The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker DCU Canon Explained by James Gunn

The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker are still (mostly) canon in the new DCU despite the other DCEU projects being axed from continuity. Now, James Gunn has offered a reasonable explanation for why some of The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker elements are canon but others aren’t.

When Gunn announced his initial slate of DCU projects for Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, it was clear that characters from the DCEU’s The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker would join the rebooted franchise despite others like Henry Cavill’s Superman and Ben Affleck’s Batman being replaced. However, confusion set in when Gunn made statements like one claiming Peacemaker season 1 wasn’t DCU canon. Gunn has since explained that DCEU events will be canon if mentioned in DCU projects and also clarified that Peacemaker season 1 is mostly canon except for the Justice League cameo.

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During an interview with Collider to promote the first DCU project, Creature Commandos, Gunn once again explained that Peacemaker season 1 is mostly DCU aside from the Justice League cameo, but The Suicide Squad is looser. Gunn used the example of Rick Flag being killed by Peacemaker, noting that it is canon because it was mentioned in Creature Commandos and not because it happened in The Suicide Squad. So why are some events in The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker canon but others aren’t? Gunn has an explanation for that as well, saying that he considers The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker “unreliable memories” of what happened in the DCU:

So, Gunn will seemingly pick and choose what DCEU events are canon based on the DCU’s storyline needs. However, he seemingly doesn’t want to adhere to all DCEU events. Of course, Gunn isn’t only bringing characters and events from his DCEU projects to the DCU. Xolo Maridueña’s Blue Beetle will join the DCU for an animated series, making him one of the few (if not only) non-Gunn DCEU characters to migrate to the rebooted DC franchise.

Of course, some fans are upset over Gunn’s decision to reboot the DCEU. Not everyone was a fan of the DCEU, but even some of its critics wanted actors like Cavill to get another chance at playing Superman. There are also characters that most fans are fond of, such as Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman. Still, Gunn may not want to be bound by what other directors and writers started, which is understandable.

Fans will better understand what to expect from Gunn’s DCU when Creature Commandos premieres in December and the Superman trailer (reportedly) releases in the same month. Time will tell if Gunn’s strategy will work.

Peacemaker season 2 is scheduled to be released on Max in August 2025.

John Cena stars as James Gunn’s titular Peacemaker, a former member of the Suicide Squad who will go to any lengths to ensure peace. Amanda Waller has once again enlisted him to confront an alien threat. To accomplish his mission, he must collaborate with his team members. Along the way, Peacemaker faces demons from his past and confronts his identity.

Release Date

January 13, 2022

Cast

John Cena , Jennifer Holland , Chukwudi Iwuji , Danielle Brooks , Freddie Stroma , Robert Patrick

Seasons

1

Franchise

DCEU, DCU

Based On

DC Comics

Creator

James Gunn

Number of Episodes

8

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Source: Collider