Skip to main content
  • TotalFilm
  • Edge
  • Newsarama
  • Retrogamer
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • More
    • PS5
    • Xbox Series X
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Nintendo Switch 2
    • PC
    • Platforms
    • Tabletop Gaming
    • Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Newsletters
    • About us
    • Features
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Best Netflix Shows
Don't miss these
Alan Ritchson as 81 in War Machine
Sci-Fi Movies Alan Ritchson says Reacher was the most physically demanding role he'd ever played before signing on to War Machine
David Corenswet as Superman
Superhero Movies How to watch DC movies in order (release date and chronological)
Antony Starr as Homelander in The Boys season 5 trailer
Superhero Shows The Boys season 5 trailer teases an immortal Homelander, as Butcher plots to "kill every f***ing Supe on the planet"
DCU Chapter One explained: James Gunn smiling.
Superhero Movies DCU Chapter One: Every movie and show in the new DC cinematic universe
Alan Ritchson in War Machine
Sci-Fi Movies War Machine star Alan Ritchson says the film's most dangerous stunt was "pretty terrifying," as he ziplined over rapids
Aaron Pierre as John Stewart and Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan in Lanterns.
Superhero Shows Lanterns release date speculation, cast, plot, and everything else we know about the new DCU TV show
Ryan in The Boys season 5
Superhero Shows The Boys season 5 release date, cast, plot, trailer, and more news
Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost, Lewis Pullman as Sentry, Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, and Wyatt Russell as US Agent in Thunderbolts
Marvel Movies Marvel star Lewis Pullman puts Avengers: Doomsday cameo overload fears to rest: "Every character has their moment"
Robert Pattinson in The Batman
Superhero Movies Upcoming DC movies and TV shows: Every DCU title coming soon
Hawkeye
Marvel TV Shows Wonder Man showrunner reveals Hawkeye went through massive changes weeks before filming
A legion of different incarnations of Brainiac
DC Movies James Gunn explains his comic influences for Man of Tomorrow's Brainiac, including the classic story he's not adapting
Creature Commandos
DC TV Shows Creature Commandos season 2: Everything we know so far about the return of James Gunn's DC show
Superman coming face to face with an eerie, inhuman version of Brainiac
DC Movies Braniac star says it's a "true miracle" that he was cast in Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow
Superman 2 concept art by Jim Lee showing Superman holding a screwdriver and buddying up to Lex Luthor, who is clad in his purple and green battle armor
DC Movies Superman 2 Man of Tomorrow release date, cast, plot and trailer speculation: Everything we know about the DCU movie
Karl Urban as Billy Butcher in The Boys season 3 trailer
Superhero Shows Your fave might die in The Boys season 5 as Karl Urban confirms there are "fatalities right from the get-go"
  1. Entertainment
  2. TV
  3. Superhero Shows

Peacemaker star John Cena says his Superman cameo was decided at the "final hour" during season 2 costume fittings: "James asked me if I wanted to be involved, and my answer was 'Heck yes'"

News
By Megan Garside published 4 August 2025

John Cena’s fleeting Superman cameo was a last-minute decision

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

John Cena as Chris Smith AKA Peacemaker in Peacemaker season 1.
(Image credit: WarnerMedia)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
0
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Get the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

Peacemaker star John Cena has finally addressed his fleeting but crowd-pleasing cameo in Superman, revealing that it was actually a rather spontaneous decision made by DC boss James Gunn whilst preparing for Peacemaker season 2.

"I was called in at the final hour as we were preparing for Peacemaker season 2. I did the costume fittings for the new Peacemaker season 2 wardrobe... They were filming Superman at the time, and James [Gunn] asked me if I wanted to be involved, and my answer was, 'Heck yes!'" said Cena via Peacemaker’s official Twitter. "So I got to go on a talk show and talk some smack about Superman."

Cena shows up in one of the best Superman cameos, just after Lex Luthor reveals the full extent of the message sent by Superman’s Kryptonian parents to the world. Soon after, Superman is viciously trolled on various talk shows and online. In one TV segment, we see Peacemaker on a news show talking about the hero: "I can’t say I’m surprised, Cleavis. It’s guys like this, they always gotta whole bunch of dark ugly secrets."

You may like
  • David Corenswet as Superman James Gunn says Superman was the "hardest" movie he's ever made
  • David Corenswet as Superman All-Star Superman writer Grant Morrison has some issues with James Gunn’s take on the character
  • Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor in Superman James Gunn reminds everyone he's "never said" that Brainiac is in the Superman sequel

Although Peacemaker only appears for a few moments, the cameo proved to be a big hit with DC fans. In an early screening attended by GamesRadar+, the delighted audience burst into spontaneous laughter as soon as Cena hit the screen. It seems like other fans feel the same way, as one commented on the video, "I’ve seen Superman twice now and both times Peacemaker’s cameo got one of the biggest laughs in the entire theater."

