Why James Gunn Calls Peacemaker’s White Dragon His Most Evil Villain Yet

Who is James Gunn’s most evil villain?

James Gunn, the creator behind both Marvel and DC hits, recently revealed which of his many villains stands out as the most evil — and it’s not who most fans expected. From the High Evolutionary’s cruelty in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 to Lex Luthor’s genius in Superman, Gunn has created a long line of memorable antagonists. Yet, he says none of them compare to Peacemaker’s Auggie Smith, also known as the White Dragon.

During a recent Peacemaker Season 2 watch-along, Gunn described Auggie as the “biggest piece of trash [he’s] ever written.” The comment surprised many, considering how dark some of his other villains have been. But White Dragon, played by Robert Patrick, earned that title through the horrifying realism of his actions and beliefs.

What makes White Dragon so disturbing?

Unlike cosmic tyrants or alien conquerors, Auggie Smith is terrifying because he represents real-world evil. In Peacemaker Season 1, he led a racist cult modeled after the Ku Klux Klan, physically and emotionally abused his son Chris, and forced his children into brutal fights that ended in tragedy. He wasn’t a monster from space — he was a human being driven by hatred.

Fans instantly despised him, not just for his violence but for how plausible his worldview felt. As Gunn noted, villains like the High Evolutionary or Ronan may be larger than life, but White Dragon’s cruelty hits closer to home. It’s the kind of evil that exists outside the screen, and that’s what makes him unforgettable.

Why does this matter for the future of the DC Universe?

As Gunn continues shaping his rebooted DC Universe, Peacemaker remains one of his most emotionally charged stories. The lingering trauma of Auggie’s abuse continues to haunt John Cena’s character in Season 2, proving that even after a villain dies, their shadow can define a hero’s journey.

Gunn’s choice of White Dragon as his darkest creation shows a clear shift in superhero storytelling — one where the most chilling villains are not those with superpowers, but those with hate in their hearts.