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Here’s how it works. Peacemaker's season 2 premiere answers a major question on everyone's minds (Image credit: Jessica Miglio/HBO Max) Peacemaker season 2 makes a big change to its predecessor's finale Fans have long wondered how it would handle a key scene from season 1 episode 8 Everything else from last season is deemed canon in the DCU Ever since Peacemaker season 2 was first announced, one big question has plagued fans of the hit HBO Max show: what aspects of its forebear's story will be treated as canon in the nascent DC Universe (DCU)? It's a query that James Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios, and Peacemaker's head writer and occasional director, hasn't answered as clearly as many fans had hoped. Now, though, this season's premiere has – and it's solved a big mystery about how Gunn would handle a cameo-filled scene from last season's finale, too. Full spoilers immediately follow for Peacemaker season 2 episode 1, titled 'The Ties That Grind'. Turn back now if you haven't seen it yet. You may like New trailer for Peacemaker season 2 tries to answer our biggest question about the HBO Max show, but now I'm more confused about its place in the DCU Superman's most surprising cameo has got me asking 3 big questions about James Gunn's next DCU project HBO Max reveals final trailer for Peacemaker season 2 – and it might have spoiled one of the popular show's biggest surprises Season 2's 'Previously On...' segment confirms the events of last season are all canon in the DCU (Image credit: HBO Max) The short answer is: all of season 1 is canon in the DCU. Well, everything except that cameo-stuffed scene, which I'll get to later. 'The Ties That Grind' opens with John Cena's eponymous anti-hero – real name Chris Smith – answering questions from a class full of kids. It's a funny and unexpected way to open this season of the DCU Chapter One project, especially when you consider the dichotomy between the the foul-mouthed, substance-abusing titular character and his innocent inquirers. Anyway, when Smith is asked if he has an origin story, we're treated to a 'Previously On...' montage from one of the best HBO Max shows' debut season. That includes clips of his traumatic childhood, joining 'Project Butterfly', killing his xenophobic and toxic father, and saving the world from an alien invasion. Cena even provides a voice-over saying "previously on the DCU", which basically confirms season 1 took place in the DCU instead of its now-defunct forebear, aka the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). It's the end of this footage-based collage that addresses the multi-cameo scene I've been alluding to. That being, the DCEU's Justice League appearing after Smith and the 11th Street Kids defeat the extraterrestrial Butterflies to stop them taking over planet Earth. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. A different supergroup shows up in season 2 episode 1 (Image credit: HBO Max) As the 11th Street Kids triumphantly walked away from a job well done in last season's finale, they were greeted by the Justice League. Admittedly, Jason Momoa's Aquaman and Ezra Miller's The Flash are the only actors who actually appear on the screen, but silhouettes of their fellow heroes – Henry Cavill's Superman, Ben Affleck's Batman, Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman, and Ray Fisher's Cyborg – are shown. Peacemaker 2 retcons this Justice League cameo. Indeed, the 'previously on...' segment reveals that sextuplet have been replaced the Justice Gang – i.e. Edi Gathegi's Mister Terrific (who only appears in silhouette form), Isabela Merced's Hawkgirl, and Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner/Green Lantern. The trio are also joined by outlines of David Corenswet's Superman and Milly Alcock's Supergirl, even though the Kryptonian pair aren't part of the Justice Gang. But I digress. Lambasting their belated appearance, Smith greets them in the same way he did the Justice League last season, saying "you're late, you f*****g d*******s!". Then, in a very brief scene designed to replace Aquaman and The Flash's short and semi-amusing exchange from season 1, Hawkgirl and Gardner have a similarly fleeting chat. Hawkgirl and Guy Gardner appear again later on in season 2 episode 1 (Image credit: HBO Max) So, problem solved, right? As long as you don't go back and re-watch season 1 episode 8, aka 'It's Cow or Never'. Speaking as part of a roundtable interview attended by TechRadar, Gunn admitted that the retooled Justice Gang scene from this season's premiere won't replace the Justice League one in the season 1 finale. "I wish I could do that," Gunn