John Cena’s Peacemaker Getting a Suicide Squad Spinoff Series on HBO Max
As the coronavirus pandemic has thrown Marvel Studios’ carefully laid plans for Phase Four into disarray, Warner Bros. has slowly and carefully been rejuvenating its line of DC Comics properties. Joker was an enormous hit worldwide, even with its R-rating, and fans have been warming to the idea of Robert Pattinson in The Batman, even as Ben Affleck is being welcomed back to the role by fans enthusiastic to see Justice League: The Snyder Cut. The Rock is finally getting his own movie in Black Adam and our first look at James Gunn‘s The Suicide Squad was decidedly different than its predecessor, promising the sort of chaotic fun found in Guardians of the Galaxy and Deadpool.
Apparently, WarnerMedia appreciated Gunn’s new take on the franchise — and new addition to the Squad, John Cena, as Peacemaker — so much that the media conglomerate has decided to give Gunn and Cena their Peacemaker series on HBO Max. Said Gunn:
‘Peacemaker’ is an opportunity to delve into current world issues through the lens of this superhero/supervillain/and world’s biggest douchebag. I’m excited to expand ‘The Suicide Squad’ and bring this character from the DC film universe to the full breadth of a series.
The series will run eight episodes and has been desribed as “an action adventure comedy.” Cena also voiced his enthusiasm for the series:
I have said before that it has been a tremendous honor and an incredible opportunity to be part of ‘The Suicide Squad’ and to work with James on what is going to be a fantastic movie. I am unbelievably excited to have the chance to team up with him again for ‘Peacemaker.’ We can’t wait for fans to see this.
Production is slated to begin in early 2021 and is expected to be completed before Gunn returns to Marvel to shoot Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3. The Suicide Squad also stars Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, Michael Rooker, Flula Borg, David Dastmalchian, Daniela Melchior, Steve Agee, Mayling Ng, Peter Capaldi, Alice Braga, Pete Davidson, Nathan Fillion, Sean Gunn, Storm Reid, Taika Waititi, Joaquín Cosío, and Juan Diego Botto.
The Suicide Squad is slated to be released in theaters on August 6, 2021.
Images courtesy of DC Entertainment/WarnerMedia
That is a smart thing to do. Warners finally seem to be going in the right direction. I have alwasy been a DC fan (my user name) so it was killing me to watch it suffer “the darkness” under Snyder’s and, I believe, Goyer’s control. I almost spit up my brew watching that teaser for Suicide Squad. At first I did not like it. The colors? The tights? But after watching it three or four more times, I “got” it. Reminded me of some of the absurd things in “Super” like Nathan Fillion’s hero. Looking forward to seeing some new and improved DC movies. I will surely watch this series too.