Warning, the following story includes major spoilers for “Peacemaker” and its finale.
After eight episodes of television, writer/director James Gunn has proven DC Comics properties can be a cut above The CW counterparts that have dragged down the brand for years. Spun off from his “The Suicide Squad” movie, Gunn’s recently finished “Peacemaker” series on HBO Max is arguably the beginning of a new era for DC in TV, demonstrating that a foul-mouthed, muscle-headed buffoon like the Peacemaker character, Christopher Smith (John Cena), could be a character with heart and worth rooting for. A second season has already been ordered, and Gunn is already teasing that he has potentially more than one ‘Suicide Squad/DC Films spin-off series in the works too.
READ MORE: ‘Peacemaker’ Renewed For Season 2 As HBO Max Executive Teases New James Gunn DC TV Show
But really making waves with fans this past were the surprise cameos in the finale. Gunn was able to convince Jason Momoa and Ezra Miller to appear and briefly play their respective DC heroes, Aquaman and The Flash. The entire segment showed the Justice League, Superman, and Wonder Woman, too, albeit seen in shadows, clearly played by stand-ins who were not Henry Cavill and Gal Gadot. Regardless, the exclusion of two Justice League characters had fans asking why Batman and Cyborg were not in the scene? Well, it turns out they were, but cut out of the scene, according to an actor on set.
Matt Turner, a Canadian model/actor who apparently was hired to play the stand-in for Batman in the finale, revealed on his Instagram account that Batman and Cyborg were initially part of the scene, but ultimately didn’t make the cut of the episode, suggesting they were cut out for unknown reasons in the post-production/editing stage.
READ MORE: ‘Peacemaker’: James Gunn Explains How Those Surprise Finale Cameos Came About
“After that epic ‘Peacemaker’ finale, I can finally post this,” turner wrote while in Batman costume on set, having taken a selfie of himself in the outfit. “Sadly I, and Cyborg were cut from the final edit. Why? Only James Gunn & [Warners Bos.] know that. While it’s disappointing to be scrubbed out, this was still a blast, and a dream come true to wear the suit! Big thanks to everyone involved.”
If Batman and Cyborg were shot in the scene initially, then it would appear that Gunn seemingly wanted to include the main “Justice League” lineup in the finale. But issues around both characters are tricky at the moment, and it’s very possible Warner Bros. nixed the appearance of both characters in the end.
For one, Ben Affleck’s Batman is soon to be leaving the DC Extended Universe after the upcoming “The Flash” film will seemingly retcon him out of the continuity by a time travel reset that seems to be on the way. And two, Cyborg actor Ray Fisher has publicly battled so hard against WB brass in his relentless accountability campaign against Joss Whedon and the allegations of abuse he levied on nearly everyone involved in 2016’s “Justice League,” many assume he pressed too hard, alienated many execs involved and pushed himself out of a job. The matter does bring issues about Henry Cavill, who is contractually no longer Superman for the moment and hasn’t been for years, but whose character was still allowed to stay in the scene. Why? That’s all above our pay grades, but fans are already speculating the appearance could have deeper implications for his future. Stay tuned for more, potentially, and stay tuned for Gunn and HBO Max, eventually revealing plans for their second (or third) series.
