Superman director and co-head of DC Studios, James Gunn, has opened up about the projects that are directly canon to the DCU. So far, we’ve got Creature Commandos and Superman as official additions to the DCU. The upcoming Peacemaker Season 2 will also be considered a direct part of Gunn and Peter Safran’s superhero franchise.
Well, Gunn confirmed Season 2’s inclusion in the DCU canon a long time ago. Since then, fans have raised several valid questions about the show and its characters’ place within the DCU. One key concern is related to Peacemaker’s debut season.
Season 1 was a breakout hit (one of the few genuinely good things to come out of the DCEU), lauded for its sharp wit, unexpected emotional depth, and stellar performances. However, its finale featured cameos by four prominent Justice League members: Aquaman (Jason Momoa), Flash (Ezra Miller), Superman, and Wonder Woman. For fans, this was a clear link to the now-defunct DC Extended Universe (DCEU).
In a recent Twitter post, Gunn reconfirmed that the events of Peacemaker Season 1 are canon to the DCU.
James Gunn explains the new DCU canon.
“Anything we show in the ‘Previously Seen’ on Peacemaker becomes canon. Anything they talk about happening in the old world, that then becomes canon” pic.twitter.com/IWqKYeG7o5
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) July 30, 2025
If we take into consideration Gunn’s latest statement alongside Season 1’s finale, the situation becomes even trickier. Think about it!
One major aspect that doesn’t sit well with this scenario is Jason Momoa’s place in the DCU. The Game of Thrones actor is all set to play Lobo in the upcoming Supergirl movie. But we also know him quite well for his run as Aquaman in the DCEU. Gunn has already confirmed that the DCEU’s Justice League characters, including Aquaman, are not part of his new superhero universe.
On one hand, this move has confused a noticeable section of the DC fanbase. On the other hand, many believe it’s a smart strategy by Gunn to retain a popular actor within the DC stable, leveraging his undeniable screen presence, while cleanly separating him from his previous, now non-canon role.
It also signals that more familiar faces from the DCEU might return in future DCU projects, which would be intriguing to see.
What this means is that while Peacemaker’s adventures with the Butterflies, his strained relationship with his father, and his bond with his team are now part of the new universe’s history, the versions of Aquaman, Flash, Superman, and Wonder Woman seen in Season 1 have essentially been erased from this new continuity.
Moreover, Gunn teased in an earlier interview that Peacemaker Season 2 would address this discrepancy. Let’s see how that turns out. What we do know is that Chris Smith (John Cena) now has access to several alternate universes (check out the latest Season 2 trailer to get an idea). So that arc may help resolve the continuity issues. But again, at this point, it’s hard to tell how it’ll all play out.
It appears the DCU is selectively acknowledging certain characters and storylines from the previous era, particularly those tied to Gunn’s The Suicide Squad (2021) and Peacemaker Season 1. These elements are being absorbed, but on the DCU’s own terms. It’s like picking the best bits, such as John Cena’s brilliantly realized Peacemaker and Viola Davis’s formidable Amanda Waller, and placing them into a new, more cohesive and consistent universe, free from the constraints of the DCEU.
Let’s see what happens next! Stay tuned for more updates.
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