James Gunn On Negative PEACEMAKER Reactions, Blue Beetle Expectations, Martian Manhunter Theories & More

James Gunn On Negative PEACEMAKER Reactions, Blue Beetle Expectations, Martian Manhunter Theories & More

James Gunn has weighed-in on a number of topics relating to the second season of Peacemaker, including the negative reactions to the recent finale...

By MarkCassidy - Oct 14, 2025 09:10 AM EST
Filed Under: Peacemaker

Peacemaker writer-director and DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn held a season 2 finale watch party on Threads last night, and addressed a number of topics relating to the episode - including the expectations many fans had heading into "Full Nelson."

Though many have come out in defence of the finale, it's fair to say that it has proven to be highly divisive, even among those who had been enjoying the show up to that point. Though it did set up some intriguing plot points for the DCU going forward, the mostly character-focused episode was light on any major reveals or set pieces.

Gunn was asked if he has taken note of the criticism of the show and the finale, and responded: "Not everyone can love everything. I love the episode, but I understand that not everyone does which is completely fair."

Another fan asked Gunn about the perception that the finale lacked big surprises, and the popular theory that former A.R.G.U.S. (Now Checkmate) agent Langston Fleury is really Martian Manhunter in disguise (he isn't).

"I don't get that people don't think there aren't big reveals here, including Checkmate and Salvation," Gunn added.

In a recent interview, Gunn all-but confirmed that we will see Xolo Maridueña as Blue Beetle in the DCU at some point, with many assuming that he was referring to the Peacemaker finale specifically.

"I never said Blue Beetle was going to be there," Gunn clarified. "I said people might be in luck who want to see Blue Beetle again."

Finally, Gunn discussed Rick Flag Sr.'s apparent villainous turn, and the notion that he hates all metahumans.

"Rick doesn't hate metahumans. He's afraid of the power some metahumans have dictating world politics (as started by Superman and the Justice Gang - especially Hawkgirl) and mostly afraid of how difficult it is to contain metahuman criminals. Happersen hates all metahumans and maybe Otis and Lex. But Flag just wants a way to protect Americans and goes about it in a callous fashion. Oh and obviously he hates Peacemaker for killing his son"

What do you make of Gunn's responses? Did you enjoy season 2 of Peacemaker? You can let us know what you thought by voting in our poll.

Peacemaker season 2 follows Chris Smith, the vigilante superhero, as he struggles to reconcile his past with his newfound sense of purpose while continuing to kick righteous evildoer butt in his misguided quest for peace at any cost. He discovers an alternate world where life is everything he wishes it could be. But this discovery also forces him to face his traumatic past and take the future into his own hands.

"The new season follows Christopher 'Chris' Smith, aka Peacemaker, the vigilante Super Hero as he struggles to reconcile his past with his newfound sense of purpose while continuing to kick righteous evil-doer butt in his misguided quest for peace at any cost.

In season 2, Peacemaker discovers an alternate world where life is everything he wishes it could be. But this discovery also forces him to face his traumatic past and take the future into his own hands.”

The PEACEMAKER Season 2 Finale Did Include One Surprise Cameo... From James Gunn Himself
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The PEACEMAKER Season 2 Finale Did Include One Surprise Cameo... From James Gunn Himself

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PEACEMAKER Season 2 Poll & Spoiler Discussion: What Did You Make Of James Gunn's Latest DCU Project?

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Wahhvacado
Wahhvacado - 10/14/2025, 9:09 AM
The finale was shit
ClungeOfSteel
ClungeOfSteel - 10/14/2025, 9:10 AM
Jennifer: 'i also understand it must be weird seeing your wife kissing another person'

Gunn: 'huh' User Comment Image
Lisa89
Lisa89 - 10/14/2025, 9:12 AM
"I don't get that people don't think there aren't big reveals here, including Checkmate and Salvation.”

NEEEEEEEEEEEEERD !!!
Malatrova15
Malatrova15 - 10/14/2025, 9:13 AM
Im just glad he shipped His wife to a hunk . gunn Is really a caricolorico
Vigor
Vigor - 10/14/2025, 9:16 AM
Im not a DC person. But when someone says expect big reveals, im expecting names ive heard of. Not "Checkmate and Salvation"

TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 10/14/2025, 10:02 AM
@Vigor - really?

I guess it’s a matter of perspective because Checkmate atleast is pretty big but as you said , I guess it depends on how big of a DC fan you are.