replied when asked if he'd swap out the Justice League scene for the updated Justice Gang one. "But, I can't, because it's too expensive. I think we'd rather spend the money on a few more visual effects shots for Supergirl. "The other thing is normal people don't give a s**t about all this canon stuff as intimately [as diehard fans do]," he continued. "They're just like 'Oh cool, Peacemaker is in Superman' or 'Oh, it's Alien and Predator together'. It doesn't matter if it's not completely consistent with the past, so I though the simple way was really the best, which is just saying 'Yeah, this world is a little different'. We know there are other universes, and this is one where everything is exactly the same as what happened in season one, except for the Justice League's appearance." Peacemaker season 2 episode is out now. Read my Peacemaker season 2 release schedule to find out when new entries will arrive, or check out my Peacemaker season 2 review for some clues about what's to come in episodes 2 through 5. You might also like Here's everything you need to know about Peacemaker season 2 before watching it Peacemaker season 2 star Sol Rodríguez teases which DCU project she wants her character to appear in next: 'I would love that' Peacemaker season 2 cast tease what's next for the 11th Street Kids in the hit HBO Max show: 'it's something new' Today's best Max deals Max Monthly With Ads at Max - United States Max Monthly Ad-Free at Max - United States Max Monthly Ultimate Ad-Free at Max - United States Social Links Navigation Senior Entertainment Reporter As TechRadar's senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You'll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest. An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as this Moon Knight TV spot. Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across. Got a scoop, interesting story, or an intriguing angle on the latest news in entertainment? Feel free to drop him a line. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. New trailer for Peacemaker season 2 tries to answer our biggest question about the HBO Max show, but now I'm more confused about its place in the DCU Superman's most surprising cameo has got me asking 3 big questions about James Gunn's next DCU project HBO Max reveals final trailer for Peacemaker season 2 – and it might have spoiled one of the popular show's biggest surprises 4 crucial Superman movie details you might have missed in the final trailer for James Gunn's next DC comic book film Superman: everything we know so far about James Gunn's next DC movie (release date, trailer, cast, plot, and more) 'I think I have a way in': James Gunn gives exciting update on the DCU's Batman movie, but I want clarity about The Dark Knight's next film as well Latest in HBO Max Hang on, hasn’t The Pitt season 2’s first trailer spoiled a major season 1 cliffhanger? Peacemaker season 2 cast tease what's next for the 11th Street Kids in the hit HBO Max show: 'it's something new' Peacemaker season 2 release schedule: when will episode 1 launch on HBO Max and other streaming services? Peacemaker season 2 star Sol Rodríguez teases which DCU project she wants her character to appear in next: 'I would love that' Don’t dismiss And Just Like That's dismal finale – believe it or not, some good things happened HBO Max reveals final trailer for Peacemaker season 2 – and it might have spoiled one of the popular show's biggest surprises Latest in News Blood oxygen tracking is set to return to Apple Watches in the US – but a new lawsuit could block it This free Chrome VPN extension found to spy on its 100k+ users – uninstall it now ChatGPT 5 is finally saying 'I don’t know' – here’s why that’s a big deal Apple TV+’s sudden price hike will see people paying 30% more – and angry subscribers are already canceling Microsoft restricts access to its cyber early warning systems for some Chinese firms Google Pixel 10 ditches physical SIM card slots for eSIM-only models LATEST ARTICLES Peacemaker season 2 episode 1 solves a big mystery about the HBO Max show's first season – and it's all thanks to James Gunn's Superman The Map That Leads to You isn’t the best Prime Video of 2025, but it shows how romantic yearning is really done Everything leaving Netflix in September 2025: don't miss streaming these 41 movies and 6 series Herdling is a surprisingly well-rounded atmospheric adventure that belies its short play time – and it's right at home on the Switch 2 An apparently "limited" data breach at an Aussie telco giant turned out to have leaked 280,000 customer details TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. 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