James Gunn will have a smaller role in Peacemaker Season 2, but fans of the HBO Max hit shouldn’t be alarmed.
Gunn, who created Peacemaker and directed much of Season 1, remains the showrunner and has written all eight episodes of the upcoming season. However, due to his busy schedule as co-CEO of DC Studios, he will direct only three episodes this time—the premiere, Episode 6, and the finale.
In comparison, Gunn directed five episodes in the first season, which debuted in 2022 to critical acclaim. His reduced involvement comes as he focuses on the upcoming Superman film and other DC Universe (DCU) projects, including Creature Commandos.
Gunn confirmed that production for Peacemaker Season 2 overlapped with his work on Superman. He said he only had time to direct on weekends and that three new directors—Greg Mottola, Peter Sollett, and Althea Jones—have joined the series to handle the other five episodes.
Despite stepping back, Gunn remains deeply involved. He serves as executive producer alongside Peter Safran and John Cena, who reprises his role as the foul-mouthed anti-hero Christopher Smith.
The upcoming season also promises surprises. A trailer confirms that the Justice Gang, featured in Gunn’s Superman, will appear in Peacemaker, possibly in a cameo during the premiere.
Fans worried about quality can take comfort in knowing that Gunn’s scripts still shape the entire season, and the new directors bring strong experience from projects like Superbad and Your Honor. In fact, some of the highest-rated episodes from Season 1 were not directed by Gunn.
As the DCU expands, Peacemaker Season 2 marks the end of Gunn’s hands-on phase. Future titles like Lanterns, Superman: Woman of Tomorrow, and Clayface will be led by other creative teams under his guidance.
