John Cena On What SUPERMAN's Success Means For PEACEMAKER Season 2

John Cena On What SUPERMAN's Success Means For PEACEMAKER Season 2

John Cena shares his immense respect for James Gunn and details how Superman's critical and box office success affects Peacemaker season 2 and the rest of the DCU.

By MarkJulian - Jul 29, 2025 08:07 AM EST
Filed Under: Peacemaker

Peacemaker lead John Cena recently opened up about his continued partnership with James Gunn and how the positive buzz surrounding Superman could impact the upcoming second season of the hit Max series.

On filming his cameo, Cena said it was a no-brainer as Gunn is someone that he would show up for, no questions asked. "The cameo came about because he asked me, and he could ask me to go to the ends of the Earth and if  I could do it, then I'll do it. He's one of the people on a short list, which I admire and respect and really do as much as I can for them. He's changed my life completely, as I stand here in [the Peacemaker costume]."

And as for what Superman's positive reception means for Peacemaker season 2 and the larger DCU, Cena replied, "I think to have audiences around the world, embrace James' vision of Superman, which is James' vision for the DCU, is exciting for all of us. It shows that people are interested and they know that Superman is more than just a standalone movie. It's an installment in something larger and I think everyone is eager to see the next chapter."

Expect Peacemaker season 2 to retain its offbeat, R-rated edge while becoming more deeply intertwined with the larger DCU framework Gunn is engineering.

"In season 2, Peacemaker discovers an alternate world where life is everything he wishes it could be. But this discovery also forces him to face his traumatic past and take the future into his own hands."

James Gunn wrote all 8 episodes and directed 3, including the premiere.

Peacemaker Season 2 reunites John Cena with key members of the season 1 cast, including Danielle Brooks (Leota Adebayo), Freddie Stroma (Vigilante), Jennifer Holland (Emilia Harcourt), and Steve Agee (John Economos), as the series gears up for a major expansion within the new DC Universe.

This time around, the story will branch out beyond Peacemaker's tight-knit team, with Frank Grillo stepping in as Rick Flag Sr., a character who serves as the connective tissue to Superman, Creature Commandos, and future DCU chapters.

Several additional familiar faces from Superman are also set to appear, including Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, and Sean Gunn reprising his role as the Justice Gang financier Maxwell Lord.

Fans will also be introduced to a brand-new character, Red St. Wild, portrayed by Michael Rooker, a longtime Gunn collaborator.

SUPERMAN Official Concept Art Spotlights María Gabriela De Faría's Engineer Costume Design
Related:

SUPERMAN Official Concept Art Spotlights María Gabriela De Faría's Engineer Costume Design

New Look At PEACEMAKER, Pedro Pascal On Mister Fantastic Leading THE AVENGERS And GRRM Reviews SUPERMAN
Recommended For You:

New Look At PEACEMAKER, Pedro Pascal On Mister Fantastic Leading THE AVENGERS And GRRM Reviews SUPERMAN

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.

This post was submitted by a user who has agreed to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. ComicBookMovie.com will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. Please CONTACT US for expeditious removal of copyrighted/trademarked content. CLICK HERE to learn more about our copyright and trademark policies.

Note that ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

Reginator
Reginator - 7/29/2025, 8:08 AM
Has it made enough money to turn a profit yet?
Bucky74
Bucky74 - 7/29/2025, 9:46 AM
@Reginator - Exactly. How can a film lose millions and still be considered a hit. They either have to make a less divisive film that pulls in a billion (like Deadpool and Wolverine, which was fun) or learn to make these films for less.

It’s hard for a regular Joe to get a film made yet studios have millions to burn it seems. Superman is their flagship hero. If you don’t make close to a billion then you’ve done something wrong with your film and should self reflect on how to do better next time not pat yourself on the back.

That said., Cena’s cameo got the loudest cheer at my IMAX screening

mastakilla39
mastakilla39 - 7/29/2025, 12:27 PM
@Reginator - Not right now but will it?....Depends on who you ask and which formula they use. Supposedly the 2.5x rule covers its massive 150mil marketing cost so you don't add that cost to the budget when using the formula.

So with a 225 mil budget x 2.5 = 563 mil then its pretty close.

But others say that it should be (225mil movie prod budget + 150 mil marketing budget) x 2.5 = 937.5 mil then it won't.

We won't know until investor call for WB comes in because thats when excuses or successes are truly confirmed because the shareholders will decide. But to my knowledge the 2.5x rule was made to cover marketing so 563 mil is supposed to be the break even point and Superman 2025 will hit that mark at the end of its run. Problem is there are reports that reshoots shot the films budget up to 350 mil so don't know anymore....
slickrickdesigns
slickrickdesigns - 7/29/2025, 8:09 AM
If a marvel movie did the same numbers as Superman do you think it’d be considered a successful movie??
AleSir19
AleSir19 - 7/29/2025, 8:18 AM
@slickrickdesigns - Yes, i mean their brand is on The shit right now...

