Deadpool Almost Crashed Peacemaker Season 2: Here's What James Gunn Said!

Hold onto your helmets, DC and Marvel fans! James Gunn just spilled the tea on a mind-blowing cameo that almost happened in the Peacemaker Season 2 finale, featuring none other than Ryan Reynolds' Merc with a Mouth.

TL;DR

James Gunn confirmed he talked to Ryan Reynolds about Deadpool making a cameo in the Peacemaker Season 2 finale.
Reynolds was totally on board, but "pretty big hoops" (read: legal stuff between studios) stopped the epic Marvel/DC crossover.
While a Peacemaker Season 3 isn't currently planned, Gunn assures fans that John Cena's Peacemaker is a "really important" character for the wider DCU's future.

The Multiverse Door That Could Have Changed Everything for Superhero Fans

Alright, superhero enthusiasts, gather 'round because James Gunn, the man steering the ship for DC Studios, just dropped a bombshell that'll have your heads spinning. If you've just binged the wild ride that was Peacemaker Season 2, especially that bonkers finale, "Full Nelson," you know it was packed with multiverse madness thanks to the Quantum Unfolding Chamber.

But get this: during a recent press conference, Gunn revealed that one of those interdimensional doors almost led to a cameo nobody would've seen coming. He "wanted them to open the door and see Deadpool in a room." Yes, that Deadpool. Ryan Reynolds' fourth-wall-breaking, wisecracking, regenerating mercenary from the Marvel-verse!

And here's the kicker: Reynolds himself "wanted to do it!" Imagine the chaos! The sheer, unadulterated fan glee of seeing John Cena's Peacemaker potentially come face-to-face with Wade Wilson. The R-rated banter alone would have been legendary.

"Yeah, I wanted them to open the door and see Deadpool in a room. And I talked to Ryan Reynolds about it, but I think we would've had to go through some pretty big hoops to do that! He wanted to do it."

— James Gunn, DC Studios Co-CEO and Peacemaker Showrunner

Why the Epic Marvel/DC Crossover Couldn't Quite Leap Over Those "Big Hoops"

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So, why didn't this glorious, internet-breaking moment actually happen? As much as Gunn and Reynolds were hyped for it, the reality of crossing studio lines is a whole different ballgame. Gunn himself explained it succinctly: "pretty big hoops" would have been involved. We're talking about Warner Bros. Discovery (home of DC) and Disney (home of Marvel) needing to come to an agreement. That's a lot of legal maneuverings, contracts, and probably a mountain of paperwork for what would have been a brief, albeit iconic, appearance.

It's a bittersweet pill for fans, knowing how close we came to witnessing a legitimate Marvel-DC live-action crossover. Such an event would not only confirm the co-existence of these cinematic multiverses but also open up a whole new world of possibilities for future collaborations. The comics have done it plenty of times, with legendary crossovers like the Amalgam Universe and recent events like Deadpool/Batman one-shots. But the big screen (or streaming screen) is a much tougher nut to crack.

Gunn even joked, recognizing the magnitude of his revelation, that "that's all anybody's going to talk about now. Is fg Deadpool in the other room? I should have never said it!" Well, James, you're not wrong, and we're definitely still talking about it!

James Gunn's Vision for Meaningful Crossovers in the Ever-Expanding DC Universe

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While a full-blown Marvel/DC mashup might still be a distant dream, Gunn isn't entirely against the idea of shared universes. He's previously emphasized that any crossover needs to serve a "good artistic reason" and have an "actual narrative purpose," rather than just being a cheap gimmick. It's about "more quality storytelling," not just "Spider-Man and Superman team up" if the story is "st." You gotta respect that commitment to quality!

Interestingly, the DCU has already thrown a few playful nods to its Marvel counterparts. We've heard Dr. Phosphorous referred to as "Ghost Rider" in Creature Commandos, and Vigilante even pulled off the iconic Spider-Man pointing meme in Peacemaker Season 2, Episode 6. These small references show a universe aware of its comic book brethren, even if official crossovers are a bureaucratic nightmare.

Diving Deep into the Twisty Turvy Finale of Peacemaker Season 2

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Beyond the almost-Deadpool cameo, Peacemaker Season 2 delivered a wild and often dark ride. The finale, "Full Nelson," wrapped up a season that delved into a Nazi-laden multiverse story. Our hero, Christopher Smith (John Cena), and his ragtag team — affectionately known as the 11th Street Kids — found themselves traversing various bizarre dimensions through the Quantum Unfolding Chamber.

