HBO Max is taking a page out of the Disney+ playbook, as the streamer has ordered a series that will explore the origins ofJohn Cena’sSuicide Squadcharacter Peacemaker, and will be written and partially directed byJames Gunn.
Gunn will write all eight episodes ofPeacemakerand direct multiple episodes, including the first. Gunn andThe Suicide SquadproducerPeter Safranwill serve as executive producers of the action-adventure-comedy series, with Cena serving as co-executive producer.
Peacemaker is a master of weapons who believes in peace at any cost — no matter how many people he has to kill to get it. The series will extend the world that Gunn is creating forThe Suicide Squadmovie, which is scheduled to be released in theaters on Aug 11, 2025.
Based on characters from DC,Peacemakerwill be produced by Gunn’s Troll Court Entertainment and The Safran Company in association with Warner Bros. Television.Peacemakeris scheduled to begin production in early 2021, prior to Gunn beginning work on the nextGuardians of the Galaxyfilm.
“Peacemakeris an opportunity to delve into current world issues through the lens of this superhero/supervillain/and world’s biggest douchebag," said Gunn. I’m excited to expandThe Suicide Squadand bring this character from the DC film universe to the full breadth of a series. And of course, to be able to work again with John, Peter, and my friends at Warner Bros. is the icing on the cake.”
“I have said before that it has been a tremendous honor and an incredible opportunity to be part ofThe Suicide Squadand to work with James on what is going to be a fantastic movie. I am unbelievably excited to have the chance to team up with him again forPeacemaker. We can’t wait for fans to see this," added Cena.
“James Gunn has the unique ability to create an expansive universe while also bringing to life the soul and wit of each character. We look forward to a deep dive into the world ofPeacemaker,” said HBO Max’sCasey Bloys.
This is a smart play by Bloys, as Cena is a rising movie star with good comic timing, so getting him to do any TV show, let alone one based on a well-known IP, should pay off. I thoughtThe Suicide Squadfootage shown at DC FanDome looked great, and I suspect that Gunn thinks he has something special on his hands if he’s going to continue playing in that world.
Cena will soon be seen oppositeVin Dieselin the new Fast and Furious sequelF9, which is expected to roar into theaters in April. Meanwhile, Gunn is writing and directingGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3for Marvel, which brought the filmmaker back to finish his trilogy after the first two films earned more than $1.6 billion at the global box office. Safran, for his part, hasThe Conjuring 3on tap for a June release, following by sequels toAquaman,Shazam!andThe Nun.
For a closer look atThe Suicide Squad, including the first footage from the film,click here.
