James Gunn should really feel like a child in a sweet retailer proper now, as “Superman” has been placing a chord with critics and audiences alike. Bolstered by an enthralling lead efficiency from David Corenswet, the hopecore strategy to the character has proved to be the precise type of refresh button the Man of Metal wanted. /Movie’s Chris Evangelista praised the superhero movie as a foolish and charming crowd pleaser in his evaluate. Along with directing/writing further initiatives for DC Studios, Gunn is the person who makes all the things go spherical, appearing because the manufacturing firm’s co-CEO along with his accomplice Peter Safran. The newly based DC Universe, which began with the animated present “Creature Commandos,” is supposed to behave as a recent begin for informal and harcore comedian e-book followers alike. However the upcoming second season of “Peacemaker” makes issues a bit extra sophisticated.
Gunn adopted up his tackle 2021’s “The Suicide Squad” with the spin-off tv sequence “Peacemaker” for HBO Max, wherein John Cena reprises his function because the titular mercenary who finds himself really studying what it means to work with a workforce. /Movie’s Danielle Ryan solely had heaps of reward for Gunn’s vulgar, violent masterpiece in her evaluate. Information that “Peacemaker” would get a second season got here as a shock contemplating that the primary season takes place within the DC Prolonged Universe. Though it is not fairly as surprising contemplating it very a lot suits consistent with Gunn bringing his buddies alongside to his successive initiatives. Whenever you’re one of many head honchos of the DCU, you’ll be able to primarily do no matter you want.
Promotional materials for “Peacemaker” season 2 has all however teased the violent superhero’s induction into the DCU with glimpses of Nathan Fillion’s Man Gardner and Isabela Merced’s Hawkgirl. Each characters made their true cinematic universe debut in “Superman.” Their inclusion, nevertheless, illustrates that the tv sequence’ subsequent chapter will certainly be happening within the DCU. This raises all types of questions on what’s and is not canon anymore contemplating the season one finale of “Peacemaker” incorporates a temporary encounter with the DCEU Justice League. Moreover, A.R.G.U.S. (Superior Analysis Group Uniting Superhumans) brokers John Economos (Steve Agee) and Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) will likely be reprising their roles in “Peacemaker” season two.
Each characters have made appearances in non-Gunn associated DCEU initiatives like “Black Adam” and “Shazam: Fury of the Gods,” which makes issues a bit murky as to what even counts anymore. When Gunn was requested if these two movies had been nonetheless thought of essential due to their involvement, he did not precisely mince phrases. “They don’t seem to be canon! I hate it,” says Gunn. (by way of Den of Geek).
Black Adam and Shazam: Fury of the Gods are relics of the earlier DC regime
Based mostly on Gunn’s feedback, it looks as if he is selecting and selecting which DCEU characters and initiatives nonetheless have a foot going into the DCU. It makes complete sense why he is looking for to distance himself from “Black Adam” and “Shazam: Fury of the Gods,” as each movies had been crucial and monetary disappointments that signaled the tip of the earlier DC regime. I nonetheless get a superb snicker out of /Movie’s Witney Seibold calling Teth-Adam’s live-action cinematic debut a “superhero film, however worse” in his scathing evaluate. Dwayne Johnson’s failed DC takeover, coupled with Zachary Levi’s “foot-in-mouth” syndrome, made it clear that there is not any path ahead with their characters (or their interpretations, at the least) within the DCU.
Agee and Holland’s temporary scenes in each motion pictures had been largely unrelated to what occurs within the first season of “Peacemaker.” In “Black Adam,” Agent Harcourt collects Teth-Adam’s physique in Activity Pressure X’s underwater jail, whereas “Fury of the Gods” sees each her and Agent Economos making an attempt to recruit Shazam for the Justice Society. Neither of these threads actually matter anymore transferring ahead, so it is comprehensible why Gunn is simply planning to disregard them. This nonetheless does not make the distinctions between worlds that a lot simpler to digest.
For instance, DC Studios is transferring ahead with an Amanda Waller tv sequence set within the DCU, with Viola Davis set to reprise her function from each “Suicide Squad” motion pictures, “Black Adam” and “Peacemaker.” 2023’s underated “Blue Beetle” is not thought of a DC Studios film by Gunn because it was developed throughout the DCEU tenure, however is technically thought of to be part of his DCU.
If this all appears fairly complicated, don’t fret since you’ll get the solutions you search. Though, in keeping with Gunn, you will must tune into the “Peacemaker” podcast in an effort to discover out (by way of Den of Geek):
“There are particular issues from the outdated universe that we consult with in ‘Peacemaker’ season 2, however till then, they don’t seem to be canon; Nearly all the things from season 1 is canon, however season 2 will clarify all the things that’s or is just not canon.”
The neatest choice would have been to wipe the slate clear totally and uncouple the earlier spherical of DC initiatives from the brand new ones in an effort to keep away from confusion among the many common public. All of it appears a lot extra sophisticated than it must be, however I am certain “Peacemaker” will discover a loopy strategy to make the transition as clean because it presumably can. All we will do at this level is wait and see.
“Superman” is now enjoying in theaters nationwide.
