John Cena's Peacemaker Gets Suicide Squad Spin-Off Show From James Gunn

While fans still have to wait until 2021 for The Suicide Squad to hit theaters, it's been announced that HBO Max has greenlit a straight-to-series order for a Peacemaker spin-off show with John Cena reprising his role of the titular character. Director James Gunn will write all the series and direct multiple episodes, including the pilot.

The eight-episode series will explore the origins of the Peacemaker character, who Cena described as a "douchey Captain America", first appeared in Fightin' 5 #40 and was created by writer Joe Gill and artist Pat Boyette back in November 1966. John Cena will play the titular role, which he'll also be playing in the forthcoming movie.

"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," Cena stated in a press release. "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."

"Peacemaker is an opportunity to delve into current world issues through the lens of this superhero/supervillain/and world's biggest douchebag," Gunn added.

"I'm excited to expand The Suicide Squad and bring this character from the DC film universe to the full breadth of a series," continued Gunn. "And of course, to be able to work again with John, Peter, and my friends at Warner Bros. is the icing on the cake."

While the details of the Peacemaker series are very much underwraps for now, it is scheduled to begin production in early 2021, right before Gunn has to return to the MCU to direct Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.