With marketing ramping up forPeacemakerseason 2, it looks like the acclaimed series is bringing back a major villain from the days of theDCEU, and I need to know why. While the DCU’s first movie,Superman, is due to be released on July 11,Peacemakerwill be hot on its heels as it premieres on Jun 27, 2025. If the trailers, teasers, and sneak peeks of both of these installments are anything to go by, then I think the prognosis forthe future of DC’s new cinematic universelooks positive.
Peacemakerseason 1 was one ofthe best-rated DCEU installments, after all, spinning off from the equally acclaimedThe Suicide Squadto focus on a lesser-known roster of incredibly entertaining DC characters. Still, its renewal has sparked some confusion, given that the first and second seasons ostensibly take place in different continuities. Now, that confusion has been exacerbated by the apparent return of a character who died in season 1, but I think I know howPeacemakerseason 2 will explain their return.
The DC Universe’s Reboot Is Bringing A Roster Of DCEU Characters Along With It
The Entire Peacemaker Season 1 Cast Are Returning
The DC Universe is a reboot of the DCEU, which began in 2013 withMan of Steeland concluded a decade later withAquaman and the Lost Kingdom. The reboot meant thatthe main players of the DCEU, like Henry Cavill’s Superman and Jason Momoa’s Aquaman, would be replaced by brand-new iterations, starting with David Corenswet’s rendition of the Man of Steel inSuperman. Nevertheless, a similar fate hasn’t befallenevery character originating in the DCEU, notably includingthe entire cast ofPeacemaker.
Viola Davis and Sean Gunn have also reprised their roles as Amanda Waller and Weasel, respectively.
Whilethis raises a pertinent question about what is and isn’t canon in the first season ofPeacemaker, DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn already clarified that previous events will become canon if and when they are mentioned in the show. Thankfully forPeacemaker, it wasn’t particularly tethered to the other DCEU installments outside of one conspicuous interaction between the 11th Street Kids and the Justice League atthe end ofPeacemakerseason 1. This presumably means that the scene will be glossed over, unlessPeacemakerseason 2 leans into it with a different explanation.
I’m So Interested To See How & Why The DC Universe Appears To Be Bringing A Villain Who Died In Peacemaker Season 1 Back Into Its Story
White Dragon Can Be Seen In A Newly Released Featurette
While continuing to promotePeacemakerseason 2, director James Gunn and main star John Cena both attended CCXP Mexico and unveiled anotherPeacemakersneak peek featurette posted toYouTube. The video provides plenty of behind-the-scenes insights into the making of the show, interspersed with snippets of the final product. Interestingly,these preview shots reveal that Peacemaker’s father, the White Dragon, will be returning to the showafter being killed off in season 1. While his costume sports a new color scheme of blue and white, the antagonist’s distinctive helmet is unmistakable.
If at least most ofPeacemakerseason 1 is to be considered canon, retconning Auggie Smith’s death would certainly feel out of left field. Instead,I wonder if the White Dragon seen briefly in thePeacemakerfeaturette comes from another universe. This is certainly the prevailing and most convincing theory, as anotherPeacemakerteaser revealed that Chris Smith will encounter a variant of himself after stumbling through the pocket dimension that contains his arsenal of helmets. The mere existence of a pocket dimension suggests multiple universes, andPeacemakerseason 2 could be leaning into that multiversal concept.
Peacemaker Season 2 Bringing White Dragon Back Seems Like A Fascinating Move For The Titular Hero’s Story
Is Peacemaker About To Center On The DCU’s Multiverse?
ProvidedPeacemakerseason 2 will be capitalizing on the concept of the multiverse, I’m struck by the timing. While this would probably be the cleanest way for the DCU to address the elephant in the room, bringing its characters from one universe to another to help explain whythe DCU’s Justice Leaguenow looks so different,it’s hard to ignore how audiences have begun souring on the multiverse as a concept. If the DCU wishes to get off to the best possible start, then this is a risky move from James Gunn.
The idea of a White Dragon from another universe who might even exhibit an entirely different ethos to the loathsome Auggie Smith of Peacemaker’s original universe offers up some fascinating narrative opportunities.
Instead, I thinkPeacemakerseason 2 will explore the multiverse as a side-story, rather than establishing it as a core part of the narrative from the jump. The idea of a White Dragon from another universe who might even exhibit an entirely different ethos to the loathsome Auggie Smith of Peacemaker’s original universe offers up some fascinating narrative opportunities. This is especially true when it comes to Peacemaker’s relationship with his father, especially if a potential alternate universe also features a living variant of Peacemaker’s brother.
