HBO renews James Gunn’s ‘Peacemaker’ for season 2 ahead of finale
It looks like there never really is a wrong time to rock. James Gunn’s popular DC series Peacemaker starring John Cena is getting a second season on HBO Max.
The subversive superhero series, based on characters from DC, is a spin-off of James Gunn's The Suicide Squad movie, which was released in 2021. Gunn will return to direct and write all episodes for the new season.
Both Gunn and series star John Cena shared the news on social media ahead of the first season’s finale.
That’s right, #Peacemaker is coming back for Season Two. Thanks to Peter Safran, @JohnCena, our incredible cast & crew, our wildly supportive & lovely friends at @HBOMax - and mostly all of you for watching! @DCpeacemaker pic.twitter.com/wZSZBivrDQ
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) February 16, 2022
Episode 8, the finale in the series’ first season featuring the unlikely hero and his motley crew, will drop on HBO on Thursday, Feb. 17.
Cena’s Christopher Smith, Harcourt (Jennifer Holland), Leota (Danielle Brooks), Vigilante (Freddie Stroma) and John Economos (Steve Agee) were last left in a scenario where they had to get all these alien butterflies off the planet.
The season finale looks like a big face-off with a giant larvae or “Cow,” the food source of the alien butterflies.
In the most recent episode, Cena’s Chris finally dealt with his issues with his racist father, The White Dragon (Robert Patrick).
According to Business Insider, Peacemaker has become one of the most-watched shows of 2022 globally. The HBO Original series has reportedly surpassed Netflix's The Witcher and Disney Plus'’ The Book of Boba Fett in terms of ratings, reflecting the growing popularity of HBO Max originals.
Gunn previously hinted on Deadline’s Hero Nation podcast that there was a good chance of a second season on the streamer. Gunn also told fans that another Suicide Squad spin-off series based on another character is in development.
“Creating Peacemaker has been one of the true highlights of my life, both professionally and otherwise, with John Cena and the incredible creative team around me, as well as our partners at HBO Max,” said Gunn in a separate statement. “To have something we all love so much be loved by the audience in turn has been a wonderful experience. I can’t wait for folks to see where Team Peacemaker goes in Season 2.”
Learning about and eventually becoming #PEACEMAKER was an exercise in exploring the fun and absolutely genius mind of @JamesGunn. It’s been a privilege to work on this show and with the cast, crew and @hbomax team. Elated to say we’ll be back to create more peace for Season ✌️! pic.twitter.com/ujeeXODvOn
— John Cena (@JohnCena) February 16, 2022
Cena added: “I am incredibly honored and humbled by the response to Peacemaker and the experience of playing this character. Thank you to James Gunn, Peter Safran, HBO Max, the crew, and my castmates who worked tirelessly to make this unforgettable series.”
In a statement, Sarah Aubrey, head of Original Content, HBO Max said: “The brilliance of James Gunn once again shines with Peacemaker. He took this character, brought to life by the inimitable John Cena, and created an exceptional series that’s simultaneously thrilling, hilarious and heartfelt, showcasing the humanity beneath this team of misfits living in a superhuman world. As the first original DC show to have its series premiere on HBO Max, we are thrilled that the viewers agreed to give peace a f*cking chance.”
Gunn wrote all eight episodes of Season 1 of Peacemaker and directed five, including the first. Gunn, Safran and Matt Miller serve as EPs on the series, with Cena as co-EP and Stacy Littlejohn as consulting producer.
Based on characters from DC, Peacemaker is produced by Gunn’s Troll Court Entertainment and The Safran Company in association with Warner Bros Television.
No release date has been announced for the second season of Peacemaker. The season one finale is set to air on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022 on HBO Max and HBO GO in the Philippines.