A deep dive into the official renewal status, James Gunn’s plans, and where the story goes after that explosive season 2 finale.
It’s the question on every DC fan’s mind after the recent season 2 finale: will there be a Peacemaker Season 3? The short answer is “not exactly,” but the full story is far more interesting.
If you’ve just finished watching John Cena’s Christopher Smith get unceremoniously dumped on a prison planet, you’re probably desperate to know what happens next. The series has become a flagship show for HBO Max’s DC content, blending brutal action with unexpected heart and some of the best character development in the superhero genre.
We’re diving into everything we know about the future of Peacemaker, drawing from James Gunn’s own statements, the major plot points from the season 2 finale, and how the story connects to the wider DC Universe.
What James Gunn Has Said About Season 3
When asked directly about Peacemaker Season 3, DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has been clear but cryptic. He’s not ruling it out entirely, but he’s not planning it right now either.
In a recent interview with Deadline, Gunn explained the current thinking: “No, there is no season 3 currently planned,” before adding crucial context. “This is about the wider DCU and other stories in which this will play out right now. 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. It’s an important character.”
Earlier, he had hinted at this transitional approach, telling the same outlet: “Some of these characters will continue, but also, it’s not exactly Peacemaker [Season] 3. I’m not ruling it out. You’ll see [Episode] 8 and maybe find out a little bit more.”
This tells us that while the “Peacemaker” series as we know it might be on hiatus, the characters and storylines are far from over. Gunn is weaving these narratives into the broader fabric of his DC Universe, which means we’ll likely see Chris Smith and the 11th Street Kids pop up in other projects before potentially returning for a proper third season.
What the Season 2 Finale Sets Up
The season 2 finale, titled “Full Nelson,” didn’t just wrap up a storyline—it launched two major concepts that look crucial to the future of the DCU.
- Salvation: The prison planet where Rick Flag Sr. abandons Peacemaker as the first test inmate for his metahuman deportation program. In the comics, Salvation Run was a major storyline where villains were exiled to an alien planet that turned out to be part of Darkseid’s empire, serving as a training ground for Parademons.
- Checkmate: The new team and company formed by Harcourt, Adebayo, Economos, Peacemaker (before his abduction), Judomaster, and Langston Fleury. In DC Comics, Checkmate is an international intelligence agency that often counters organizations like ARGUS. Their stated goal is simply to “make the world better.”
Gunn confirmed these were always part of his plan: “Those were things that I had pitched to everybody before we ever came into DC… That was always pretty instrumental in the overall, overarching story that I’m telling in the DCU.”
The finale leaves Peacemaker trapped on Salvation, with Flag Sr. exacting revenge for Chris killing his son in “The Suicide Squad.” Meanwhile, the rest of the team is unaware of his fate, having just started their new venture.
Where Peacemaker’s Story Continues Next
So if Season 3 isn’t happening immediately, where will we see these characters next? All signs point to the upcoming “Waller” series.
Gunn has confirmed to People that the Viola Davis-led project is still in development and will feature characters from Team Peacemaker. Given that the season 1 finale revealed Adebayo is Waller’s daughter and publicly exposed her mother’s operations, the stage is set for a major confrontation.
The connection makes perfect sense. Davis’ Amanda Waller appeared in both “Suicide Squad” films and had a cameo in Peacemaker’s season 1 finale. Her career was damaged by Adebayo’s revelations, and she’s undoubtedly plotting her revenge.
Beyond “Waller,” the introduction of Salvation and Checkmate creates multiple pathways for these characters to appear in other DCU projects, such as the upcoming “Superman: Man of Tomorrow” or even the “Lanterns” series.
The Production Timeline Realities
Part of the uncertainty around Season 3 stems from the challenging production history. Fans waited over three years between Seasons 1 and 2, due to a combination of Gunn’s commitment to “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” his appointment as DC Studios co-CEO, and the 2023 Hollywood labor strikes.
With Gunn now focused on building out the entire DC Universe and John Cena maintaining a busy schedule between Hollywood and his part-time WWE commitments, a traditional season renewal faces significant scheduling hurdles.
This doesn’t mean Gunn has abandoned the characters he created—far from it. But it does mean their stories might be told in more flexible formats that fit the larger DCU puzzle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Peacemaker been officially renewed for Season 3?
No, HBO Max has not officially renewed Peacemaker for a third season. James Gunn has stated there are no current plans for Season 3, though he hasn’t ruled it out forever.
Will the characters appear in other DCU projects?
Yes, James Gunn has confirmed that Peacemaker and other members of the 11th Street Kids will appear in the upcoming “Waller” series starring Viola Davis.
What about the Earth-2 storyline?
The Earth-2 (or Earth-X) storyline, which featured an alternate universe where Peacemaker’s family were heroic and the U.S. was under Nazi rule, was largely resolved in Season 2. However, Gunn has mentioned he still has ideas for characters from that universe, like Captain Triumph (Keith Smith), suggesting we haven’t seen the last of these alternate realities.
The Bottom Line
While the future doesn’t currently include a traditional Peacemaker Season 3, the story is far from over. James Gunn has laid careful groundwork to continue the adventures of Christopher Smith and the 11th Street Kids through the “Waller” series and other DCU projects.
The season 2 finale simultaneously provided closure while launching two major DC concepts in Salvation and Checkmate. Wherever Peacemaker ends up next—whether battling alien creatures on a prison planet or teaming up with other DC heroes—one thing remains certain: John Cena’s nuanced performance as the conflicted anti-hero has secured this character’s place in the DC Universe for years to come.
The mission to make the world better continues—just not necessarily in weekly episode format.
What did you think of Peacemaker Season 2? Are you excited to see the story continue in the Waller series? Share your thoughts on our social media channels!
