We have our first look at Peacemaker. The upcoming HBO Max series was announced earlier this year. Produced, written and directed by James Gunn, it takes place in the same universe as The Suicide Squad, which arrives next month. It will see John Cena reprising his character of the same name, who will debut in the film.
The folks at Empire Magazine have shared a new behind-the-scenes photo from the series. It showcases Cena in costume standing alongside Gunn on set. Gunn, known for his work on the Guardians of the Galaxy movies in the MCU, directed five episodes of the show himself.
Meanwhile, The Suicide Squad will be released both in theaters and on HBO Max on August 6. It will be R-rated and serves as a reinvention of the franchise. It isn’t exactly a sequel to 2016’s Suicide Squad, though it does take place in the same universe. Some characters, such as Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn, are returning. But other new characters, such as Cena’s Peacemaker, are on board as well.
Here is the synopsis for The Suicide Squad.
Welcome to hell—a.k.a. Belle Reve, the prison with the highest mortality rate in the US of A. Where the worst Super-Villains are kept and where they will do anything to get out—even join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X. Today’s do-or-die assignment? Assemble a collection of cons, including Bloodsport, Peacemaker, Captain Boomerang, Ratcatcher 2, Savant, King Shark, Blackguard, Javelin and everyone’s favorite psycho, Harley Quinn. Then arm them heavily and drop them (literally) on the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese.
Trekking through a jungle teeming with militant adversaries and guerrilla forces at every turn, the Squad is on a search-and-destroy mission with only Colonel Rick Flag on the ground to make them behave…and Amanda Waller’s government techies in their ears, tracking their every movement. And as always, one wrong move and they’re dead (whether at the hands of their opponents, a teammate, or Waller herself). If anyone’s laying down bets, the smart money is against them—all of them.
Aside from the photo, both Gunn and Cena dished some details about the show, which is currently in production.
“Peacemaker’s a piece of shit,” Gunn said. “He’s not a good guy. And he wears the goofiest costume you’ve ever seen in your life.”
“Peacemaker has a clear set of ideals that I find really interesting,” Gunn adds. “You know: ‘I want peace no matter how many men, women and children I need to kill to get it.’ Sounds like nonsense, but it also makes a lot of sense. And you see in John’s performance how he does not feel good about it – something I thought was the seed of an entire eight-episode show.”
“He represents a part of the world populace that is problematic to say the least,” Gunn also notes. “And puts him in a situation where he has to face the choices he’s made throughout his life and the extremity of his views.”
“This guy is a loud, obnoxious, bro-ey douchebag,” Cena said. “That sucks. But why? At what point did he become such a douchebag and what does that mean? There’s a lot to dive into there.”
Peacemaker arrives on HBO Max in 2022.
What do you think? Are you excited for the show? Are you looking forward to The Suicide Squad? Join in on the conversation over on Facebook or Twitter.
