John Cena Says He Accepts 'Peacemaker' No Longer Being James Gunn's Priority

John Cena says he has not worn the Peacemaker helmet since Season 2 wrapped — and he accepts why. In an interview on Josh Horowitz's "Happy, Sad, Confused" podcast, the actor said he understands that James Gunn now has bigger properties to manage as co-CEO of DC Studios.

Asked whether audiences have seen the last of the fan-favorite anti-hero Christopher Smith, Cena replied: "You need a different guy in this chair" — ostensibly referring to Gunn. Asked whether he had been in costume since Season 2 finished production, he answered plainly: "No."

Cena was quick to frame his loyalty in personal terms. "When I put that helmet on, I told James, I'm like, 'Dude, I'll put this helmet on as long as you need me to,'" he said. "He makes me a better performer, so I love being around him."

Why did 'Peacemaker' fall down Gunn's list?

Cena offered his own account of the show's origin. When Gunn wrote what became "Peacemaker," he had just made "Guardians of the Galaxy" and then "got invited to DC," Cena said. "He had one crew to mess around with: the Suicide Squad. And then COVID hit, and he was really bored, so he wrote 'Peacemaker.'"

The series began as a side project born of pandemic downtime. Cena's character debuted in 2021's "The Suicide Squad." Season 1 of "Peacemaker" premiered in 2022 on HBO Max. Season 2 arrived more than three years later, in October 2025.

Between those two seasons, the corporate and creative picture around the show changed completely. Gunn and Peter Safran were hired as co-CEOs of DC Studios and rebooted the DC Universe, launching it with "Superman" and "Creature Commandos." When David Ellison closed the Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger to form Skydance Corp., he announced that Gunn and Safran would continue as co-heads of DC Studios at the new company.

What did Cena say about Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman?

Cena said Gunn's expanded catalogue, not indifference, explains Peacemaker's diminished priority. "Now, this dude gets to play with a whole box of toys, and because you get the whole box of toys, you have to address the really valuable ones first — and I understand that," he said, referring to "valuable IPs" such as Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman.

He added that he would make the same call himself. "I'm not in a leadership spot, but if I was, I'd be making those plays first," Cena said. "That's OK."

Cena's next screen appearance is already in theaters: he stars in "Matchbox: The Movie," which opened on Friday. Whether Peacemaker returns under the Skydance-owned DC Studios now rests with Gunn and Safran's slate — and Cena says he will put the helmet back on whenever they ask.