DC Studios Leaders React to HBO Max Name Revival

DC Studios Co-CEO James Gunn and Peacemaker team members were stunned to learn Warner Bros. Discovery is reinstating the HBO Max name during a promotional shoot for Season 2, with their reactions captured hilariously on camera.

Jaws dropped when HBO’s parent company announced today it would restore its streaming service’s original HBO Max branding this summer, abandoning the Max name. The decision has left even DC’s top talents puzzled.

The soon-to-be-rebranded Max’s official X account posted clips of Gunn and Peacemaker star John Cena reacting to the news shortly after the announcement. The duo was filming a promo for Peacemaker Season 2, set to premiere August 21, reading from a teleprompter.

While directing viewers on where to watch, Gunn pauses, visibly confused, when the script references HBO Max instead of Max. He’s told it’s no error and the change will be revealed at the Upfront.

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

— Max (@StreamOnMax) May 14, 2025

“Wait, we’re back to HBO Max?” Gunn quips, chuckling. “What’s going on?”

Other crew members, including DC Studios Co-CEO Peter Safran, join the bewildered banter. It’s a chaotic yet amusing moment, with Gunn noting, “I like it, but I had no clue this was coming.”

Cena, on the other hand, seems in on the news. His clip shows him informing the crew about Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming service name switch, catching them off guard.

This could all be a clever marketing ploy by the HBO Max team. Regardless, watching DC Studios’ key figures react to the rebrand is pure entertainment.

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

— Max (@StreamOnMax) May 14, 2025

HBO Max first launched in 2020 as a streaming hub for diverse content. Its name held until 2023, when the newly merged Warner Bros. Discovery opted to rebrand it as Max. After two years of adjusting to the shorter name, the company now believes HBO Max better suits its platform.

No firm date for the rebrand has been shared. While awaiting updates on HBO Max and Peacemaker Season 2, explore the top DC projects slated for 2025 or dive into key highlights from Peacemaker Season 2’s latest trailer.