Wed Sep 24 05:10:00 UTC 2025: ## James Gunn’s Subtle Shift: How “Peacemaker” Hints at DCU/Snyderverse Divide
**Hollywood, CA** – DC Studios head James Gunn may have subtly revealed his strategy for differentiating his new DC Universe (DCU) from the previous iteration, often referred to as the “Snyderverse.” The clue lies in a seemingly insignificant detail in the latest episode of “Peacemaker” Season 2 on HBO Max.
The episode, which opened with the funeral of Joel Kinnaman’s Rick Flag Jr., a character originating in the “Suicide Squad” films, featured a subtle alteration. While the Snyderverse version of Flag Jr. was known to have the middle name “Rogers,” the memorial in “Peacemaker” identifies him as Rick Flag **Bill**.
This tiny tweak, spotted by fans, suggests that Gunn is not simply carrying over existing characters and storylines wholesale. Instead, the DCU may exist in a separate timeline or reality, presenting “variants” of familiar characters. This allows Gunn to cherry-pick elements from the past while establishing a distinct identity for his interconnected DC universe.
“It seems Gunn is picking and choosing what he brings over to his new DC world without rhyme or reason. Because of this, no one project or character from the Snyderverse should be seen as canon, but rather specific elements,” wrote the Direct.
The implication is that while certain events from the previous films, such as Rick Flag’s death at the hands of Peacemaker, might be considered canon, it doesn’t automatically validate everything that occurred in those films.
“Peacemaker” continues its second season on HBO Max, with new episodes airing Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET. Whether this naming convention will be applied more broadly remains to be seen, but for eagle-eyed fans, it’s a potential glimpse into Gunn’s vision for the future of DC.
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