Fair point on Salvation though since that’s rather obscure.
kseven
kseven - 10/14/2025, 10:52 AM
@Vigor - you're just not that big of a DC fan then huh.

We got Lex Luthor in an episode, but what do you expect to see in a Peacemaker show?
Vigor
Vigor - 10/14/2025, 11:01 AM
@kseven - but just saw lex in superman. Thats not that surprising. Maybe mcu on didney plus spoiled me. But seeing cross over actors from movies to tv shows isn't that big. My feelings of course
Vigor
Vigor - 10/14/2025, 11:07 AM
@TheVisionary25 - yeah im just not big on DC
I know young justice and justice league. Thats it lol
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 10/14/2025, 11:13 AM
@Vigor - that’s fair haha.
ReverseFlasher
ReverseFlasher - 10/14/2025, 11:17 AM
@Vigor - Yes its even less mind blowing when you realize they paused superman production mid summer last year to film peacemaker s2 episodes, so basically they all did it while on set already.
kseven
kseven - 10/14/2025, 11:22 AM
@ReverseFlasher - that was smart. Would you have preferred they didn't?
ReverseFlasher
ReverseFlasher - 10/14/2025, 11:27 AM
@kseven - obviously its logical, Im just saying its not that big of a surprise, just like people arent surprised to see lex when they just saw him, they arent as IMPRESSED because they were already filming together, had the look for the other shoot etc… its less of a get and less impressive. thats all.
kseven
kseven - 10/14/2025, 12:10 PM
@ReverseFlasher - Speak for yourself. I was impressed and surprised
SteviesRightFoo
SteviesRightFoo - 10/14/2025, 9:16 AM
Clinging onto some hope the paramount deal goes through and gunn + his team are fired/prevented from touching a DC property ever again
ClungeOfSteel
ClungeOfSteel - 10/14/2025, 10:12 AM
@SteviesRightFoo - do you think they'll actually fire him?

Supershit was enough of a success critically and financially (in raw numbers) for them to keep him on.....sadly
SteviesRightFoo
SteviesRightFoo - 10/14/2025, 10:31 AM
@ClungeOfSteel - its really more of a fools hope than anything else
Bucky74
Bucky74 - 10/14/2025, 11:22 AM
@ClungeOfSteel - Many reports are saying Superman LOST money for WB and Peacemaker’s numbers were lower than a low rated episode of The Flash, so I don’t get how he still has the keys when he’s metaphorically driving drunk. Gunn does misfit characters well but even that shtick is wearing thin. Suicide Squad should have been his bread and butter and it was only (imo) pretty good. Peacemaker went downhill and Gunn has leaned into divisive Left politics in what feels like a desperate attempt to virtue signal and make up for his poor quality recent work.
roboticJohnson
roboticJohnson - 10/14/2025, 11:34 AM
@Bucky74 - what divisive left politics exactly?
Bucky74
Bucky74 - 10/14/2025, 11:38 AM
@roboticJohnson - The Middle East war and his take on it, and the Left’s Nazi obsession and how “it’s not much different from our world”. Ridiculous
DarthOmega
DarthOmega - 10/14/2025, 9:32 AM
User Comment Image

It's been like 5 whole seconds without a James Gunn article. I was starting to get worried there
WalletsClosed
WalletsClosed - 10/14/2025, 9:33 AM
Gunn is high off his own supply.

Reboot the MCU and DCU
JobinJ
JobinJ - 10/14/2025, 9:51 AM
Season 2 was a bore.
McMurdo
McMurdo - 10/14/2025, 9:54 AM
Having this be the follow up to Superman was a big mistake.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 10/14/2025, 10:01 AM
The whole Langston Fleury being Martian Manhunter theory is just indicative of fandom in general now who make up these stories in there and get disappointed/mad at the creatives when that stuff doesn’t pan out , same with Blue Beetle being in Peacemaker apparently when Gunn never stated that would be the case.

Also dude gave the best response he could about the criticisms for the finale , I didn’t love it myself but did think it was decent-good at the least since I found it pretty satisfying from a character standpoint if not story wise atleast.

Anyway , I still found the show and both seasons of Peacemaker to be solid overall!!.
SpideyPuffsMJ
SpideyPuffsMJ - 10/14/2025, 10:01 AM
I think the next Gunn-Superman vehicle not even having Superman in the title is *not* a good sign for anyone that wanted more Superman and less side characters from his first movie. Get ready for an ensemble, Gunn has given every indication this is NOT going to be Superman 2. I can't imagine what that looks like given how stuffed his initial outing was.
kseven
kseven - 10/14/2025, 10:51 AM
@SpideyPuffsMJ - twist: what if Gunn just liked working with Hoult more than Corenswet?

