Following the character-introductory “Roll Call” and behind-the-scenes videos that were released at DC Fandome back in August, it has been confirmed that new Squad member Peacemaker will receive his own limited series on the HBO Max streaming service. The character, played by WWE wrestler-turned-actor John Cena, has been described as a man so desperate for peace that he’s willing to kill to get it.
It has been reported that Warner Bros. executives have been so pleased with the character in early cuts of Gunn’s film that they have ordered Peacemaker as a straight-to-series prequel.
Gunn being so heavily involved in the series is a great departure from traditional positions taken in similar instances
Following the report, James Gunn confirmed on his social media accounts that he has written the entire 8-episode series and will also direct some episodes. Gunn being so heavily involved in the series is a great departure from traditional positions taken in similar instances (Matt Reeves is only a producer on his The Batman prequel series) and could signal a new deal between WB and Gunn that extends passed The Suicide Squad.
Unlike David Ayer’s Suicide Squad, which took its inspiration from the New 52 series that was darker in tone and was the first to feature Harley Quinn, Gunn has explicitly stated his love for the original John Ostrander run from the 1980s. The original Suicide Squad comic featured campier C and D list villains that were expendable in the eyes of editors, and was also inspired by 70s war films with a comedic edge.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have an adverse effect on the cinema industry, with Warner Bros’ would-be tent pole blockbuster Tenet struggling at the box office and Wonder Woman 1984 being continually pushed; the latter is currently sitting on a Christmas Day release.
While cinema has suffered, television has become a staple in pop culture
Despite having finished filming before the pandemic and its current August 2021 positioning, this news is perhaps a sign that Warner Bros. is anticipating a delay or a sign of confidence that series will be able to be released before the August release.
While cinema has suffered, television has become a staple in pop culture. Both Disney+ and Amazon Prime have been feeding out their series content on a weekly basis, building hype exponentially and rationing out their content during a time where regular filming has become expensive and difficult. Warner Bros’ latest commissions for original DC content on HBO Max will likely fall into the same mould.
Featured image credit: IMDb, HBO Max, Warner Bros. Pictures on Youtube.
