John Cena smiling during a WWE entrance

James Gunn Praises John Cena's Improved Acting in Peacemaker Season 2

Originally posted on The Sportster | By Kellie Crawford | Last updated Aug 22, 2025 10:09 PM ET

James Gunn praises John Cena's stronger, emotional acting in Peacemaker season two.
Peacemaker season two launched Aug 21; eight episodes drop Thursdays on HBO Max.
Cena's final WWE match set for Dec 13; faces Logan Paul Aug 31 and likely Brock Lesnar later.

While he’s on the last leg of his WWERetirement Tour, the second season of John Cena’s hit DCU/HBO show Peacemaker just kicked off on Thursday, August 21. Fans had to wait a bit for this season to start. Season one ended in February 2022. The writer and director of the show, James Gunn, actually thinks that Cena has progressed as an actor since the show began in January 2022.

What James Gunn Said About John Cena’s Acting

Gunn took to the social media platform Threads to praise Cena and talk about how impressed he was by his acting. He wrote:

"In season two – I hadn't worked with John for two years. I'd only talked to him socially – he came into that first scene… and I said, 'I think you're going to break down crying.' I just was absolutely not prepared for John, who just instantly has tears rushing down his face and breaks down into sobs. And I went, 'Wow, this guy has gotten so much better over the past two years as an actor. I really think his performance throughout season two is something just wonderful to behold, and people are going to be completely taken aback by it."

Peacemaker season two will consist of eight episodes, and new episodes will be available every Thursday on HBO Max. Gunn is also the co-CEO of DC Studios and directed this year's summer blockbuster, Superman, with actor David Corenswet in the title role. Cena actually had a small cameo as Chris “Peacemaker” Smith in the movie.

John Cena’s WWE Retirement Tour Is Nearing An End

John Cena smiling during a WWE entrance

While his acting career has plenty of years left in Hollywood, the truth about his wrestling career is different. Cena’s last WWE match will be on December 13 for Saturday Night Main Event, and it will be streaming on Peacock. An opponent has yet to be announced.

His next match is set for Sunday, August 31, at Clash in Paris and will be against Logan Paul. Cena was also announced for the main event for the first PLE to air on ESPN’s DTC service, Wrestlepalooza. While it hasn’t been confirmed yet, Cena will probably be facing Brock Lesnar then. As previously reported, Lesnar made his return after several years away at SummerSlam. After Cena lost the WWE Undisputed Title to Cody Rhodes, Lesnar came out and hit Cena with an F5.

It will be sad for longtime Cena fans to see him one last time in the ring, but on the bright side, it seems that Peacemaker will be here for a bit. While the DC comic book character is way different from what WWE fans are used to, it is still another iconic role for the future WWE Hall of Famer.

This article first appeared on The Sportster and was syndicated with permission.

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