James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ has officially launched the new era of DC Studios, and it does so by acting as both a beginning and a continuation. While it’s the first live-action film of the DCU reboot, it subtly and cleverly ties into events and characters from earlier projects like ‘The Suicide Squad’ and ‘Peacemaker’.
It also sets the stage for upcoming releases such as ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2. With David Corenswet stepping into the cape of Clark Kent, this ‘Superman’ is more than just the start; it’s the foundation of something much bigger. Additionally, at the center of that expanding universe is John Cena’s Peacemaker.
‘Superman’ And ‘Peacemaker’ Had A Clear Connection
One of the clearest connections between ‘Superman’ and ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 is through Rick Flag Sr. Though originally introduced in the animated ‘Creature Commandos’, he makes his live-action appearance here in a powerful supporting role, and his scenes matter. Early in the film, Lex Luthor pitches his anti-metahuman task force to the U.S. government. While some officials seem intrigued, Flag Sr. stands firm in opposition.
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This tension peaks in a key moment toward the end of the movie, after Kal-El’s dramatic defeat of Luthor and the Justice Gang’s successful mission in the fictional nation of Jarhanpurn. “Glad you’re not worried about the metahumans, Rick, because now they’re the ones making the rules…” This line, for fans paying attention, speaks volumes. It sets up Flag’s shifting perception of super-powered beings.
Moreover, this will likely be deeply explored in Season 2, where Flag takes on the mantle of Director of ARGUS. Having experienced firsthand the rise of metahuman power and the instability it can bring, Flag’s future actions may be less about resisting them and more about controlling them.
Adding to that setup is the Justice Gang. This new super-team introduced in Superman includes Guy Gardner, Hawkgirl, Mister Terrific, and later, Metamorpho. Not only do they assist Superman in the final act, but their presence expands the roster of active heroes in this new DCU. In the ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 trailer, members of the Gang are seen interviewing Cena’s Peacemaker for potential recruitment, only to reject him quickly.
James Gunn Explains What’s Canon And What’s Not
Even Peacemaker himself pops up in Superman, albeit briefly. In a quick but memorable cameo, Christopher Smith is seen giving an interview, reacting to the shocking Jor-El transmission that reveals Superman’s original mission was to conquer Earth. Peacemaker’s reaction? “Superman? Yeah, I know him. He thinks he’s better than everyone else.” It solidifies one very important point: this is the same Peacemaker we saw in Season 1.
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He remembers the events of ‘The Suicide Squad’. He has opinions. He’s been around the block. This consistency is vital for fans who were concerned about the continuity confusion surrounding the DCU reboot. James Gunn has addressed this confusion head-on. In a recent interview with Den of Geek, he made it crystal clear: “Nothing is canon before Creature Commandos.”
He added that past events like those from ‘The Suicide Squad’ can be considered “vague memories” rather than hard canon. It’s a soft reboot, in other words. ‘Peacemaker’ Season 1 is “mostly” canon, and Season 2 will explain what sticks and what doesn’t. Importantly, Gunn acknowledged that some inconsistencies are inevitable. “There are going to be mistakes,” he admitted. “When you’re building a world this big, like Game of Thrones, Star Wars, Marvel things are bound to shift.”
