A Last-Minute Change That Shocked Fans
The HBO Max hit series Peacemaker, created by James Gunn, became one of the most talked-about superhero shows in recent years. While John Cena’s role as Christopher Smith, aka Peacemaker, drove much of the hype, another character unexpectedly stole the spotlight—Adrian Chase, better known as Vigilante. But what many fans didn’t know at first was that this was not how things were originally planned.
The Freddie Stroma Vigilante recasting happened after several episodes had already been shot with actor Chris Conrad. Creative differences between Conrad and the production team led to a sudden decision to recast the role. Gunn admitted it was a tough call, saying he lost sleep over whether the change would work. In the end, however, it proved to be a turning point for the series.
How Freddie Stroma Became Vigilante
Freddie Stroma, best known for his roles in Bridgerton and Harry Potter, was brought in to take over as Vigilante. Despite joining the project late, Stroma had to reshoot scenes that had already been filmed, essentially restarting the character’s journey from scratch.
“It was scary,” Stroma admitted in interviews. “I came into a cast that was already bonding, and I had to pick up where someone else left off. But John Cena and everyone else made it easy for me.”
The warm welcome from the cast allowed Stroma to fully immerse himself in the chaotic, unpredictable world of Vigilante. Fans quickly embraced him, praising the mix of innocence, awkward humor, and unsettling violence he brought to the role.
Passing James Gunn’s “A**hole Test”
James Gunn has been open about how much trust he places in his actors. When considering Stroma for the last-minute casting, he famously ran what he calls the “a**hole test.” He reached out to actress Elizabeth Banks, who had previously worked with Stroma, to confirm he was not difficult to work with.
Banks gave glowing feedback, and Stroma soon found himself stepping into the vigilante costume. Gunn later said he couldn’t imagine anyone else in the role, describing Stroma as the perfect blend of goofy and terrifying—exactly what Vigilante needed.
Fooling John Cena with an Accent
One of the more amusing behind-the-scenes stories came when Stroma shocked John Cena with his real voice. Stroma, who is British, stayed in character with an American accent throughout the shoot.
When filming wrapped, he finally dropped the accent and revealed his true voice. Cena, stunned, admitted he had no idea Stroma wasn’t American. “He just fell to the floor laughing,” Stroma recalled.
Freddie Stroma vs. John Cena: The Shirtless Moment
Another highlight for fans was seeing Stroma on set alongside John Cena, who is known for his massive WWE physique. While Stroma joked about being in good shape, he admitted that sharing a shirtless moment with Cena was daunting.
“He’s unbelievably big and shredded,” Stroma said. “Even the other cast members who are in shape look small next to him. I just accepted I wasn’t going to compete with that.”
This humility only endeared him more to fans, as his grounded personality mirrored the quirky, oddly loveable Vigilante he played on screen.
Why the Freddie Stroma Vigilante Recasting Worked
Recasting is always risky, especially after production has already started. But in this case, it became one of the best decisions the show made. Freddie Stroma’s portrayal gave Vigilante a unique identity that balanced violence with childlike sincerity.
His Vigilante isn’t just a sidekick to Cena’s Peacemaker—he’s a character who sometimes steals entire scenes with his unpredictable nature. Critics and fans praised Stroma’s performance, with many calling Vigilante one of the best parts of the series.
Social media buzz confirmed this, as memes, GIFs, and fan edits of Vigilante quickly spread across platforms. What began as a risky recast ended up turning into a breakout role for Stroma.
The Road Ahead for Vigilante
With James Gunn now co-leading DC Studios, fans are speculating whether Vigilante will return in future projects. Given the positive reception to Stroma’s performance, it seems likely. Stroma himself has expressed interest in reprising the role, saying it was one of the most fun characters he has ever played.
“I’d love to come back,” he said. “It’s rare to get a character who is so funny, dangerous, and yet kind of innocent at the same time. Vigilante is a dream role.”
Final Thoughts
The Freddie Stroma Vigilante recasting in Peacemaker is a rare Hollywood story where a sudden behind-the-scenes change ended up improving the final product. Stroma brought depth, humor, and charm to Vigilante, turning him into a fan favorite almost overnight.
From fooling John Cena with his accent to joking about shirtless comparisons, Stroma’s journey on the show feels like the perfect example of the right actor finding the right role at the right time.
For James Gunn, it was a gamble that paid off. For fans, it was a gift—a character they’ll never forget, and hopefully one they’ll see again in the DC Universe’s future.
