James Gunn Confirms: Most Of "Peacemaker" Season 1 Is Canon In The New DC Universe

Dan Lalonde
Nov 18, 2024
2 min read

Bridging Two DC Worlds

James Gunn, the co-head of DC Studios, recently clarified the canon status of Peacemaker Season 1 amidst the ongoing reshaping of the DC Universe (DCU). With the transition from the now-defunct DCEU to the revitalized DCU, fans have been curious about where their favorite stories fit in. Gunn’s latest comments, made during an interview with IGN, confirm that Peacemaker Season 1 is largely canon—albeit with one key exception.

This clarification arrives as DC Studios prepares to launch the animated Creature Commandos series on Max on December 5th, marking the beginning of Gunn’s new DCU narrative.

What's Canon in Peacemaker?

According to Gunn, the events of Peacemaker Season 1 are mostly considered canon in the new DCU. Specifically, he stated:

“Now in Creature Commandos, you’ll hear them talk about things that happened in [The] Suicide Squad or Peacemaker. Well then, those things automatically become canon.”

This statement confirms that many plot points and character arcs from Peacemaker Season 1 will continue to hold weight within the evolving DCU timeline. However, Gunn noted one major exception: the Justice League cameo featured in the Peacemaker Season 1 finale.

Dealing with the Justice League Cameo

The Justice League’s appearance at the end of Peacemaker Season 1 was a surprising and humorous moment, featuring shadowy figures and partial cameos of Jason Momoa’s Aquaman and Ezra Miller’s Flash. While the scene was a memorable highlight for fans, Gunn has now revealed that this cameo is not part of the DCU canon.

“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,” Gunn explained.

How this discrepancy will be addressed remains under wraps, but it seems likely that the second season of Peacemaker—scheduled for an August 2025 debut—will reframe or resolve this continuity detail.

The New DCU Launch

The decision to redefine canon aligns with Gunn’s overarching strategy for the DCU, starting with Creature Commandos as the official launch point. Gunn emphasized:

“Nothing is definitely canon unless you see it in Creature Commandos or in anything released after that in the DCU.”

This approach allows Gunn and DC Studios to selectively integrate beloved elements from the DCEU while establishing a cohesive narrative moving forward.

What’s Next for the DCU?

With Creature Commandos kicking off the new DCU on December 5th, fans are eagerly awaiting the interconnected stories that will follow. Next year’s Superman: Legacy will serve as another cornerstone of this revitalized cinematic universe. Meanwhile, Peacemaker Season 2 promises to address lingering questions about its place in the DCU and how it navigates the shift in continuity.

For DC fans, the blending of old favorites with fresh beginnings under Gunn’s leadership signals an exciting era of storytelling that balances nostalgia with innovation.