John Cena says Peacemaker is taking a back seat while James Gunn focuses on building out the DC Universe with characters such as Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman.
The wrestler-turned-actor behind the Suicide Squad anti-hero spoke about the character’s future during an interview on Happy, Sad, Confused. He said he is far from hung up on Chris Smith’s iconic metal helmet, but as for when he’ll return as fans await Peacemaker Season 3, he can’t say much.
“No,” Cena said when asked if he’s been in costume since the last episodes of his HBO show premiered in October of last year. “When I put that helmet on, I told James, I’m like, ‘Dude, I’ll put this helmet on as long as you need me to. He makes me a better performer, so I love being around him.”
Cena was one of the first actors to work with Gunn when he began his transition to a new DC universe in 2019. Hot on the heels of his work with Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, the filmmaker’s work with DC was first limited to directing 2021’s The Suicide Squad and, eventually, the Peacemaker TV show.
He’s since become DC Studios co-CEO alongside Peter Safran and, as Paramount merges with Warner Bros., he’s seemingly planted his roots at Skydance as DC Studios’ co-chair. Like he’s done so many times before, Gunn helped Peacemaker become a more recognizable face for fans, but Cena knows he’s got more to worry about now.
After directing 2025’s Superman, Gunn has returned to direct its sequel, Man of Tomorrow, which will premiere in 2027. In addition to his involvement in projects such as Lanterns, Clayface, The Brave and the Bold and more, the comic book movie overseer is also working to cast beloved icons like Batman and Wonder Woman. In other words, it’s hard for watchers – and Cena – to pin down exactly when someone like Peacemaker might be able to return to the spotlight.
“Now, this dude gets to play with a whole box of toys, and because you get the whole box of toys, you have to address the really valuable ones first – and I understand that,” Cena said. “So, here’s a situation where I put my heart and soul into a character, an unknown character, and it becomes a fan favorite. I also know that it’s OK. I gotta step back.
“Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman… There are so many valuable IPs. I’m not in a leadership spot, but if I was, I’d be making those plays first. That’s OK.”
“There always feels like unfinished business.”
John Cena on Peacemaker
Peacemaker received two seasons before leaving the status of Cena’s Chris Smith on a major cliffhanger with Season 2. While there’s been no word from Gunn on a Peacemaker Season 3, as the character’s actor denies having put on the helmet since, it’s hard to say we’ve seen the last of the character just yet.
Cena said that at least as far as he’s concerned, there is still “unfinished business” with the character. He compared Peacemaker’s potential return to his own wrestling career.
“I retired from wrestling, but people are like, ‘Man, but you can come back!’ You know what I’m saying? That’s all that is to me: It’s a message that, ‘Dude, you did good work, and I’d like to see you again.’ Nobody’s saying, ‘Good fking riddance, Peacemaker. Bleh.'”
Gunn suggested Peacemaker Season 3 wasn’t a priority late last year, saying, “Never say never, but right now, no.” Addressing the Season 2 finale cliffhanger, he added, “This is about the future of the DCU.” All of that said, the reflective-helmet-wearing character remains “really important” to the DC Studios boss as the DCU continues to come together.
We’ll continue to see the pieces of his comic book movie universe fall into place when Clayface premieres later this month. Lanterns just introduced its Hal Jordan and John Stewart with Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre, but fans are already speculating about who might play characters such as Wonder Woman and Batman.
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