SPOILERS: This post contains details about the Peacemaker Season 2 finale.
The End of Peacemaker—For Now
The journey of Christopher Smith has reached a crossroads. With the Peacemaker Season 2 finale now streaming on HBO Max, showrunner James Gunn confirms this is the end of the road for the series—at least for now. But while the show may be taking a bow, the character’s story in the broader DC Universe is far from over.
The finale delivers an emotionally charged conclusion that stands in stark contrast to Season 1’s explosive alien invasion climax. Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo) leads his team through the Quantum Unfolding Chamber, searching alternate dimensions for the perfect location to execute his master plan. Meanwhile, John Cena’s Chris Smith faces his darkest hour yet, confronting demons both internal and interdimensional.
From Peacemaker to Chris Smith: A Journey of Self-Discovery
“The first season is about Peacemaker. The second season is about Chris Smith,” Gunn explains. Where Season 1 saw Chris grappling with the aftermath of his actions while remaining oblivious to his deep-seated trauma, Season 2 forces him to confront those wounds head-on. “By the end of Season 1, he becomes aware of this trauma, and I think in Season 2, he’s aware of it, and it actually makes his life a little bit harder,” Gunn notes, comparing the experience to therapy’s sometimes painful process of self-discovery.
Interdimensional Chaos and the Deadpool That Almost Was
The season’s interdimensional exploration provided Gunn with an opportunity to blend dark comedy with genuine tragedy. When Auggie 2 casually mentioned visiting “imp land” to grab giant peppermint sticks in the season premiere, audiences likely assumed it was throwaway dialogue. The finale reveals it was anything but, transforming that whimsical reference into a hellish reality that Gunn describes as reminiscent of Hong Kong Category III films—those cult classics that masterfully balance absurdity with authentic emotional weight.
The Quantum Unfolding Chamber sequence allowed for creative experimentation, though not every idea made the final cut. Gunn reveals that one particular door almost led to a major crossover moment: Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool. “I talked to Ryan Reynolds about it and we’d have had to go through some pretty big hoops to do that. He wanted to do it,” Gunn confirms, before acknowledging with characteristic humor, “That’s all anybody’s going to talk about now is f*cking Deadpool in the other room.”
Building the DCU: Salvation and Checkmate Take Center Stage
Beyond the multiverse mayhem, Season 2 strategically positioned two major elements within the DCU framework: the planet Salvation and the Checkmate agency. These weren’t last-minute additions but core components Gunn had mapped out before the writers room even convened. Both will play instrumental roles in the overarching DCU narrative moving forward, with Checkmate evolving from the startup operation seen in Season 2 into a formidable force.
No Season 3, But the Story Continues
As for a potential third season? Gunn is definitive: “No, this is about the wider DCU and other stories in which this will play out right now.” While he doesn’t completely close the door on Peacemaker’s return to television, his focus has clearly shifted to integrating Chris Smith into the larger cinematic universe. “Peacemaker is an important character,” Gunn emphasizes. “I said from the beginning when we took on this job, it’s about really propping up and maintaining the big diamond properties that DC has, the Batmans and Wonder Womans and Supermans, and then creating diamond properties out of the smaller characters like Peacemaker.”
The finale also births what Gunn describes as a new supervillain in Keith Smith, though the character’s trajectory remains somewhat fluid. “I have plans for Keith, I just haven’t figured out exactly how it’s all going to work out,” he admits, noting the complexity of weaving interdimensional storylines together cohesively.
James Gunn Talks DCU Strategy and Future Projects
The interview above was aggregated from Deadline
Gunn’s approach to the DCU remains refreshingly grounded: each project must function as compelling standalone entertainment while contributing to the larger tapestry. “Can people sit down and watch Peacemaker Season 2 by itself? Maybe watching Peacemaker Season 1 and be thoroughly entertained. The answer is yes,” he states. “That’s my only litmus test.”
The Waller series, meanwhile, continues to face development challenges. Unlike Peacemaker, which flowed naturally from conception to execution, the Amanda Waller project has hit a “rockier road.” Gunn maintains his commitment to quality over expediency: “We’ll never greenlight something where the scripts aren’t working, and we just haven’t had that yet with the Waller show.” Despite these hurdles, Gunn expresses hope that Viola Davis will return to the role, praising her as “one of the greatest actors I’ve ever worked with.”
Looking ahead, Gunn has already mapped out his next directorial ventures within the DCU. Man of Tomorrow, a concept he’s harbored for years, sits at the forefront. “I think I know the next few I’m directing,” he reveals, describing a interconnected narrative involving Salvation, Rick Flag, Lex Luthor, and Superman. “There’s one big story,” he explains, confirming that while each project stands alone, they collectively build toward something greater.
The transition from writer-director to producer-executive hasn’t been seamless for Gunn, who admits producing doesn’t come as naturally as his core creative work. “I’m trying to be the best producer I can. It’s a personal challenge,” he acknowledges. Yet his commitment remains unwavering: “I’m beholden to the story in those things as much as I am to the story of my own stuff.”
As Peacemaker concludes its television run, Christopher Smith’s journey continues—just on a bigger stage. The character who began as a morally ambiguous antagonist in The Suicide Squad has evolved into what Gunn clearly envisions as a cornerstone of the new DCU. Whether audiences next encounter him in Supergirl, Man of Tomorrow, or somewhere else entirely remains to be seen. For now, Gunn is keeping those cards close to his chest: “That’s a secret.”
What’s certain is that this isn’t goodbye to Christopher Smith. It’s simply the end of one chapter and the beginning of something potentially much larger.
