James Gunn’s most ridiculous-looking DC scene seems to have a deeper, darker which means to it given the story of the discharge in query and the behind-the-scenes feedback about its script. As one of many two new co-CEOs of DC Studios – alongside Peter Safran – James Gunn’s perspective on superhero reveals and flicks is now extra necessary than ever.
With a spread of profitable superhero releases behind him – now together with 2025’s Superman – Gunn’s function as overseer of the DCU timeline appears to be a promising one. That is doubly true when wanting on the layered meanings that may typically be present in his work, and even inside Gunn’s goofiest DC scene thus far.
James Gunn’s Goofiest DC Scene Is Arguably Peacemaker’s Dance Sequence
James Gunn’s DC work so far has contained some actually extraordinary moments, even simply coming into what appears to be the beginning of the DC Universe’s run. The Suicide Squad contained the likes of King Shark being attacked by lovable if vicious multicolored aquatic creations, and Superman‘s inventive makes use of of Man Gardner’s powers additionally delved in the direction of that territory.
Nonetheless, the dance sequence that served as Peacemaker‘s season 1 opening credit is certainly the goofiest scene we have seen so removed from Gunn in his DC initiatives. James Gunn has commented on how surreal this phase of the present is himself, with him stating in Peacemaker: The Official Podcast episode 1 that it was “completely ridiculous“, and mentioning:
“It was one thing that I used to be so excited for individuals to see, I keep in mind, earlier than this episode premiered, as a result of it was gonna take individuals by such shock. And it did.”
Finally, the ridiculousness of this musical sequence – whereby the Peacemaker forged do a funky-looking dance to Wigwam’s “Do Ya Wanna Style It” whereas retaining extraordinarily severe expressions to make issues much more comedic – is difficult to overstate. That mentioned, that is additionally what makes it work – and work properly, because it’s probably the most well-known elements of the present.
Whereas this sequence is definitely loved as a surreal and stylish viewing expertise with none deeper which means, the context round it truly hints at a distinct option to learn the scene. Unsurprisingly for the darkish comedy motion present, mentioned deeper which means additionally offers a far darker approach to have a look at this dance routine.
Peacemaker’s Dance Sequence Hides A Deeper, Darker Which means
There are just a few small methods the Peacemaker dance sequence appears to cover particulars in its splendidly ridiculous runtime – with issues just like the refined center fingers midway by way of being simpler to identify in later viewings, and Peacemaker capturing a gun proper earlier than his father is proven on-screen mirroring Auggie’s destiny in season 1 properly in a refined approach.
Nonetheless, maybe essentially the most attention-grabbing half about this can be a element that the behind-the-scenes look again on the present makes clearer. In Peacemaker: The Official Podcast, when discussing this sequence, Emilia Harcourt actor Jennifer Holland mentions to James Gunn that:
“I imagine within the script you described it as one thing like ‘we had been puppets being managed like marionettes’ or one thing like that.”
On reflection, and with this remark in thoughts, there’s an apparent deeper which means that may be attributed to the in any other case seemingly solely goofy dance sequence.
Finally, Peacemaker is all about the primary forged being manipulated, as they discover out on the very finish of the primary season that the alien “Butterflies” they have been tasked with wiping out weren’t trying to destroy the world, however somewhat attempting to forestall the Earth being destroyed by local weather change in the identical approach their house planet was.
As such, the surreal dance social gathering phase of those episodes works as a metaphorical reflection of this element, representing how the ridiculous issues the characters find yourself doing are in the end as a result of they’re puppets being managed by bigger forces, who make them do issues they maybe wouldn’t have in any other case if going solely off their very own free will.
Peacemaker’s Dance Sequence Repeats A Intelligent James Gunn Trick
One of the vital attention-grabbing issues about James Gunn’s work is the way in which in which there’s typically deeper significance to comedic moments and scenes. In some methods, that is finest evidenced within the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, which might ceaselessly present essential items of details about its characters by way of comedy and jokes.
For instance, one of many greatest teases of Rocket’s backstory earlier than Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is the way in which he reacts to being referred to as an animal – for the reason that Excessive Evolutionary seemed down on him for his animal origins. Equally, Superman teases Krypto being helpful within the film’s last combat by way of the comedic moments of him savaging Superman and others.
Not solely does this work properly to steadiness a venture’s tone – guaranteeing issues do not get too darkish, however aren’t solely comedy-focused – it additionally ensures audiences are capable of garner details about the world and people inside it even throughout a narrative’s jokes, and that repeat viewings really feel extra warranted to be able to choose up on as many particulars as doable.
With Peacemaker season 2 on the horizon, the deeper which means that may be learn within the Peacemaker season 1 opening dance sequence is all of the extra attention-grabbing. Hopefully, season 2 can mirror this beloved and weird a part of the primary chapter of the DC present, and probably add its personal deeper which means to this a part of the collection as properly.