James Gunn Unpacks Peacemaker Season 2 Fan Backlash & Earth-X Controversy

While critics adored Peacemaker Season 2, some fans weren't so thrilled, especially about its controversial Earth-X storyline. But James Gunn, being James Gunn, isn't shying away from the discussion.

TL;DR

Peacemaker Season 2 got amazing critic reviews (95% RT) but split the audience, with its Rotten Tomatoes audience score dropping to 78% after the finale.
Showrunner James Gunn acknowledged the fan criticism, especially regarding the finale and the Earth-X twist, stating, "not everyone can love everything," but he stands by his creative choices.
Though a third season isn't planned, John Cena's Peacemaker will continue to appear in other DCU projects, tying into upcoming films like Superman and Supergirl.

Peacemaker Season 2's Big Split: Critics Loved It, Fans Had Notes

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When Peacemaker burst onto the scene in 2022, it was an instant hit. Fans and critics alike couldn't get enough of John Cena's hilariously unhinged anti-hero, backed by James Gunn's signature blend of heart, humor, and brutal violence. The first season earned a stellar 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, setting a pretty high bar for what was to come.

Fast forward to its second season, which premiered on Max (formerly HBO Max) in 2025, and things got a little… complicated. While critics were still on board, giving Season 2 an even higher 95% RT score, the audience reaction was decidedly mixed. After the finale dropped, the audience score dipped nine points to 78%, showing a clear divergence in opinion.

James Gunn Addresses the Fan Fallout

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So, what exactly happened? A fan on Threads asked James Gunn directly if he was aware of the criticism, particularly about the finale. True to form, Gunn didn't dodge the question. He admitted he was aware but added a very Gunn-esque take: "not everyone can love everything." He totally loved the finale himself, but he also acknowledged that it's "completely fair" for others to feel differently.

The feedback wasn't all negative, though. Some fans even replied to Gunn's Threads post, thanking him for being open and addressing the elephant in the room. It just goes to show that even when opinions clash, transparency goes a long way.

Why the Sophomore Season Stumbled for Some Viewers

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The criticism from fans often centered on a few key points that differed from the universally praised first season. Many felt there was a significant shift in tone, leaning into heavier, darker themes. The increased use of montages also drew some flak. But perhaps the biggest bone of contention was the finale itself.

Some viewers felt that instead of delivering a satisfying conclusion to Peacemaker's story, the finale spent too much time setting up future DC Universe projects. While tying into the larger DCU is exciting for the long game, it left some feeling shortchanged on Peacemaker's immediate narrative arc.

The Earth-X Twist and Gunn's Unapologetic Stance on Nazis

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One of the most talked-about (and controversial) elements of Season 2 was the big Earth-X twist. Peacemaker, Christopher Smith, found himself in an alternate reality – one where Nazis had won World War II and America was a white-supremacist dictatorship. Early on, Chris was so caught up in the idea of a "perfect" world where his family was alive and he had a loving relationship that he missed all the glaring red flags.

It wasn't until Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) arrived in Episode 6, which Gunn referred to as Earth-2, that the horrifying truth truly hit home. She immediately noticed the lack of non-white people and literal murals of Adolf Hitler. As the season progressed, Episode 7 confirmed that anyone who wasn't white was locked away in camps – a grim vision indeed.

Unsurprisingly, this depiction sparked outrage among some viewers. But James Gunn, never one to back down, had a very clear message for those upset about Nazis being portrayed negatively.

“I have a few racists that have called me polarizing, but I’m okay with being polarizing and letting racists fall to the wayside.”

— James Gunn

In a direct interview, Gunn confirmed his stance, adding that "People have loved this episode the most, so it's exciting." He also explained that he received "internal pushback" on this particular episode but refused to "pull punches," choosing instead to tell the story he wanted to tell.

Understanding Peacemaker's Blind Spot: His Upbringing

A crucial part of the Earth-X storyline was Peacemaker's own initial ignorance of the Nazi regime. How could he miss such obvious signs? Gunn broke it down on the official Peacemaker podcast, explaining that while Chris isn't a racist himself, his upbringing by his white supremacist father, Auggie Smith (the original White Dragon), gave him a subconscious "rose-colored glasses" view of the world. This made him insensitive to the lack of people of color around him.

Danielle Brooks, who plays Leota Adebayo, chimed in, noting that many people often don't understand different walks of life. This deeper dive into Chris's psyche highlights Gunn's commitment to exploring complex characters and societal issues within his superhero stories.

The "Evilest Villain" Debate: White Dragon Takes the Crown

Beyond the Earth-X controversy, James Gunn also weighed in on his "evilest villain" across both his Marvel and DC projects. And the winner? None other than Peacemaker's own father, Auggie Smith, the White Dragon from Season 1. Gunn famously called him the "biggest piece of sht [he's] ever written."

This is a big statement considering Gunn has introduced other notorious villains like the High Evolutionary (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3) and Lex Luthor (in the upcoming Superman film). But Auggie's real-world rooted hatred, racism, abuse of his son, and leadership of the Aryan Empire made him stand out as uniquely vile. Even the Earth-X version of Auggie, who claimed to be doing his best in a bad world, was described by Gunn as just another "cog in a corrupt system," rather than a hero.

Gunn's Notable Villains Across Marvel & DC

Marvel: Ronan the Accuser, Nebula, The Collector, Ego, The Sovereign, The High Evolutionary, Adam Warlock
DC: Starro, Amanda Waller, White Dragon (S1), The Butterflies, Illana Rostovic (Creature Commandos), Lex Luthor, Ultraman, The Engineer (Superman), Rick Flag Sr. (S2), Red St. Wild (S2), Captain Triumph (S2)

What's Next for John Cena's Peacemaker in the DCU?

While Peacemaker Season 2 has wrapped up, fans might be sad to hear there are currently no plans for a third season. However, all hope is not lost for our favorite helmet-wearing anti-hero!

John Cena's Peacemaker character is confirmed to live on in other DC projects. Season 2 already included direct ties to Gunn's Superman film, which was released in July and is now available to stream on Max. This setup means we could potentially see Cena pop up in 2026's Supergirl or the Superman sequel, Man of Tomorrow, slated for 2027. Gunn is staying super tight-lipped about specifics, but the character's journey is far from over.

Even if the show Peacemaker concludes, James Gunn is clearly committed to expanding the DC Universe, one movie and TV show at a time, ensuring that both his creative vision and fan engagement remain at the forefront.

Frequently Asked Questions About Peacemaker Season 2 When did Peacemaker Season 2 premiere and end? Peacemaker Season 2 premiered on Max (formerly HBO Max) in 2025, with its finale streaming on October 9, 2025, at 9 p.m. ET. Where can I stream Peacemaker Season 2? Both seasons of Peacemaker are available to stream exclusively on Max (formerly HBO Max). Is there going to be a Peacemaker Season 3? As of now, there are no confirmed plans for a third season of Peacemaker. However, John Cena's character will continue to appear in other upcoming DCU projects. How does Peacemaker Season 2 tie into the wider DC Universe? Season 2 has direct connections to James Gunn's Superman film (released July 2025) and lays groundwork for future DCU films like 2026's Supergirl and 2027's Superman sequel, Man of Tomorrow. Sources