James Gunn Confirms 3 Most Important Characters For The DCU’s Salvation Story

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Following the finale of *Peacemaker* Season 2, DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn revealed the significance of the newly discovered planet, Salvation, and its key role in the future of the DC Universe. Though the episode didn’t feature any surprise appearances from major DC characters, it set up the story for what comes next. After a thorough search using the Quantum Unfolding Chamber, Emilia Harcourt and Sasha Bordeaux located Salvation – a planet remarkably like Earth, but full of mysteries. Rick Flag Sr. saw this as a chance to propose to the government that Salvation could serve as a secure, inescapable prison for supervillains.

James Gunn has emphasized how crucial the ending of *Peacemaker* Season 2 and the introduction of Salvation are for the future of the DC Universe, explaining that these elements will continue to play a role in projects like *Man of Tomorrow* and beyond. With Salvation established as a metahuman prison, it opens up many possibilities for new stories, and Gunn recently shared which three characters will be most central to those narratives.

In an interview with CBR, James Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios, revealed that the upcoming ‘Salvation’ storyline will heavily feature Rick Flag Sr., Lex Luthor, and Superman.

I’ve been developing the idea for ‘Man of Tomorrow’ for quite a while, and I actually have a clear vision for the next few films I’ll be directing. These projects are all connected as part of a larger, overarching story within the DC Universe. While each film will be enjoyable on its own, they’ll also contribute to a bigger narrative, potentially involving themes of redemption and salvation. This story will feature characters like Rick Flag, Lex Luthor, and Superman. That’s the current plan, although I’m pretty exhausted, so things could change. I’m aiming to direct at least a couple more films to complete this vision.

Season 2 of *Peacemaker*, created and written by James Gunn, picks up where the story left off with John Cena’s character dealing with the consequences of killing Rick Flag Jr. in *The Suicide Squad*. The show features a cast including John Cena, Jennifer Holland, Steve Agee, Freddie Stroma, Frank Grillo, and Danielle Brooks. The season finale aired on HBO Max on October 9, 2025.

The 3 Most Important Characters for DCU’s Salvation Story 

Superman

Superman is central to the DC Universe’s overall story, so it makes sense he’ll be part of the ‘Salvation’ storyline. He’s Lex Luthor’s main target, and it seems Rick Flag Sr. might see him as a threat too. The end of the recent *Superman* story showed Flag worried about metahumans gaining too much power.

After failing to trap Superman in another dimension in the movie *Superman*, it’s likely Lex Luthor’s plan in *Peacemaker* involves a similar, inescapable prison. Although Flag Sr. might not initially support Lex’s scheme, the ending of *Peacemaker* Season 2 suggests Lex is manipulating him, possibly to turn him against Superman as part of a revenge plot against Peacemaker.

Given that Superman previously rescued prisoners from Lex Luthor’s personal dimension in the first DCU film, he’s almost certainly going to fight against ARGUS and Lex’s Salvation plan. This rescue likely sets the stage for his involvement in the larger Salvation storyline.

As a huge Superman fan, I’m really intrigued by what’s being hinted at in *Man of Tomorrow* – a potential team-up between Superman and Lex Luthor! It sounds like something incredibly dangerous is brewing on the Salvation planet, something that might actually *force* these two enemies to work together to protect Earth. It’s a fascinating idea, and I can’t wait to see how it plays out.

Lex Luthor

I was so excited to see Lex Luthor back after his appearance in *Superman*! He made a really clever return in Season 2, Episode 6 of *Peacemaker*, teaming up with Rick Flag Sr. Even though Lex wasn’t actually *in* the season finale, that whole alliance was a huge part of the story, and it looks like it’s going to be really important in *Man of Tomorrow* too. I can’t wait to see where they take that!

In the DC Comics story ‘Salvation Run,’ Lex Luthor leads a group of villains who clash with the Joker’s followers in a battle for control. Luthor tries to convince his allies to find a way back to Earth, but the Joker wants everyone to remain on the planet, believing it’s a secure refuge. It’s eventually revealed that the planet Salvation is actually controlled by the New Gods – specifically DeSaad – and used as a training facility for their Parademon soldiers.

Things are different in the DC Universe, though. Lex Luthor and his team are definitely involved in bringing about Salvation. It looks like Lex’s attempt to draw Superman into Salvation might fail, potentially forcing them to work together to face a bigger, more dangerous enemy.

I’ve always seen Lex Luthor as incredibly smart, and it strikes me that if he actually teamed up with Superman, he could really become a hero. It would totally change how people see him in the DC Universe and give him the upper hand against anyone who stands in his way.

Rick Flag Sr. 

Rick Flag Sr. completes the picture of the Salvation storyline. Initially a hero in *Creature Commandos*, his sorrow over his son’s death in *The Suicide Squad* and his desire for revenge against Peacemaker (Christopher Smith) transformed him into a villain by the end of *Peacemaker* Season 2, potentially making him a key antagonist in *Man of Tomorrow*.

Okay, so the *Peacemaker* finale totally left me scratching my head with Rick Flag Sr.’s behavior. It was super weird how he just brushed off all those ARGUS agents dying after checking out the QUC. His whole attitude, plus teaming up with Lex Luthor, really pushed everyone’s buttons. Honestly, it made total sense why people like Sasha Bordeaux and Langston Fleury jumped ship and joined the 11th Street Kids – they clearly didn’t trust him anymore. It looks like they’re building something new, a fresh take on Checkmate for the DCU, and I’m here for it!

Despite being allied with Lex, Rick Flag Sr. clearly dislikes metahumans. This is why he pushed so hard for the Salvation plan and wanted to use Christopher Smith as a test subject – framing it as a “volunteer” position – to evaluate the planet’s suitability.

Flag Senior’s ongoing dislike of people with superpowers is the main reason he’s approving the Salvation project, but the risks of that planet could ultimately cause his failure.

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2025-10-11 19:36