John Cena is back in the explosive Peacemaker Season 2 trailer! Discover release dates, returning cast, new villains, and what James Gunn has planned for DC’s most unhinged hero.
We haven’t heard from him much since his peacemaking in The Suicide Squad, however, WWE legend turned Hollywood megastar John Cena is back in the newly released Peacemaker Season 2 trailer and people are losing it. Following the massive success of the first season, James Gunn’s gritty, funny (and surprisingly moving) DC series is now back for season 2 on Max (formerly known as HBO Max), and the trailer has already gone viral.
From crazy action, to brutal one liners, paired with fun emotional layers, the Season 2 trailer seems to have everything audiences loved from the first season (and a good amount of new stuff as well). If you’re a huge DC fan or you’re just here for a classic antihero story with some comedic elements, below is everything you need to know about the next season of Peacemaker.
A Brief Recap: Who Is Peacemaker?
For those who don’t know, Peacemaker is a DC Comics anti-hero created by Joe Gill and Pat Boyette in the 1960s. The character had not really been in the public eye until James Gunn’s 2021 film The Suicide Squad reintroduced, or introduced the character to a modern audience in someway. John Cena entertainingly portrayed Christopher Smith aka Peacemaker while devoutly defending his absurd intertwining version of “peace at any cost” (even if it means murdering people for that).
The first series of Peacemaker were seen with Smith at the conclusion of The Suicide Squad. Peacemaker’s twisted morality, restorative seeking and daddy issues were all on display. He brings together misfits that were casted away by authority and one very excited bald eagle (Eagly!). Peacemaker battled alien parasites and his own demons; both literally and metaphorically.
What the Trailer For Peacemaker Season 2 Reveals
The official trailer for Peacemaker Season 2 was released on (insert date) and as expected, millions have viewed it within hours. Here is what stood out to me:
1. Cena’s Peacemaker Is More Unhinged—and More Human
John Cena continues to impress in the trailer once again displaying his unique combination of masculine energy, comedic timing, and unexpected frailty. The trailer teases that Peacemaker is still dealing with his past—most notably the trauma of killing his father, Auggie Smith (Robert Patrick). Auggie was a white supremacist that was haunting him as a ghost; As more of a lingering psychological presence in season 2, it makes Peacemaker’s conflict even more interesting.
2. New Villains and Higher Stakes
This season features a completely different villainous group calling themselves “Project Tundra.” Project Tundra’s mission? World domination via psychological warfare, very dubious nanotech, and some very dubious government relationships. In one incredible shot, we see the masked villain controlling people through virtual reality helmets—is this Black Mirror meets Watchmen?
We also see possible hints of alien setups. Are the Butterflies done existing in the group? Not so fast. Fans spied a brief shot of a similar alien buggy in a lab scene. So maybe the threat isn’t over.
3. The Peacemaker Crew is Back With Upgrades
All your favorite dysfunctional crew is back. Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland), Leota Adebayo (Danielle Brooks), John Economos (Steve Agee), and of course Vigilante (Freddie Stroma) return for dysfunctional team ups once again. This time they are of course better trained and more united, and possibly funded by the Amanda Waller splinter group.
And we see new tech, and new upgraded gear, and even Eagly wearing a camera helmet—yes, it is as cute as it sounds.
Signature James Gunn Vibes: Rock Music, Carnage and Heart
Like with Season 1, the Peacemaker Season 2 trailer features the bangin’ soundtrack of “Kickstart My Heart” by Mötley Crüe. Expect more huge fight scenes, disgusting humor, hi-res slowmo meet-tion moments, and more. But behind the carnival of chaos, there is heart in the story again and again from Gunn’s storytelling-with themes of trauma, friendship, and wanting a second chance.
When Will Peacemaker Season 2 Release?
Officially, Peacemaker Season 2 is expected to be released premiere on August 21, 2025
The 2nd season of Peacemaker will stream exclusively on Max, continuing to build out the DC TV universe under James Gunn and Peter Safran’s direction of DC Studios. The weekly episodic release format is likely to continue like it did in Season 1.
Why Are Fans Excited for Season 2
The first season of Peacemaker has been celebrated for its originality, performances, and surprising emotional weight. The show also boasts a 94% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has created a dedicated fanbase attesting to:
Cena’s incredible breakout performance
Emotional gut punches throughout
Ridiculous action that had heart
That dang cool opening dance sequence to “Do Ya Wanna Taste It”
What John Cena Has To Say About Season 2
In a recent interview, Cena commented: “Season 2 explores more. We learn more about Chris Smith and who he is. He’s still a mess, but he’s starting to feel things again. And by the way, there’s a lot more blood. A lot.”
Director James Gunn added, “This season will test every single character’s belief systems in different ways. It’s darker, it’s funnier, and it’s a lot more emotional.”
That’s saying a lot—and if you know Gunn, you know he will.
How Peacemaker Will Work Within the New DC Universe
With James Gunn now co-head of DC Studios the potential for Peacemaker Season 2 to connect more closely with the wider DCU is excellent. Though Gunn hasn’t clarified any crossover, fans are speculating whether there might be hints connecting to Superman: Legacy (due July 2026) or possibly other projects such as The Authority.
This opens up Peacemaker’s significance not just as a fan-favorite show but as a narrative connector in the changing DC landscape.
Final Thoughts
John Cena’s return as Peacemaker is everything fans could want—and more. With a new action-packed trailer that hints at bigger fights, bigger emotion, and the same irreverent humor that made Season 1 so good; Season 2 is working to solidify its place as one of DC’s best series!
FAQs
1. When is Peacemaker Season 2 coming?
Peacemaker Season 2 is anticipated to be dropped premiere on August 21, 2025 on Max (previously HBO Max). However, an official premiere date has yet to be shared by DC Studios.
3. Is John Cena coming back as Peacemaker?
Yes, John Cena returns to the lead role as Christopher Smith aka Peacemaker. Season 2 picks up on his journey from the events of The Suicide Squad and Season 1.
4. Who from the cast is returning for Season 2?
Returning cast are:
John Cena as Peacemaker
Danielle Brooks as Leota Adebayo
Jennifer Holland as Emilia Harcourt
Steve Agee as John Economos
Freddie Stroma as Vigilante
Plus other characters, some of whom could be surprise cameos!
5. Is there a new villain for Season 2?
Yes, Season 2 will bring in a new shadowy organization called Project Tundra, plus additional mysterious villains! The trailer teases even more aliens and psychological warfare!
6. How many episodes will Peacemaker Season 2 have?
While there is nothing official, Season 2 is expected to have 8 episodes like Season 1.
Absolutely! Eagly, Peacemaker’s loyal pet eagle, will be back with more heroic (and funny) actions – we assume he will even come back wearing a camera helmet, as suggested in the trailer.