But something people need to understand is that 2011-2019 economic times are gone and they are noh coming back...

I mean is regular....
MarkJulian
MarkJulian - 7/29/2025, 8:24 AM
@slickrickdesigns - You guys act like it's not still playing in theaters. $180M production budget, $100M for marketing means it needs roughly $560M to break even. WB wanted $500M but that's probably the real number. Currently on pace to gross mid-$600M total. A small profit and momentum to build something bigger and greater. Along with the critic reviews, a solid W. I would personally give the film a C to C+ but that's so much better than anything DC has offered previously (other than Man of Steel and The Batman) that's something to feel positive about.
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 7/29/2025, 8:33 AM
@slickrickdesigns - just one thing i know.

If F4 had a higher OW than Superman, mr shill wilding wouldve used a more colorful word than "beaten" in his article 😭😭😭
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 7/29/2025, 8:34 AM
@MarkJulian - imagine if it miraculously gets to 700. the cope will be so funny 😂
MaxPaint
MaxPaint - 7/29/2025, 8:46 AM
@MarkJulian - "You guys act like it's not still playing in theaters. $180M production budget, $100M for marketing means it needs roughly $560M to break even. WB wanted $500M but that's probably the real number"

The production budget is 225 million, and movies need to make 2.5x times its production budget value to cover loses, also the marketing budget for superman was higher than 100 million.

" Currently on pace to gross mid-$600M"

No it's not lol, not with F4 on theaters now.
UltimaRex
UltimaRex - 7/29/2025, 9:05 AM
@slickrickdesigns - ask *Thunderbolts.
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 7/29/2025, 9:20 AM
@MaxPaint - oh watch, f4's weak legs will help Superman get more money
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 7/29/2025, 9:21 AM
@MaxPaint - Even WITH F4 in theatres Superman is still more likely than not to make over 600M, just cos a new release is out doesn't mean folk stop buying tickets and some may double bill the two CBM's.

It is trending almost the same as The Batman and that ended on $772M so even with softer international numbers and a Marvel movie that isn't Morbius released just a couple weeks after any increased dip, if that happens which normaly it doesn't if a two week gap, it wouldn't wipe over $170M from it's remaining sales.

F4 will likely cont to have weaker domestic sales and stronger international ones and end roughly the same as Superman with maybe up 10% lower total, but then it cost 10% less to make than Superman and more than 10% less spent on marketing so... :D

Anyway, to roughly break even at the BO alone Superman needs to make $560M and if that ISN'T enough to cover all costs, digital/physical sales and rentals, streaming and merch will all more than cover any difference and then some. Fantastic Four needs $500M for BO break even and similar applies to other fiscal returns from the film to turn it into a decent enough profit margin.

WAY more important to both however is positive impact on their respective brands/franchises to assist bigger returns for future films if they are also well recieved.
mountainman
mountainman - 7/29/2025, 9:43 AM
@slickrickdesigns - Right now I imagine that Disney would be happy with an MCU movie this year earning over $500 million, let alone the likely $600 million plus this will earn.
Pimpanzee
Pimpanzee - 7/29/2025, 4:06 PM
@MarkJulian - I don't think they're here to feel positive about James Gunn
Fogs
Fogs - 7/29/2025, 8:16 AM
Loved Superman. What a great, full of soul movie that one is.
SATW42
SATW42 - 7/29/2025, 8:54 AM
Some of ya'll are just exhausting lol I get following this stuff and wanting it to be successful so you get more. That's where we're at.

But now some of you are bean counting, TO WHAT END?
WhatIfRickJames
WhatIfRickJames - 7/29/2025, 9:43 AM
@SATW42 - everyone’s a friggin accountant nowadays
BlackStar25
BlackStar25 - 7/29/2025, 11:05 AM
@WhatIfRickJames - Man Oh Man...Ain't that the [frick]ing truth.
IronGenesis
IronGenesis - 7/29/2025, 8:59 AM
We can only hope that the energy created by Summer of Superman rubs off on Peacemaker from a creative & audience viewership perspective.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 7/29/2025, 9:45 AM
Nice comments!!.

Plus I think they were shooting Peacemaker S2 and Superman somewhat simultaneously so it makes sense to have some cameos in one or the other since the actors are already there.

Looking forward to Peacemaker S2 since I thought S1 was solid.

User Comment Image
Forthas
Forthas - 7/29/2025, 11:13 AM
"I think to have audiences around the world, embrace James' vision of Superman..."

Which is exactly what did not happen!
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 7/29/2025, 12:04 PM
Um, Rock? Take note.....
Pimpanzee
Pimpanzee - 7/29/2025, 4:07 PM
Can't wait - such a huge fan!

Please log in to post comments.

Don't have an account?
Please Register.

View Recorder