Will Peacemaker Get a Third Season? Breaking Down What's Coming Next for John Cena's DC Anti-Hero and His Wild Crew

Alright, DC fans, the second season of Peacemaker has wrapped up, and if you're anything like me, you're probably still processing all the craziness. John Cena's Chris Smith has been through a lot. He journeyed between dimensions, faced off with some truly bizarre threats, and ended up in a rather tough spot. The big question on everyone's mind now is: what about Peacemaker Season 3? Will our favorite peace-loving, helmet-wearing anti-hero be back for more adventures?

It's not a simple yes or no from James Gunn, the mastermind behind the series and co-CEO of DC Studios. He has offered some hints and clues. We're going to talk about everything we know about Peacemaker's future, Chris Smith's current predicament, and where his loyal crew might pop up next in the ever-growing DC Universe.

The Current Status of Peacemaker's Third Season: What HBO Max Has Said

Let's get the official word out of the way first. As of now, HBO Max has not made an announcement about a third season for Peacemaker. A representative for the streaming platform told USA TODAY on October 7 that they had no information to share at that moment. This means we're all still waiting to hear if the series will be renewed or canceled. But don't let that get you down too much. There's more to this story than a simple renewal notice.

If we look at the gap between seasons, fans had a significant wait. Season 1 dropped on January 13, 2022, and Season 2 arrived over two years later on August 21, 2024. If a third season were to happen, we might be looking at another long wait. This long break between seasons shows that good things sometimes take time. So, while no immediate news is available, hope is certainly not lost.

Chris Smith's Grim Season Two Finale and the Quantum Unfolding Chamber's Fate

Season 2 left Chris Smith in a truly bad situation. After spending most of the season hopping between two worlds, he chose to live in an alternate dimension. However, by the finale, he found himself behind bars. His Quantum Unfolding Chamber, the device that gave him access to that other dimension, is now in the hands of the Advanced Research Group of the United States (ARGUS). They are already putting the device to use. Smith also feels deep guilt for all the deaths around him, even calling himself the "angel of expletive death" in the final episode's teaser.

The finale's story says that Rick Flag Sr. tasks his team with searching the Quantum Unfolding Chamber for another dimension where he can carry out his plan. This leaves us wondering if Smith's imprisonment is for good, and which other characters might not make it out of Season 2 alive. The fate of Chris Smith and his team hangs in the balance as the second season concludes, with many questions left unanswered for anxious viewers.

James Gunn's Interesting Comments on the Future of Peacemaker's Characters

Here's where things get really interesting for fans. James Gunn has been quite open, though also a bit cryptic, about what's next for Chris Smith and his team. He confirmed that the story for the "11th Street Kids"—Peacemaker's crew—is not over. However, it might not be in the form of a traditional Peacemaker 3.

In a discussion with Deadline, Gunn stated, "You’re gonna find out more in episode 8 because it’s not necessarily that. Some of these characters will continue, but also, it’s not exactly Peacemaker 3. I’m not ruling it out. You’ll see (episode) 8 and maybe you’ll find out a little bit more." This statement gives us a mix of hope and mystery. It sounds like we will see our favorite characters again, even if their next appearance is not a direct third season of their own show.

Gunn's vision for the larger DC Universe means these characters have a place in it, and that is a great thing for fans. He is clearly planning on bringing them back, which means their adventures will go on. We just need to figure out where and when.

The Waller Series and Team Peacemaker's Likely Involvement

One major clue about the future of Peacemaker's supporting cast lies with the upcoming Waller series. When James Gunn and Peter Safran started their work on the DC Universe, they announced Waller as part of their "Chapter One: Gods and Monsters" era. Viola Davis will return to her role as Amanda Waller, the ruthless ARGUS director. While production has been slow, Gunn recently confirmed that the series is still happening.

For those who remember Season 1 of Peacemaker, Waller had a cameo in the finale. It was revealed that Leota Adebayo is her daughter. Adebayo went public with information that had significant effects on Waller's career. Naturally, Waller is likely plotting her revenge against the 11th Street Kids.

