A new copyright filing is raising questions about the future of the DC Universe. The final episode of Peacemaker Season 2 ended with Christopher Smith, also known as Peacemaker, traveling through a portal. He arrived in a place called “Salvation.” In the show, Rick Flag Sr., played by Frank Grillo, planned to use Salvation as a prison world for metahumans. These prisoners would have no way to leave. James Gunn, who co-leads DC Studios, seems to be adapting Salvation Run for the screen. This is a 2007 comic series where the U.S. government sends supervillains to a distant world, and it has not received much attention before now.
According to Knight Edge Media, DC Studios registered a copyright for the name Salvation Run on October 15, 2025. This step came less than a week after the Peacemaker Season 2 finale. The report points out that the filing is under the “major motion picture” category. This could mean a live-action film or an animated one. DC Comics already owns the trademark for Salvation Run in print, but the studio needed a new filing for a movie project.
Even though the studio has not confirmed anything yet, the signs are pointing to a Salvation Run project. When James Gunn first shared the new DCU lineup, called Chapter 1 – Gods and Monsters, he said only half of the planned movie titles were being made public. Some projects had to stay secret to avoid giving away plot details. Salvation Run was likely on the list from the start, but Gunn could not talk about it in 2023, as it would have exposed the direction for Superman and for the second season of Peacemaker.
The original comic series focused on a conflict between two groups of villains, one led by the Joker and the other by Lex Luthor. James Gunn said he will not follow that specific story. He is interested in the idea of the government sending metahumans to another world and watching what kind of society they build. Gunn compared his interest to the early concept for Salvation Run developed by George R.R. Martin, known for his work on Game of Thrones. Gunn made it clear that fans should not expect any connection between Salvation and Darkseid or the world of Apokolips, as seen in the comics.
There is speculation that Salvation Run could be the first big crossover for the new DC Universe. Some fans think it may lead to the Justice League’s creation. Others note that Gunn’s interest in the story’s themes might let Salvation Run continue ideas from The Suicide Squad. This could allow the return of characters like Ratcatcher II, Bloodsport, and Harley Quinn. There is also talk that Salvation Run could be the name of a film about Deathstroke and Bane, with both villains trapped in another dimension. If these rumors are true, Salvation Run could play a major role in shaping future DCU films like Lanterns, Supergirl, Clayface, and Man of Tomorrow.
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