How Peacemaker Season 2 Retcons the DCU Timeline
Peacemaker Season 2 begins not with a confusing explanation, but with a straightforward “Previously in the DCU” recap. This montage, featuring events from Season 1, immediately establishes that the broad strokes of the first season are indeed canon to the new DCU. The key changes are delivered through two subtle but significant reshoots. The character Leota Adebayo now refers to the “Justice Gang” instead of the “Justice League.” Furthermore, the Season 1 finale’s cameo has been reshot, replacing actors like Jason Momoa and Ezra Miller with the new DCU’s Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, and Mister Terrific, who arrive alongside Superman and Supergirl.
This approach allows creator James Gunn to keep the core story intact while updating specific details to fit the new continuity. It’s a practical solution that prioritizes narrative flow over complex lore. The idea is that any event or scene referenced in Peacemaker Season 2, either in the story or through the recap, is officially part of DCU canon. This means that while the Justice League lineup is different, the emotional journey of Christopher Smith and his team defeating the butterfly invasion remains a foundational event in this universe.
The Official DCU Timeline So Far
With the canon now clarified, the timeline of the DCU begins to take a clear shape. The events serve as the foundational entry point, introducing Amanda Waller’s Task Force X and the mission to Corto Maltese. This is directly followed by Peacemaker Season 1, which explored the aftermath of that film. The animated series Creature Commandos then picks up the thread, featuring characters like Viola Davis’s Amanda Waller and Steve Agee’s John Economos and directly referencing the events of The Suicide Squad.
The recently released film Superman is the next chronological chapter, set in a world already aware of metahumans and Amanda Waller’s shady operations. Peacemaker Season 2 then continues this story, reacting to the world-changing events of Superman. This clear sequence—The Suicide Squad, Peacemaker S1, Creature Commandos, Superman, and Peacemaker S2—provides a solid backbone for the growing DCU, with projects like Supergirl, Lanterns, and The Brave and the Bold set to expand it further.
Why a Flexible Canon is Good for Storytelling
While fans enjoy debating continuity, James Gunn has consistently emphasized that the primary goal is to tell great, character-driven stories that can stand on their own. A viewer does not need to have seen Creature Commandos to understand Superman, nor is Peacemaker Season 2 dependent on having seen every prior DC film. The series uses broad references, like “the Lex Luthor incident,” which allows dedicated fans to enjoy the connection while casual viewers can simply understand it as a major news event.
This philosophy mirrors the best of DC Comics, where iconic, self-contained stories like The Dark Knight Returns are celebrated outside of main continuity. The focus is on whether the story is compelling, not whether every detail aligns perfectly with a decade of previous films. By avoiding a massive, confusing reboot event, the DCU has gracefully acknowledged its past while confidently stepping into a new era defined by a singular creative vision.
The launch of the DCU is not about erasing the past but building upon its best parts, and Peacemaker Season 2 masterfully demonstrates that a great story, filled with heart and humor, is the only canon that truly matters. Stream Peacemaker Season 2 now on HBO Max to see the new universe in action.
Must Know
What is the main change Peacemaker Season 2 makes to the DCU?
The season retcons the Justice League cameo from Season 1. Through reshoots, the team is now called the “Justice Gang” and consists of the new DCU’s Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, and Mister Terrific alongside Superman and Supergirl, replacing the previous DCEU actors.
Is The Suicide Squad (2021) part of the DCU canon?
Yes, the broad events of The Suicide Squad are canon to the DCU. It serves as the starting point for the new universe, introducing characters and events that are directly referenced in Peacemaker and Creature Commandos.
Do I need to watch other DCU projects to understand Peacemaker Season 2?
No, Peacemaker Season 2 is designed to be enjoyed on its own. While there are references to Superman and other events, they are explained within the context of the show’s story, making it accessible to new viewers.
What is the current order of the DCU timeline?
The timeline begins with The Suicide Squad (2021), followed by Peacemaker Season 1, the animated series Creature Commandos, the film Superman, and then Peacemaker Season 2.
Will any other DCEU characters besides Peacemaker return?
Viola Davis is confirmed to return as Amanda Waller, and her character’s history from The Suicide Squad remains largely intact. Other returns have not been officially announced, focusing the DCU on new iterations of classic characters.
How does Peacemaker Season 2 connect to Superman?
The season takes place after the events of Superman. Characters reference “the Lex Luthor incident” and the public’s changed perception of superheroes following the events of the film, placing the story firmly in the aftermath of that movie.
