James Gunn has never shied away from bold narrative risks. However, ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 has pushed the envelope in ways few expected. What begins as a strangely idyllic alternate universe spirals into a shocking revelation: Peacemaker has willingly crossed into Earth X, a world where Nazi Germany won World War II.
The twist is executed with unnerving subtlety, making both Peacemaker and large parts of the audience initially blind to the disturbing truth hiding in plain sight. But the Earth X reveal isn’t the only major development. The surprise appearance of Lex Luthor has triggered speculation across the DC fandom. Gunn has now shed light on how these pieces connect and where they’re headed next.
James Gunn On ‘Peacemaker’s Biggest Twists Yet
From the moment Christopher Smith steps into the alternate reality, everything appears too perfect. His brother Keith is alive and thriving as Captain Triumph, his father is revered as the heroic Blue Dragon, and his alt-self is conveniently dead, allowing him to slip into a better life without guilt. Yet something is undeniably strange. The world looks clean, cheerful, and harmonious, but it’s also suspiciously uniform. Harcourt picks up on the first red flag almost immediately: there are no people of color anywhere.
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Peacemaker, however, is so desperate for belonging that he doesn’t notice what’s right in front of his face. The turning point arrives when the team crosses over to bring him back. Adebayo ventures outside and is instantly met with horror, not hospitality. Locals stare at her in disbelief before a panicked Keith slams on the brakes and screams, “One got out! A Black!” Within moments, she is being chased by a furious mob of Nazi Americans.
At the same time, Peacemaker and Harcourt discover that the American flags in A.R.G.U.S. have replaced their stars with swastikas. Gunn reveals he deliberately buried the unsettling truth in everyday details to mirror Peacemaker’s own obliviousness. “Peacemaker isn’t racist, but he’s wrapped up in his own emotional needs. He judges the world by how it treats him,” Gunn told Variety. “I wanted the audience to fall into that same mindset.”
During private test screenings, viewers, including people of color, largely missed the absence of diversity until the reveal. Gunn believes that reaction says as much about real-world conditioning as it does about the show’s characters. Despite filming amid the 2024 presidential election, Gunn stresses that he leads with story and emotion, not political messaging. “I don’t write to prove a point,” he says. “But real life seeps in whether you want it to or not.”
Lex Luthor’s Cameo And Superman’s Absence Explained
While the Earth X twist dominated headlines, another scene sparked just as much discussion: Rick Flag Sr. visiting Lex Luthor in Belle Reve prison. The character appears briefly but meaningfully, and his presence sets up larger implications across the DCU. Superman fans immediately wondered if David Corenswet would appear as either version of Clark Kent. Gunn’s answer was decisive: no.
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“David was really upset that Nick got to be on the show and he didn’t,” Gunn admitted. “It just didn’t work for the story.” Superman’s absence wasn’t an oversight; it was intentional. Gunn brought Lex in for a specific narrative function tied directly to the upcoming feature film ‘Man of Tomorrow‘. “What Lex and Rick Flag are up to affects what happens in Man of Tomorrow. It’s all connected,” he confirms.
Gunn also revealed that he’d already mapped out the trajectory of the DC Universe before taking the job. This includes which shows and films would intertwine. However, fans shouldn’t expect Earth X to become a major recurring storyline. “It’s not going to be a big part of the DCU overall,” Gunn notes. “Earth X is about Peacemaker, not the larger universe.” Despite tackling themes of racism, complicity, and extremism, Gunn insists that emotional storytelling remains his foundation.
