Peacemaker’s Disappointing Ending Has Me Worried About the DCU’s Future (Again)

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For nearly ten years, Warner Bros. struggled to create a successful DC cinematic universe, making a series of poor choices that led to disappointing movies and a disjointed franchise. Constant interference from executives and frequent changes in direction were to blame. However, things began to look up when James Gunn and Peter Safran took charge of the newly formed DC Studios, with the goal of building a unified universe from scratch. Their first projects generated excitement, starting with *Creature Commandos*, which critics loved as a promising introduction to the DCU’s world of gods and monsters. This was followed by *Superman*, a huge critical and commercial success that many consider to be one of the best versions of the iconic hero.

The second season of *Peacemaker* started strong, marking another win for James Gunn and the new DC Universe with a heartfelt story about finding oneself. This early success led many to believe a consistently good DC Universe was finally within reach. Unfortunately, the season’s disappointing ending undid that progress, leaving fans uncertain about the future of the DCU once again.

Why Is the Season 2 Finale of Peacemaker So Problematic for the DCU?

The new DC Universe (DCU) was built on a promise to be different from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). DCU co-head James Gunn clearly stated they wouldn’t start making anything until the script was perfect, prioritizing strong storytelling for each film and series. This was a direct response to audience burnout caused by the MCU’s constant focus on building a larger franchise, sometimes at the expense of good stories. However, the season finale of *Peacemaker* went against this core principle. Instead of finishing the season’s story, the episode abruptly shifted focus to promote future projects, essentially turning into a long trailer for *Man of Tomorrow*. This approach mirrors the criticism leveled at Marvel, making the DCU’s first big cliffhanger feel like a step backward.

The end of *Peacemaker* Season 2 highlighted how incredibly stretched James Gunn is. In just over two years, he’s written every episode of *Creature Commandos* and *Peacemaker* Season 2, *and* written and directed the *Superman* movie—all while also serving as co-CEO of DC Studios. That DC role alone requires long-term planning for the entire franchise, overseeing all projects, and reviewing scripts. This is an unsustainable amount of work, and with Gunn already committed to writing and directing the *Man of Tomorrow* sequel, his workload doesn’t seem to be easing up anytime soon.

Looking back, the disappointing ending to *Peacemaker* Season 2 was probably unavoidable. When one person has so much creative control and responsibility, it’s hard to ensure everything maintains a consistently high quality. It’s difficult to step back and judge a project fairly when you’re also planning how it fits into a larger series of interconnected stories. This episode’s shortcomings should serve as a clear warning that relying on a single person to handle the work of an entire studio is already negatively impacting the overall quality of the DC Universe.

The Success of the DCU Will Be Cemented in 2026

I have to admit, while the first year of the DCU showed a lot of promise, I’m still holding my breath about its future. Everything really hinges on 2026. That’s when we’ll *finally* see projects from creators beyond James Gunn and Peter Safran, and it’ll prove whether the incredible quality they’ve set can actually last. I’m especially excited – and a little anxious – about *Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow*, coming out June 26th. From what I’ve heard, Craig Gillespie and Ana Nogueira are doing a fantastic job adapting the comic, which is known for being a really deep and complex story. It’s a big risk, following up Gunn’s *Superman*, but if *Supergirl* can capture that same blend of hope and realism, and still feel unique, it’ll show that the DCU is truly something special and can continue to thrive with different voices at the helm.

Beyond the main DCU releases, several projects planned for 2026 will be crucial in showing whether the new creative direction will work. The film *Clayface* is a big risk, aiming to prove that a strong story can make even a lesser-known villain into a popular movie star. Also expanding the DCU is the HBO series *Lanterns*, a mystery show in the style of *True Detective*. It’s being led by a talented team including showrunner Chris Mundy (*Ozark*) and writer Damon Lindelof (*Watchmen*). Both *Clayface* and *Lanterns* will show how well the DCU can handle different tones and more serious stories, moving away from James Gunn’s usual comedic style. How audiences react to these varied projects will ultimately determine the overall success of the DCU.

Wow, that *Peacemaker* Season 2 finale really left me wondering what’s next for the DCU, honestly! It’s got me thinking a lot, and I’d love to hear what everyone else thought. Let’s chat about it over on the ComicBook Forum – come join the discussion!

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2025-10-19 14:40