The Pivotal Peacemaker Character James Gunn Almost Included in Season 2 (That Would Have Changed Everything)

Peacemaker Season 2 has only further cemented James Gunn's talent for superhero storytelling, but he appears to have dialed back one element that could have really packed a punch.

While reading through fan questions on the most recent edition of Peacemaker: The Official Podcast with James Gunn, during which the filmmaker discusses the bold twists in Peacemaker Season 2, Episode 7 with cast members Danielle Brooks, Jennifer Holland, Nhut Le and Steve Agee, the mystery surrounding the mother of Christopher Smith (John Cena) and her whereabouts is brought up. Gunn promptly responded that he knows exactly where she is, but has no intention of revealing that yet.

In fact, Gunn adds confirmation that Peacemaker's mom almost had a role in the HBO Max original series' second season before deciding to keep her identity a secret a little longer. He also mentions that he already has an actor in mind to play the part when the time comes.

The following article contains spoilers for Peacemaker Season 2.

Peacemaker Season 2 has only further cemented James Gunn's talent for superhero storytelling, but he appears to have dialed back one element that could have really packed a punch.

While reading through fan questions on the most recent edition of Peacemaker: The Official Podcast with James Gunn, during which the filmmaker discusses the bold twists in Peacemaker Season 2, Episode 7 with cast members Danielle Brooks, Jennifer Holland, Nhut Le and Steve Agee, the mystery surrounding the mother of Christopher Smith (John Cena) and her whereabouts is brought up. Gunn promptly responded that he knows exactly where she is, but has no intention of revealing that yet.

In fact, Gunn adds confirmation that Peacemaker's mom almost had a role in the HBO Max original series' second season before deciding to keep her identity a secret a little longer. He also mentions that he already has an actor in mind to play the part when the time comes.

On the podcast, the subject is changed very quickly, not leaving Gunn — who also changed his plan for Peacemaker Season 2's villains early on — any room to divulge what type of role Mother Smith would have played in the story. However, one can infer that her presence would have made for a heartstring-tugging inclusion to a season that dives even deeper into the titular character's personal struggles with his identity and, especially, his family.

Peacemaker's Mother Has A Presence In Season 2

While Chris' mom may not ever show up in Peacemaker Season 2, she still plays some role in the story. There is a moment from the sixth episode in which Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland), after traveling to the alternate dimension later revealed to be the Nazi-occupied Earth-X, bumps into Chris' older, brother, Keith (David Denman). As an excuse for why she is in Chris' room, Harcourt says that Chris wanted her to deliver him a snow globe, which Keith shares was a gift from their mother on her deathbed.

So, this scene reveals that Mother Smith is deceased in Earth-X, while James Gunn personally confirmed on Peacemaker: The Official Podcast with James Gunn that she is still living in the DC Universe's central continuity. Taking this detail into account, could this brief, funny scene actually be a huge hint at what to expect from Peacemaker Season 3?

Gunn also indicates in the podcast that Keith, otherwise known as Captain Triumph, is intended to be Peacemaker's arch nemesis — despite original plans to kill him in Episode 7 — and that Season 2 lays the groundwork for that rivalry, established by Keith's violent reaction to discovering Chris accidentally killed his own Earth-X counterpart. If Gunn intends to bring their mother into the story at some point, could that be just what the interdimensional siblings need to quell their feud, or could it only make things worse? Perhaps that will be revealed in Peacemaker Season 3, which remains unconfirmed at the moment.

The Peacemaker Season 2 finale drops on HBO Max Thursday, Oct. 9.