James Gunn Clarifies DCU Canon in 'Peacemaker' Season 2 and Beyond

Navigating the New DC Universe: What Stays and What Goes?

Gunn's Vision for the DC Universe's Future

With James Gunn now at the helm of the DC cinematic empire, orchestrating a comprehensive overhaul that commences with a fresh interpretation of Superman, the implications for his prior DC ventures, particularly the 'Peacemaker' series, have become a focal point. Fans and critics alike are eager to understand how the existing narrative threads will intertwine with or diverge from this ambitious new direction.

Unpacking the Canon: Insights from the Official Podcast

Gunn directly addresses these pressing inquiries, among many others, on 'Peacemaker: The Official Podcast.' Alongside cast members Jennifer Holland and Steve Agee, and various guest stars, he meticulously dissects each episode, offering a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes anecdotes, including musical selections, stunt choreography, and discarded plot points. A recurring segment specifically focuses on delineating which aspects of 'Peacemaker' Season 1 are preserved as canon within the nascent DCU, and which have been strategically altered.

Reimagining the Justice League and Key Heroes

In a significant narrative adjustment, Gunn initiated Season 2 by retconning the conclusion of Season 1. The original appearance of the Snyderverse Justice League has been supplanted by the Justice Gang, characters he introduced in his 'Superman' iteration. Gunn emphasizes that the Justice League, as a unified entity, has not yet materialized within the DCU. He also elaborated on prominent members like Flash and Wonder Woman, indicating their potential future existence but leaving their current status as active heroes, akin to Superman, Hawkgirl, and Guy Gardner, undetermined. Green Arrow, briefly mentioned in 'Peacemaker' Season 1, falls into this same category of uncertainty.

Aquaman's Shifting Role and Peacemaker's Misconceptions

The character of Aquaman is currently not an established hero in the DCU. Should he ascend to that status, it has been confirmed that Jason Momoa will not reprise the role. Instead, Momoa is slated to portray the intergalactic bounty hunter Lobo in the forthcoming 'Supergirl' film. This clarifies that Peacemaker's earlier, colorful remarks about Aquaman's marine relations are not considered canonical. Similarly, Peacemaker's internet-fueled belief in Superman's alleged fetish is also firmly outside the new DCU's established lore.

The Fate of Clemson Murn and Actor Recasting

Regarding potential recasting decisions, Gunn affirmed that Clemson Murn, the mercenary integral to thwarting an alien invasion in 'Peacemaker' Season 1, remains a canonical figure in the DCU. However, his specific appearance is not. Given Murn's demise in Season 1, this distinction allows actor Chukwudi Iwuji the flexibility to embody a different character within the broader DCU, offering new creative avenues for the performer.

Kite-Man's Canonical Status and Animated Series Connections

Given Peacemaker's extensive track record of eliminating foes, fans questioned whether his claim of "taking down" Kite-Man implied the D-list villain's demise. Gunn clarified that Kite-Man is merely incarcerated and remains a viable character for future appearances in the DCU. It is worth noting that Kite-Man already leads his own animated series, 'Kite-Man: Hell Yeah!', which exists within the distinct animated canon of 'Harley Quinn'.

Exploring the Imp Dimension and Everyday Realities

Gunn asserts that all events within 'Peacemaker' Season 2 are to be considered canonical. He also provided further details on the dimension of imps, the alternate-universe realm visited by Chris in his youth. The creatures Chris's father, Auggie, derisively calls "munchkins," are linked to powerful DC Comics characters such as Bat-Mite, Batman's most devoted fan, and the mischievous Superman adversary, Mister Mxyzptlk. It is presumed that the "interdimensional imp"—the luminous, hovering jellyfish-like entity encountered by the Justice Gang in 'Superman'—also originates from this same dimension.

Beyond Heroes: The Canonical Existence of Pop Culture

Gunn's directives extend beyond the realm of superheroes and villains, reaching into the fabric of the DCU's perceived reality. He explicitly declared that Bob Clark's 1981 comedy 'Porky's' is canonical within the DCU, yet its 1983 sequel, 'Porky's II: The Next Day,' is not, due to Gunn's assessment of its inferior quality. The existence of Cheetos is also affirmed, a fact further underscored by Judomaster's persistent snacking on them throughout 'Peacemaker' Season 2, grounding the fantastical world in relatable details.