Gunn, Cena Surprised by HBO Max Rebrand

In a surprising twist during the filming of promotional content for Peacemaker Season 2, DC Studios Co-CEO James Gunn and other crew members discovered that Warner Bros. Discovery was reverting the name of their streaming service back to HBO Max. The unexpected announcement left everyone, including Gunn and star John Cena, visibly puzzled and amused.

Earlier today, Warner Bros. Discovery announced they would be undoing the rebrand from Max to HBO Max, a decision set to take effect this summer. This news came as a shock not only to fans but also to some of the biggest names at DC Studios. The official X account of the soon-to-be-renamed Max captured the candid reactions of Gunn and Cena while they were recording promotional material for the upcoming season of Peacemaker, set to premiere on August 21.

In the footage, Gunn can be seen reacting in real-time as he reads from a teleprompter mentioning HBO Max. His initial confusion quickly turns into a humorous exchange when he learns that the name change is indeed happening and will be officially announced at the Upfront. "God, we’re calling it HBO Max – what?" Gunn quips. "We’re calling it HBO Max again?" The moment is further punctuated by comments from other crew members, including DC Studios Co-CEO Peter Safran, adding to the light-hearted confusion.

John Cena, on the other hand, appears to be well-informed about the rebrand. In his video, he's seen breaking the news to some of the crew behind the camera, adding another layer of humor to the situation. Whether this is a genuine reaction or an orchestrated publicity stunt by the HBO Max team, the footage has certainly provided entertainment and laughter.

That's good actually. pic.twitter.com/b3WNWOsyT2

— Max (@StreamOnMax) May 14, 2025

POV: finding out about the rebrand from @JohnCena pic.twitter.com/eyQxhTcJrs

— Max (@StreamOnMax) May 14, 2025

HBO Max initially launched in 2020 as a comprehensive streaming platform. The service maintained its name until 2023 when Warner Bros. Discovery, after their merger, decided to rebrand it to simply Max. Now, after two years of adjusting to the new moniker, the company has reversed its decision, opting to return to the HBO Max name.

While an exact date for the rebrand has yet to be announced, fans can stay updated on both the streaming service changes and the eagerly anticipated Peacemaker Season 2. In the meantime, you can explore other notable DC projects scheduled for 2025 and delve into the latest trailer highlights for Peacemaker Season 2.