Peacemaker showrunner James Gunn has discussed the impact Batman and Superman have on the HBO Max series.
The DC Extended Universe is set to get its first television series in the form of Peacemaker, a spin-off of The Suicide Squad, which is also written and directed by James Gunn. Played by John Cena, the vigilante Peacemaker will get his origins explored in the HBO Max series, giving us greater insight into the character’s psyche. In an interview with Empire to discuss the series, Gunn broke down the oddities of Cena’s character, revealed that the series focuses on a “big science-fiction story”, discussed how the character is problematic and how he co-exists with DC’s finest heroes: Batman and Superman.
Unlike Superman, Peacemaker can’t boast fantastical superpowers like flight, nor can he claim to have Batman’s wit and a slew of gadgets. In breaking down the character, James Gunn brought up how Peacemaker exists within the greater confines of the DCEU, and how Batman and Superman have an impact on the character.
“He lives in the world of Superman, Batman, and Aquaman, and that is not an easy thing for him to contend with.”
Peacemaker is best known for pushing pacifism to the extreme, almost to the point where it becomes, well, extremist.
“He represents a part of the world populace that is problematic to say the least, and puts him in a situation where he has to face the choices he’s made throughout his life and the extremity of his views.”
James Gunn continued by discussing how the character of Peacemaker is overall no saint like Batman and Superman, comparing the character to literal filth.
“Peacemaker’s a piece of shit. He’s not a good guy. And he wears the goofiest costume you’ve ever seen in your life.
“Peacemaker has a clear set of ideals that I find really interesting. You know: ‘I want peace no matter how many men, women and children I need to kill to get it.’ Sounds like nonsense, but it also makes a lot of sense. And you see in John’s performance how he does not feel good about it – something I thought was the seed of an entire eight-episode show.”
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Peacemaker makes his debut in The Suicide Squad:
Welcome to hell—a.k.a. Belle Reve, the prison with the highest mortality rate in the US of A. Where the worst Super-Villains are kept and where they will do anything to get out—even join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X. Today’s do-or-die assignment? Assemble a collection of cons, including Bloodsport, Peacemaker, Captain Boomerang, Ratcatcher 2, Savant, King Shark, Blackguard, Javelin and everyone’s favorite psycho, Harley Quinn. Then arm them heavily and drop them (literally) on the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese. Trekking through a jungle teeming with militant adversaries and guerrilla forces at every turn, the Squad is on a search-and-destroy mission, with only Colonel Rick Flag on the ground to make them behave…and Amanda Waller’s government techies in their ears, tracking their every movement. And as always, one wrong move and they’re dead (whether at the hands of their opponents, a teammate, or Waller herself). If anyone’s laying down bets, the smart money is against them—all of them.
Written and directed by James Gunn, The Suicide Squad stars David Dastmalchian, John Cena, Jai Courtney, Joaquín Cosío, Nathan Fillion, Joel Kinnaman, Mayling Ng, Flula Borg, Sean Gunn, Juan Diego Botto, Storm Reid, Pete Davidson, Taika Waititi, Alice Braga, Steve Agee, Tinashe Kajese, Daniela Melchior, Peter Capaldi, Julio Ruiz, Jennifer Holland, Viola Davis, Idris Elba, Margot Robbie, and Michael Rooker.
The Suicide Squad is currently scheduled to hit theaters and HBO Max on August 6, 2021. Stay tuned for all the latest news on The Suicide Squad, Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn, and be sure to subscribe to Heroic Hollywood’s YouTube channel for more original video content.
Source: Empire
