James Gunn admits discomfort directing wife Jennifer Holland and John Cena kiss scene in Peacemaker

James Gunn shares how directing wife Jennifer Holland’s kiss with John Cena in Peacemaker’s finale was awkward

James Gunn has revealed that filming one of the most emotional moments in Peacemaker Season 2 — the kiss between John Cena and Jennifer Holland — was an unexpectedly awkward experience for him. Speaking in a behind-the-scenes breakdown segment shared via HBO Max and DC Studios, Gunn admitted it was uncomfortable directing his wife, actress Jennifer Holland, during a romantic scene with another actor.

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“It wasn’t only that I had to direct you kissing a man,” Gunn explained. “It was that I had to direct you kissing a man in front of 200, 300 extras… I was uncomfortable about it, admittedly. I was like, I don’t want to do this.”

The scene, which features Cena’s Chris Smith (Peacemaker) and Holland’s Emilia Harcourt, served as the emotional centerpiece of the season finale. Gunn revealed that once production began, his discomfort faded, and his focus shifted to the artistry behind the moment. “I was looking at the kiss like, I’m loving it because it’s these beautiful shots,” he said, adding that the sequence contained some of the show’s best cinematography.

The finale moment was technically demanding, requiring multiple takes, careful choreography, and the use of a Phantom camera to capture it in slow motion. Complicating matters further, hundreds of extras were on set, and Cena’s wife, Shay Shariatzadeh, was reportedly present during filming.

Despite the initial awkwardness, Gunn praised the cast and crew for turning a challenging setup into a powerful and emotionally resonant scene. Far from mere fan service, the kiss symbolized the culmination of Chris and Emilia’s growing bond throughout the series, giving Peacemaker’s explosive finale a heartfelt and human conclusion.