Given that Peacemaker, Emilia Harcourt, John Economos, and Adebayo all have strong connections to Waller, it makes perfect sense that they would be involved in her series. Gunn himself confirmed that Team Peacemaker would be part of the project. So, whether Peacemaker Season 3 arrives or not, we can expect to see these familiar faces again in the DC Universe soon.

Peacemaker Season Two's Cast and Who Might Return for Future Stories

Season 2 featured a great cast, many of whom could return for future DC Universe projects, including the Waller series. While the finale's impact on character survival is still a big unknown for some, here are the main players from Peacemaker Season 2:

• John Cena as Chris Smith / Peacemaker
• Danielle Brooks as Leota Adebayo
• Jennifer Holland as Emilia Harcourt
• Steve Agee as John Economos
• Freddie Stroma as Vigilante / Adrian Chase
• Robert Patrick as White Dragon / Auggie Smith (though his Earth-2 version met a similar end)
• Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Jr. / Sr.
• David Denman as Keith Smith
• Sol Rodriguez as Bordeaux
• Tim Meadows as Langston Fleury

The story's ending will show us who truly makes it out to appear in future DC stories. But it is exciting to think about these characters continuing their journeys, no matter the format.

Gunn's Larger Plan: How Peacemaker Builds the New DC Universe

James Gunn has stated that Peacemaker Season 2 is a building block for the new DC Universe of movies and television shows. We have already seen this take shape in Season 2. The first episode featured cameos from Green Lantern member Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), and Maxwell Lord (Sean Gunn), all from the upcoming Superman movie. Rick Flag Sr., played by Frank Grillo, became a pivotal character in Peacemaker Season 2, connecting to the larger world.

Remember Chris's journey to Earth-2, where he met different versions of his family? He initially thought he found a better life, with his father Auggie and brother Keith alive and well. However, this happy facade crumbled in Episode 6, revealing Earth-2 was under Nazi rule. This major twist not only gave us a darker version of events but also allowed James Gunn to clear up a fan theory.

Many wondered if the Auggie Smith Chris killed at the end of Season 1 was a clone, and the "real" Auggie was living in the other-verse. Gunn gave a clear "No" to this speculation. The Earth-2 Auggie was kinder to his children, but he too faced a tragic end in Episode 7, killed by Vigilante while trying to save his new allies. So, the original Auggie is indeed gone, and the alternate version is also no longer around.

Gunn also had plans to bring back Chukwudi Iwuji's Clemson Murn (the character possessed by the alien butterfly Ik Nobe Llok) in Earth-2. This version of Murn would have been an "action hero" fighting fascism, a "kick-ass Harriet Tubman." While this plotline was cut from Season 2, Gunn said the idea "still exists" and that "we didn’t blow up Earth-2." This suggests future possibilities for that alternate world and characters like Murn, showing that even cut ideas can return.

With other DC projects on the horizon, such as Supergirl (June 2026), Clayface (September 2026), the Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow (July 9, 2027), and the Lanterns series (HBO Max, 2026), there will be many places for characters from Peacemaker to pop up. The DC Universe is expanding, and our beloved anti-hero and his friends are certainly a part of it.

How to Watch Peacemaker Seasons One and Two on HBO Max

While we wait for more news on Season 3 or other appearances, you can catch up on all the action. Both Season 1 and Season 2 of Peacemaker are available to stream on HBO Max. It is a great way to revisit Chris Smith's hilarious and often violent quest for peace, and to re-acquaint yourself with the memorable characters who join him on his journey.

The positive reception and viewership for Season 2—which saw a 22% spike in audience numbers and a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes—definitely make a strong case for more Peacemaker. Even if it is not a direct third season, fans can rest easy knowing that James Gunn has plans for Chris Smith and his fellow misfits. Their story is far from over, and that is certainly something to be excited about in the DC Universe.