And the movie is literally called Man Of Tomorrow....you do know that's one of Superman's original monikers, right?

I'm excited for more Lex and Superman. This is the best version of the characters in live action in 30 years.
HelloBoysImBack
HelloBoysImBack - 10/14/2025, 10:05 AM
He don't care he literally does this so his "friends" will like him and so he'll get a handjob once in a while
kseven
kseven - 10/14/2025, 10:45 AM
Finale was easily the best episode of the show. Not sure what everyone is mad about.

Also, I love how all the fantards that think any random black character must be the Martian Manhunter like they have done in the CW and snyderverse continue to get mega shit on here. John Jones is white in the comics, also, if Martian Manhunter lives in "racist" America, why would he choose to be a black person as his disguise to blend in and avoid persecution? So dumb.

Also loved Gunn's detailed answer about his wife kissing Cena. Internet monkeys really need to touch grass.
MisterBones
MisterBones - 10/14/2025, 10:47 AM
When they walked out of Checkmate they looked like they were leaving a Dick's Sporting Goods
ReverseFlasher
ReverseFlasher - 10/14/2025, 11:22 AM
@MisterBones - LMAO best comment ive seen in a minute.
CreateNowSlpL8r
CreateNowSlpL8r - 10/14/2025, 10:49 AM
Gunn can write, the problem is he can only write one thing and it doesn't appy to everything. He should have let someone else do Superman.

Secondly, without restraint, this guy is a full on weirdo. I don't know why he felt the need to put that orgy scene in but this series are like his worst impulses all in one. I mildly enjoyed the first season. I'm not as tight assed about the Earth-X thing but the political commentary didn't help the show because its an outdated trope now.

It's pretty bad writing when an out, black lesbian, business owner, can do whatever she wants but makes the comment that her world is so close to one where they lock black people up. They basically aren't allowed to exist.

Yeah, that one doesn't really land.

I think the cast has potential. The season just lacked an overall plot. Gunn's DCU is in big trouble already. Superman lost money. No one is going to see Supergirl and Peace Maker bombed. If I was WB, I would get restraints on this guy. Get him to hire other talent for Superman so the next one is a hit.
kseven
kseven - 10/14/2025, 10:54 AM
@CreateNowSlpL8r - yeah the orgy was pretty weird and gross.

All the people asking about Cena kissing his wife should be asking about that instead...
Vigor
Vigor - 10/14/2025, 11:13 AM
@CreateNowSlpL8r - the concept of supergirl sounds exciting tho. Space adventure. Bad ass chick. Lobo
CreateNowSlpL8r
CreateNowSlpL8r - 10/14/2025, 11:19 AM
@Vigor - Maybe. I just wouldn't lead with that. I cant say its bad since I havent seen it but he cant keep putting out the same kind of movie with different characters. In a way, thats what Snyder did.
CreateNowSlpL8r
CreateNowSlpL8r - 10/14/2025, 11:21 AM
@kseven - It was just so random. Like how did that help the story? You could have just shown him getting drunk or something. People wonder why everyone thinks Hollywood is a bunch or weirdos.
Arthorious
Arthorious - 10/14/2025, 11:43 AM
@CreateNowSlpL8r - agreed, peacemaker season 2 should’ve been placed on the bench for a while (and definitely reworked) and perhaps lanterns or another show should’ve filled the gap.
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 10/14/2025, 11:55 AM
@CreateNowSlpL8r - He definitely overindulges his impulses to include juvenile humor. I think a lot of his comedy does land, but yeah, that orgy scene was added simply because it's an adult show and he could... and he thinks ugly bouncing penises is funny, I guess.
ReverseFlasher
ReverseFlasher - 10/14/2025, 11:12 AM
directors are literally hype men now, more than ever.

after the way gunn talked about flash its your own fault if you let your expectations get too high.
ReverseFlasher
ReverseFlasher - 10/14/2025, 11:14 AM
@ReverseFlasher - But I will also say its downright gaslighting to be like “Blue Beetle fans might have something exciting to see”, and have literally nothing related to the character appear.

So despite liking most of his work, kinda completely NOT on gunns side here.
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