We saw glimpses of truly strange worlds, from a zombie-infested early America to a candy land populated by ravenous imps. But the biggest shocker came at the very end. After seemingly forming a new agency called Checkmate with his found family (Harcourt, Economos, Adebayo, Judo Master, Sasha Bordeaux, and Langston Fleury), Peacemaker was unceremoniously abducted by Rick Flag Sr. and exiled to "Salvation."

Salvation is an alternate dimension that Flag Sr. intends to use as a metahuman prison, possibly with the help of Lex Luthor, hinting at its connection to the upcoming Superman: Man of Tomorrow movie. Talk about a gut-punch cliffhanger!

What's Next for Peacemaker and the 11th Street Crew in the New DCU?

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With Peacemaker left in such a precarious position, fans are naturally wondering about Season 3. Unfortunately, Gunn has confirmed that a third season of Peacemaker isn't currently in development. However, he's also offered a glimmer of hope, stating, "That doesn't mean there won't be a third season, never say never, but right now, no. This is about the future of the DCU."

So, while a direct continuation of the series might be on hold, it doesn't mean we've seen the last of Christopher Smith. Gunn emphasized that Peacemaker is a "really important" character for the DCU, comparing him to major "diamond properties" like Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman, but as a smaller character he aims to elevate. This means we can expect John Cena's Peacemaker to pop up in other upcoming DCU projects, possibly even in Superman: Man of Tomorrow or the Supergirl movie, to resolve his "Salvation" predicament.

The newly formed "Checkmate" agency also isn't going anywhere. Gunn stated, "You'll definitely see Checkmate carrying through like they're a thing now, so they're a part of what's going to happen, and I think they're going to be really, really good at what they do." It seems Peacemaker's found family will have a significant role to play in the DCU's future, perhaps even picking up the pieces from his cliffhanger ending.

The Wider DCU: Rick Flag Sr.'s Ambitions and the "Waller" Series Update

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The finale also shed more light on Rick Flag Sr., who, as Gunn noted, isn't quite the "good guy" he might have appeared to be in Creature Commandos. Flag Sr. is "totally imperfect," prone to making mistakes, and was even "played by this woman" in the animated series, suggesting his actions in Peacemaker Season 2, including trapping Chris Smith, are part of a larger, flawed agenda.

And what about the highly anticipated "Waller" series starring Viola Davis? Gunn provided an update, describing the development as a "rockier road." While he loves working with Davis and hopes she remains a part of the DCU, the scripts haven't quite clicked yet. "We'll never greenlight something where the scripts aren't working," he reiterated, showing his commitment to quality over rushing projects. Still, fans are eager to see Amanda Waller's story continue, especially after her prominent role in Peacemaker.

The Implications: What This Means for DC and Superhero Storytelling

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The revelation about the almost-Deadpool cameo is more than just a fun tidbit; it highlights the changing landscape of superhero storytelling. With multiversal narratives becoming increasingly common, the lines between comic book universes are blurring, even if the legal hurdles remain formidable. Gunn's openness to the idea, coupled with Reynolds' enthusiasm, speaks volumes about the creative potential that exists when filmmakers are fans first.

While the immediate future for a full Marvel/DC crossover remains uncertain, the fact that such conversations are happening at the highest levels is incredibly exciting. For now, fans can rest assured that even without Deadpool, Peacemaker Season 2 left us with plenty to chew on, setting the stage for John Cena's character to play a vital, if currently trapped, role in the evolving narrative of James Gunn's ambitious DCU. And who knows, maybe one day, those "pretty big hoops" will finally get jumped through.

Frequently Asked Questions About Peacemaker and Potential Crossovers

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Where can I watch Peacemaker Season 2?
Both seasons of Peacemaker, including the recently concluded Season 2, are available to stream on HBO Max (or just Max, depending on your region).
Is Peacemaker Season 3 officially happening?
As of now, James Gunn has stated that Peacemaker Season 3 is not currently planned, as his focus is on the wider DCU. However, he did say "never say never," and confirmed Peacemaker remains an "important" character who will appear in other future DCU projects.
What is the Quantum Unfolding Chamber and why is it important?
The Quantum Unfolding Chamber is a device used in Peacemaker Season 2 that allows access to various alternate dimensions. It was the plot device through which Rick Flag Sr. explored different universes, including the one where Deadpool almost made his cameo, and ultimately the "Salvation" dimension where Peacemaker is trapped.
Will Marvel and DC ever have an official, major crossover event in live-action?
While James Gunn and Ryan Reynolds were open to a Deadpool cameo in Peacemaker, the legal complexities between Disney (Marvel) and Warner Bros. Discovery (DC) made it impossible at the time. Gunn is open to crossovers if they serve a strong narrative purpose, but a large-scale, official crossover remains a significant challenge, despite being common in comic books.