Last night (July 27), we got the brand new trailer for DCU’s Peacemaker Season 2, featuring John Cena as the prominent and “lovable in parts” mercenary Chris Smith, aka Peacemaker. Apart from him, we see talents such as Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Jennifer Holland, and Steve Agee reprising their respective roles from the debut season.
The new trailer was funny, exciting, explosive, and had its heart in the right place most of the time. We see Smith (Cena) trying to make things right with the rest of his gang and taking himself on a journey of transformation and redemption. However, things get complicated after he discovers that Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo), father of Rick Flag Jr. (Joel Kinnaman), whom Smith killed in The Suicide Squad (2021), is hunting him down for the death of his son.
Probably the most talked-about aspect of the new Peacemaker Season 2 trailer is the introduction of the ‘parallel worlds’ arc. Yes, surprisingly and out of nowhere, we see Smith using his dead father’s portal to travel to different parallel worlds. In his own world, he realizes that people don’t respect or treat him well, forcing him to enter a different alternate universe where Peacemaker is a celebrated figure.
However, things turn upside down after Chris encounters his own self from that parallel world. While this “multiversal” adventure sounds exciting and intriguing, it also raises several questions. Most importantly: why does this parallel world arc feel forced?
Peacemaker Season 1 was relatively grounded, dealing with an alien invasion, but one that was contained and personal. Introducing an entire alternate universe is a significant leap in scale and sci-fi elements that wasn’t previously hinted at. It shifts the show’s genre slightly from a black comedy action-drama to something involving more overt multiversal shenanigans.
This scenario feels like Gunn’s desperate attempt to make Peacemaker a part of his DCU by any means necessary. Moreover, if a low-stakes show like Peacemaker can get an alternate dimension-type storyline, then other projects from the DCEU could have gotten a similar treatment, right? We guess they just weren’t created by James Gunn.
There’s no denying that Peacemaker is an amazing character, and there’s no one better than John Cena to portray that conflicted anti-hero, but how the new trailer teases the overall setup of Season 2 feels a bit forced. In other words, this plotline feels like Gunn is trying to ‘soft reboot’ his own show to keep it aligned with the DCU.
This other universe gives Peacemaker an easy way to face his past, like his dad, in a fresh way. It also lets the show quietly sort out what’s still true from Season 1 and what’s not. However, many fans might see this as trying to get the best of both worlds when it comes to the story’s timeline.
Additionally, Peacemaker’s dad, Auggie Smith (Robert Patrick), while a bigoted super-scientist, wasn’t previously depicted as having access to or knowledge of advanced quantum physics or interdimensional travel. Which is why this arc feels like an ‘out of the blue’ addition to the second season’s storyline.
James Gunn often incorporates bizarre, unexpected, and sometimes unsettling elements into his stories, using them as catalysts for character growth. The parallel worlds arc, while perhaps feeling out of left field, fits his brand of weirdness, which often serves a deeper thematic purpose.
Plus, John Cena and the rest of the cast are looking in fine form. So, we expect nothing but an action-packed, exciting, and heartwarming second season of Peacemaker, which is slated to premiere on August 21. Indian viewers will be able to watch it on JioHotstar. Stay tuned for more updates.
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