacemaker.

Making Sense of the DCU Timeline

It's interesting how directly Season 2 builds on The Suicide Squad. While the DCU aims to start fresh, some elements of the DCEU remain. The Suicide Squad now seems to be the unofficial first DCU movie, given its frequent references in the new continuity.

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

Gunn wants to retain the work he put into The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker Season 1, despite Warner Bros.'s clear division between past and future projects. As Gunn told IGN, canon isn't the be-all and end-all. "Hopefully there's authenticity and truth to those stories because we care about those stories, the characters, the actors, the performers, the animators," he said. "They all care about these stories, but it's not real."

Gunn acknowledged the continuity challenge posed by the DCEU Justice League's cameo in Peacemaker Season 1. "The truth is almost all of Peacemaker is canon with the exception of Justice League … which we will kind of deal with in the next season of Peacemaker," he teased.

Season 2 may resolve this through the scene where Chris enters his father's dimension and meets another version of himself. With the multiverse now in play, Gunn has the flexibility to explain away any inconsistencies.

Apart from the Justice League cameo, there's little stopping Gunn from officially integrating The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker Season 1 into the DCU. The Suicide Squad's standalone nature and the carryover of characters like Peacemaker and Amanda Waller make this transition smoother. Keeping Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, widely embraced by fans, makes sense, while recasting the Joker might be necessary.

By the end of Peacemaker Season 2, the DCU's canon should be much clearer. We eagerly await its return and hope to see more of Vigilante.