Peacemaker Season 2 Dives Deep Into New DC Universe Lore

HBO Max made a big splash at San Diego Comic-Con this past weekend with the first official trailer for the Emmy-nominated DC series Peacemaker. Directed by Guardians of the Galaxy and Suicide Squad filmmaker James Gunn, the DC spinoff was one of the most anticipated titles at this year’s convention. Held as part of his Hall H presentation, the full-length trailer serves as a first extended look at the second season of Peacemaker, which follows John Cena as Christopher Smith, aka Peacemaker. For those who have seen the Season 1 finale, this is a direct continuation of the story arc. For newcomers, Season 2 follows the events of The Suicide Squad (2021) and picks up five months after Peacemaker’s dangerous mission on Corto Maltese, where he barely survived a bullet to the brain. He is enlisted by the U.S. government for a black ops mission called “Project Butterfly.” Teamed up with Clemson Murn (Chukwudi Iwuji), an A.R.G.U.S. agent named John Economos (Steve Agee), NSA agent Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland), and new team member Leota Adebayo (Danielle Brooks), Smith departs for his new mission. (Season 1 also featured Freddie Stroma as the fan-favorite, unhinged Vigilante.)

Turns out that “Project Butterfly” is not what it seems to be, either. Not only does Smith’s new team need to stop a mysterious alien invasion, but they are also going up against parasitic butterfly creatures that are invading Earth by taking over human hosts. In the final season-ender, the motley crew finds itself embroiled in a bloody ranch standoff with the parasites. After an exhausting battle, the team comes out on top, taking off with their lives, but also with permanent physical and emotional wounds.

The much-anticipated Season 2 of Peacemaker will debut on HBO Max next year on August 21, 2025. Gunn and company have yet to unveil a new release date, but have provided a synopsis for this year’s new chapter. Some events may have shifted from Gunn’s original release plans after it was recently announced that The Suicide Squad had moved up to its series as an HBO Max Max Original.

“Chris Smith’s attempts to earn a hero’s welcome after the harrowing conclusion of Project Butterfly land him in the crosshairs of the Justice League’s A.R.G.U.S.,” states the new description. “Retaining the help of his new team, Smith is on a mission to make amends for his violent history while also trying to become a hero in his own right.” Gunn has also noted that Season 2 is still very much canon with what has come before, save for some familiar cameos from the Justice League.

In addition to Cena, Brooks, Holland, Agee, and Stroma, the returning cast also includes Nhut Le as Judomaster and Eagly, Peacemaker’s endearingly loyal bald eagle sidekick. Veteran character Robert Patrick also returns as Peacemaker’s dead father, Auggie Smith. New cast members this season include Frank Grillo as Rick Flagg Sr., the father of the late Rick Flagg, who was killed by Peacemaker in The Suicide Squad. Grillo’s Flagg is now the head of A.R.G.U.S. and has taken a personal interest in bringing down Peacemaker. Other new characters this season include Tim Meadows as A.R.G.U.S. agent Langston Fleury, Sol Rodriguez as Sasha Bordeaux, and Michael Rooker as Red St. Wild, who is described as Eagly’s “nemesis.”

Set within the multiverse, Gunn also noted that this season of Peacemaker takes place within a different continuity of the DC Universe. While Season 1 was in the now-defunct DCEU, Gunn launched a new “Gods and Monsters” DCU slate at SDCC. As such, Season 2 will be situated within Gunn’s very own DCU. With the continuity change comes a new name. No longer just a part of the DCEU, Season 2 will just be DCU (without the parentheses), much like The Suicide Squad series.

While fans anxiously await more info on Peacemaker Season 2, a full trailer has arrived, and it is packed with incredible moments from this season of wild, multiversal madness. Plus, some fun cameos from Gunn’s own Suicide Squad gang, who will be returning for this new chapter as well.

The first trailer for Season 2 has officially arrived. Check it out below.

The Peacemaker Season 2 trailer begins with a heart-pounding peek at just how massive the Season 1 finale was for fans. Sweeping, orchestral music accompanies Peacemaker’s final battle dramatically after the bloody and brutal events from Season 1. Chris Smith must now live with his past and the emotional trauma of his chosen life of heroism.

Peacemaker finds that he’s still at odds with the Justice League’s A.R.G.U.S. (including Harley Quinn and Peacemaker’s old friend Bloodsport), and while he’s out to make amends for his past life as a crime-fighting killer, it’s not clear if that’s what he or the world wants.

Peacemaker’s new season premiere trailer is a mix of wacky violence and character-driven drama. The tone is more intense than Season 1, for sure, but there is plenty of silly action and comedy as well. And Gunn’s unique, fantastical touches are on full display. Chris Smith has quite the adventure in Season 2.

In addition to fun Easter eggs that will delight fans, there is a whole new world out there for Peacemaker. While still dealing with his identity history, the trailer also teases Peacemaker’s first run-in with another Earth that looks remarkably like his own. Chris Smith winds up falling into an alternate reality of himself. This version of Peacemaker has already earned a legacy of heroism and notoriety—and Chris seems to like it, and wants in. After all, he’s not had any luck with his romantic relationships (yet), either.

The trailer also drops new clues and teases as to what Peacemaker’s ultimate goal is. Is he really trying to make amends with the world, or is he just hoping to use a new world as an opportunity to pretend he can start over fresh?

Plus, a series teaser trailer for Season 2 was released back in May and has new context within the official trailer. Fans can expect an all-new entry into the series full of insanity, heart, and over-the-top humor.

Fans got a first teaser look at Season 2 back in May, with Gunn sharing more about this next chapter on social media. He’s had a lot of fun developing this character over the years and is proud of Peacemaker and what he’s become. Gunn shared the following in a statement:

“We started building this world a few years ago with to just be the best and weirdest TV show we could make, and Season 2 of Peacemaker will be no exception. Peacemaker is a very different guy this year. He’s dealing with the demons he uncovered from the first season, and trying to deal with them, and the world is not accepting him the way he is. They aren’t accepting him as a hero, so it’s about him trying to find peace and redemption. But is he a good guy? He’s not like a well-adjusted good guy, but he’s better than he was last year.” James Gunn’s Peacemaker Season 2 premiere exclusively on HBO Max, August 21, 2025.