‘Douchey’ superhero Peacemaker’s journey is something viewers can relate to, says actor John Cena

LOS ANGELES – The satirical superhero series Peacemaker follows an abrasive, violence-prone vigilante who strives to achieve peace at any cost – and no matter how many people he kills along the way.

John Cena, the American actor and WWE professional wrestler who portrays him, described the character as a “douchey Captain America” when he first played him in the superhero movie The Suicide Squad (2021).

But Chris Smith, as he is also known, has been on an antihero’s journey since surviving a near-fatal shooting at the end of that film.

In 2022, he got his own spin-off series, Peacemaker, and joined a covert mission to stop an alien species from taking over people’s bodies, slowly reconnecting with his humanity in the process.

And in Season 2 – now available on HBO Max and set after the events of the 2025 Superman film – he softens further.

Speaking in July at San Diego Comic-Con, an annual fan convention in California, Cena says this chapter will introduce a parallel universe in which Peacemaker is seen as a hero and everything is going well for him.

But it begins with the character “going through a little bit of a rough patch in life”.

“Nothing’s going right, or very little is going right,” says the 48-year-old star, who appeared in the action comedy Heads Of State (2025) and the 2021 and 2023 instalments of the Fast & Furious action franchise.

“People will enjoy that lane of the season because it hits home. We’ve all thought that, ‘Man, the grass might be greener on the other side.’”

Cena applauds the show’s creator, American writer-director James Gunn – who was seated beside him at the panel – for making the character relatable despite his supersoldier-like combat skills and physicality.

“Your ability to tell stories through ‘super’ circumstances, but make material we can all relate to, is important,” says Cena.

“Because when we watch these larger-than-life characters go through their journey, that’s something we want to root for, but it’s something we get even more enthusiastic about when it’s a journey that we can relate to.”

Gunn says Peacemaker will emerge from this season a changed man. “I really like TV shows where the characters don’t just return every season and they’re the same exact characters.

“I want to see growth, I want to see change – and sometimes regression,” says the 59-year-old co-chairman and co-chief executive of DC Studios, who wrote and directed Superman, The Suicide Squad as well as the Guardians Of The Galaxy franchise (2014 to 2023).

“And Peacemaker’s a different guy this year – he’s trying to deal with the demons he uncovered in the first season.”

But “the world is not accepting him the way he is”, Gunn adds. “They aren’t accepting him as a hero.”

“And he’s in love with Emilia Harcourt and she’s not accepting him,” Gunn says, referring to the government agent played by his wife, 37-year-old American actress Jennifer Holland, who also appeared in The Suicide Squad.

“So, he’s not getting anything he wants – and he discovers a parallel dimension, thinks it’s the perfect universe, and that is the beginning of the story.”

The series is known for pushing boundaries with graphic violence, adult language and over-the-top humour, and this season is no exception, with Gunn revealing the first episode contains a very raunchy scene.

“There is a very sexual thing happening in Peacemaker’s house,” he teases.

But Cena is always game to go along with whatever Gunn proposes – no matter how outrageous.

“I’ll do anything. Almost anything. I think James takes advantage of that a lot,” quips the performer. “That’s why we’re good.”

Jokes aside, Gunn praises his leading man for always being willing to take creative risks.

“John’s the best. He will try anything, and he’s just really open. And for a guy who is as famous as John Cena is, he has no ego whatsoever. He is there to do the work.”