Fortnite Pulls Peacemaker Emote Over Storyline Controversy

Last Updated: October 29, 2025

In a swift and unprecedented move, Epic Games has vaulted a popular Fortnite emote tied to WWE superstar John Cena’s portrayal of Peacemaker. The emote, "Peaceful Hips," has been disabled and removed from all player lockers due to a deeply controversial storyline development in the DC series that links the character to extremist ideologies, forcing the developer to protect its brand and community.

Players logging into Fortnite discovered the emote, which faithfully recreated the iconic dance from the opening credits of the hit DC show *Peacemaker*, was no longer available. The cosmetic has been completely disabled in-game and scrubbed from the Item Shop rotation. As a key part of the crossover collaboration with James Gunn’s celebrated series, the emote was a fan-favorite, allowing players to perform the awkward-yet-charming dance moves of the show's titular anti-hero.

Epic's Decisive Action

While Epic Games has yet to issue a formal, widespread statement, this kind of decisive action is typically reserved for game-breaking bugs or, in this case, severe real-world controversies. The removal appears to be a direct response to the source material's evolving narrative.

The Peacemaker Controversy

The controversy stems from a significant and shocking plot twist within the *Peacemaker* series. Recent storyline developments have revealed an unexpected and disturbing connection between the character and Nazi ideologies. Although the emote itself is merely a dance, its direct association with a character now tainted by such a toxic and hateful ideology created an immediate brand-safety crisis for Fortnite, a game renowned for its massive and diverse global audience, which includes millions of young players.

Risks of Crossover Collaborations

This situation highlights the inherent risks of Fortnite's wildly successful collaboration model, which integrates pop culture icons into its universe. While these crossovers are a cornerstone of the game's appeal, this incident demonstrates how quickly in-game content can become problematic when tied to an ongoing story. A once-harmless dance suddenly carried a much darker subtext, and Epic's immediate action underscores its commitment to maintaining a safe and inclusive environment, even at the cost of removing content players had already purchased.

What Happens to Players Who Own the Emote?

For the many players who own the "Peaceful Hips" emote, the item is currently unusable. While Epic Games has not officially confirmed the next steps, past instances of vaulted cosmetics have typically resulted in a full V-Bucks refund for those who purchased the item. It is highly unlikely the emote will ever return, given the nature of the controversy that prompted its removal.

Looking Ahead

This event is poised to have a lasting impact on how Epic Games approaches future collaborations, especially those involving franchises with developing narratives. The vetting process for crossover content will undoubtedly become more stringent, with a greater focus on the potential for characters, symbols, and storylines to evolve in problematic ways. For now, the Fortnite community is left with a stark reminder of how closely virtual worlds are connected to the ever-changing narratives of the real one.