James Gunn Teases Major DCEU Character Coming to New Season of ‘Peacemaker’
The first episode of Peacemaker Season 2 has given fans a big change to notice. In a recap of Season 1, the Snyderverse Justice League was replaced by DC’s newly established Justice Gang.
This new lineup features Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi), alongside the new Superman, David Corenswet, and Supergirl, Milly Alcock.
This switch was expected since director James Gunn had hinted even before the first season aired that the Justice League scene would be updated.
Gunn also noted that some projects, like Peacemaker and Blue Beetle, are easier to integrate into the new DC Universe because they don’t have much connection to the old DCEU. This is largely because these projects were developed after the reboot was already planned.
When asked if there’s a chance that Blue Beetle could appear in future seasons of Peacemaker, Gunn gave a teasingly positive response: “Well, you know, I won’t say you’re not in luck.”
NEW: James Gunn confirms (again) that Blue Beetle, played by Xolo Maridueña, is in the DCU!
— Xolo Maridueña Updates (@XoloUpdates) August 23, 2025
[via imdb on instagram] pic.twitter.com/lL5w2VcH9i
This isn’t the first time Gunn has expressed interest in including Blue Beetle in the DCU. Warner Bros. Animation and DC Studios are now developing an animated series continuing the story of Jaime Reyes, the Blue Beetle.
Miguel Puga will serve as showrunner and director, with Cristian Martinez writing. Angel Manuel Soto and Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, who worked on the 2023 film, will executive produce alongside John Rikard, while Galen Vaisman will oversee the series for DC Studios.
The animated series will build on the film but tell its own story, potentially setting the stage for another big-screen appearance.
Xolo Maridueña, who plays Jaime Reyes, told reporters that the team is working hard on the series, hoping to finalize plans in 2025 and release the show in 2026. He joked, “Hey man, arrest me! [laughs] I’m ready to come back. We’re hitting hard this animated project, hoping to get this settled out this year to show everyone next year.”
Maridueña also said he trusts James Gunn’s vision for the character and is excited about the future, adding, “Look, he’s got his hands in his kitchen. I don’t want to walk in while the chef is doing his thing. But I can say that once they’re finished with this three-course meal, I’m ready.”
“And look, I have no reason to believe that he’s lying. Like, whatever, we’re adults, say whatever you want to say! [laughs] I’m just happy to have done this first one and I’ll continue to spread the word about that while we get the second one drafted up.”
It makes sense that Blue Beetle would be part of the new DCU, especially with Booster Gold also getting a standalone series. Fans can expect these characters to play a bigger role as the DCU continues to expand.
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