Fans will soon get to see a whole lot more than a few seconds of Cena’s complex hero as Peacemaker season 2 is heading to HBO very shortly. In season 2, Peacemaker "discovers an alternate world where life is everything he wishes it could be. But this discovery also forces him to face his traumatic past and take the future into his own hands," reads the official synopsis.

Written and partly directed by Gunn, season 2 welcomes back Cena, as well as Danielle Brooks, Jennifer Holland, Freddie Stroma, Steve Agee, and Robert Patrick. New cast members include Rick Flag Sr. star Frank Grillo, David Denman, Sol Rodriguez, and Tim Meadows.

Peacemaker season 2 lands on HBO Max on August 21. For more on DCU Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, check out our guide to upcoming DC movies and TV shows.

TOPICS
James Gunn
CATEGORIES
DC TV Shows Action Shows
PRODUCTS
Peacemaker Superman
Megan Garside
Megan Garside
Social Links Navigation
Junior Social Media Editor, GamesRadar+

I'm the Junior Social Media Editor here at GamesRadar+, handling all of Total Film's social platforms. However, I also write, covering all things film and TV for the site's entertainment section. I joined GamesRadar+ in 2023 and have been here ever since. I previously worked in communications after graduating with an MA in journalism. In my spare time, you can find me binging horror movies or getting lost in a cosy little game on my Switch.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
David Corenswet as Superman
James Gunn says Superman was the "hardest" movie he's ever made
 
 
David Corenswet as Superman
All-Star Superman writer Grant Morrison has some issues with James Gunn’s take on the character
 
 
Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor in Superman
James Gunn reminds everyone he's "never said" that Brainiac is in the Superman sequel
 
 
David Corenswet as Superman fighting back flames
James Gunn claims he doesn't "care about prestige" as he says his goal is to "affect people in a "more spiritual way"
 
 
Henry Cavill as Superman
On its 15th anniversary, Zack Snyder unveils rare first photo of Henry Cavill's Superman in old school suit
 
 
David Corenswet in costume Superman, with a blue GamesRadar+ Best of 2025 logo in the top right
Superman captured my heart as the 2025 movie of the year with its hopeful rejection of cynicism
 
 
Latest in Superhero Shows
Antony Starr as Homelander in The Boys season 5 trailer
The Boys season 5 trailer teases an immortal Homelander, as Butcher plots to "kill every f***ing Supe on the planet"
 
 
Thragg leading a group of Viltrumites
New Invincible season 4 trailer teases the debut of ultimate Viltrumite villain Thragg
 
 
Nicolas Cage as Ben Reilly in Spider-Noir
Nicolas Cage wanted to play his 1930s superhero detective in Spider-Noir like a "spider pretending to be a person"
 
 
Spider-Noir aiming his webshooter
New Spider-Noir character art gives us our best look yet at the spin-off's rogues' gallery, from an unlikely source
 
 
Ben Kingsley as Trevor Slattery and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams in Wonder Man.
Marvel fans are discussing a potential Wonder Man season 2 as they hope for a West Coast Avengers team-up storyline
 
 
Nicolas Cage as Ben Reilly in Spider-Noir
Spider-Noir's new teaser gives us best look yet at Electro and Nic Cage's webslinger beating up gangsters
 
 
Latest in News
Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise in the It: Welcome to Derry finale
It: Welcome to Derry season 2 is officially in the works, as showrunner promises "something greater" than season 1
 
 
Mass Effect
"F***ing Colonel Shepard dies in Mass Effect 3, and that makes us the Worst Company in America," former EA exec laments
 
 
a ditto human sitting on some logs with pikachu and pichu
Pokopia's unhinged dialogue is tempting me away from Animal Crossing: "It's a pretty nice butt, don't you think?"
 
 
A lady looks shocked.
55-year industry vet made the first CRPG, got laid off, went bankrupt, but "I don't care": "Business does not love you"
 
 
Dragon Quest 11
Dragon Quest creator says English is "a simple language," so "the flavor tends to get lost" when translating games
 
 
Resident Evil Requiem
Resident Evil Requiem is too scary for series veteran Hideki Kamiya, who argues Capcom "should make a 'non-scary' mode"
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. A lady looks shocked.
    1
    55-year industry vet made the first CRPG, got laid off, went bankrupt, but "I don't care": "Business does not love you"
  2. 2
    Pokopia's unhinged dialogue is tempting me away from Animal Crossing: "It's a pretty nice butt, don't you think?"
  3. 3
    The Asus ROG Azoth 96 HE has returned to take the magnetic crown, but that price tag is going to be a problem
  4. 4
    Dragon Quest creator says English is "a simple language," so "the flavor tends to get lost" when translating games
  5. 5
    One Piece season 2 answers a near 30-year-old manga mystery in surprisingly straightforward fashion

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...