Gunn, Cena Surprised by HBO Max Rebrand

DC Studios Co-CEO James Gunn and other members of the Peacemaker team were caught off guard by Warner Bros. Discovery's decision to revert its streaming service back to the HBO Max name while filming promotional content for Season 2. Their reactions, shared on the soon-to-be-renamed Max's official X account, are both amusing and revealing.

The announcement that the streaming service would drop the Max moniker in favor of the original HBO Max banner this summer left many confused, including some of the biggest names at DC. In the footage, Gunn is seen reading from a teleprompter promoting Peacemaker Season 2, set to debut on August 21. His surprise is palpable when he reads "HBO Max" instead of "MAX," and he's quickly informed that the change is real and will be officially announced at the Upfront.

Gunn humorously questions the switch, saying, "God, we’re calling it HBO Max – what? We’re calling it HBO Max again?" Other crew members, including DC Studios Co-CEO Peter Safran, chime in, adding to the confusion and humor of the moment. Gunn expresses his approval of the change, stating, "That’s good, actually, but I didn’t know that was happening."

In contrast, John Cena appears to be well-informed about the rebrand. His video shows him breaking the news to others behind the camera, adding a lighthearted twist to the situation.

While some might speculate that this could be an elaborate publicity stunt by the HBO Max team, the genuine reactions from Gunn and the crew provide a humorous glimpse into the impact of the streaming service's latest rebranding effort.

HBO Max initially launched in 2020 as a comprehensive streaming platform. It retained its name until 2023 when Warner Bros. Discovery, after merging, decided to simplify it to Max. Now, after two years of adjustment, the company has reconsidered and decided to return to the HBO Max name.

No specific date has been set for the rebrand's implementation. As we await further updates on both HBO Max and Peacemaker Season 2, fans can explore other notable DC projects slated for 2025 and delve into the latest trailer insights for Peacemaker Season 2.