Four Years Later, James Gunn Just Changed How You’ll Watch a Major DC Movie

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As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that I’ve stepped into a new role as co-head of DC Studios, following the triumphant critical reception of “The Suicide Squad” and the debut season of “Peacemaker.” With this exciting opportunity comes the challenge of building a fresh cinematic universe from scratch. My partner Peter Safran and I, however, felt that discarding all the great work done for DC prior to our tenure would be a missed opportunity.

So, in our initial DC Universe projects, like “Creature Commandos,” we’ve chosen to nod back to key moments from my previous works, such as “The Suicide Squad”s Project Starfish and the demise of Rick Flag Jr., portrayed by Joel Kinnaman. This approach allows us to repurpose elements that resonated with fans for our new universe, even though those earlier projects may no longer be considered part of the DCU’s overall canon.

Warning: Spoilers below for Peacemaker Season 2, Episode 3

In a creative twist, Season 2 of “Peacemaker” revisits crucial moments from the first season in a witty “flashback” section, implying that most of Season 1 aligns with the DCU timeline, while minor inconsistencies can be disregarded. Moreover, as the narrative progresses in Season 2, Gunn consistently employs this approach to reinterpret scenes from “The Suicide Squad,” significantly altering our viewing experience of that film.

Emilia Harcourt and Rick Flag’s Affair Recontextualizes The Suicide Squad

In the initial segment of Peacemaker Season 2, Episode 3, we encounter Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) preparing herself after spending the night with Rick Flag Jr. This event occurs three years prior to the primary storyline of Season 2. The scene subtly hints at Rick Flag’s ongoing relationship with Dr. June Moone, who is also known as the Enchantress, a villain from the 2016 Suicide Squad movie. It transpires that Emilia and Rick have been clandestinely meeting, yet Emilia urges Rick to be truthful with his girlfriend and end the relationship promptly. However, Rick seems reluctant due to June’s ability to summon the Enchantress, which Emilia views as an excuse. Their conversation further suggests that Rick harbors feelings for Emilia, despite her reservations about deepening their bond beyond a platonic friendship.

During a conversation about work, Emilia warned Rick that he needed to prepare because he was soon departing for Corto Maltese, marking the beginning of what would be his final mission. This meant that Emilia and Rick shared a night together just before this deployment. Later, while observing Task Force X from ARGUS’ command center, Emilia witnessed the heartbreaking death of her lover during “The Suicide Squad.” She saw Peacemaker (played by John Cena) end the life of Rick Flag Jr., an act aimed at protecting classified U.S. intelligence information. This event may have contributed to Emilia’s hesitation to collaborate with Christopher in the first season of “Peacemaker.” Even during Season 2, Emilia continues to distance herself from Chris, despite his open expressions of affection for her.

As a cinephile, I must say that one particular scene in “The Suicide Squad” has a profound impact on Harcourt’s character. Prior to this revelation, her portrayal was that of a highly skilled, yet somewhat distant ARGUS operative, keeping tabs on the mission from afar. However, with the knowledge of her affair with Flag, it’s clear now that her stoic demeanor throughout the film is a testament to her emotional resilience.

Behind the scenes, she’s watching the man she loves lead a disposable team into what feels like an inevitable doom. Each static-filled communication and chaotic battlefield update sends a wave of personal anxiety rippling through her. Emilia’s knack for playing tough while hiding her emotional vulnerability shines here, adding layers to her character in “The Suicide Squad”. Her affair with Flag gives her character depth, helping us understand why she chose to join the rebellion against Amanda Waller (Viola Davis), even if only temporarily.

Season 2 of Peacemaker Also Changes Emilia and Chris’ Relationship

The disclosure further intensifies the emotional backbone of Peacemaker’s first season, as Harcourt’s initial antagonism towards Christopher Smith was initially portrayed as professional anger. Given the circumstances, it’s understandable: she was compelled to collaborate with a man who cold-bloodedly assassinated a respected commander to conceal a government conspiracy. However, the affair added a deeply personal element to her disdain. Her assignment to Project Butterfly could be seen as a harsh penalty by Waller, likely aware of the affair and intentionally placing Emilia in close proximity to her lover’s killer.

This significantly alters how we perceive Emilia’s journey throughout Season 1 of “Peacemaker.” From her initial disdain for Chris to her slow development of admiration for his ability to transform, everything is redefined. The ambiguity surrounding her response to Chris’s romantic advances becomes more understandable. Her choice to believe in him involves coming to terms with deep personal sorrow and discovering the human qualities within the one who caused it, a hurdle she has yet to conquer.

New episodes of Peacemaker premiere on HBO Max on Thursdays.

How do you feel about the Season 2 revelation concerning Emilia Harcourt and Rick Flag Jr.’s romantic involvement, as depicted in Peacemaker? Engage in the conversation by sharing your thoughts below!

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2025-09-06 16:10