The Director Removed a Major Plotline for Chukwudi Iwuji's Character from the New Season
Chukwudi Iwuji's no-nonsense soldier of fortune Clemson Murn was killed off in Peacemaker season 1, but creator James Gunn had earlier teased that he might recast the actor to portray a different role in the DC Universe. In the latest episode of Peacemaker: The Official Podcast, Gunn revealed that Murn himself even make a comeback, referencing a plot with major consequences for the show's future.
[Editor's Note: Plot details follow for the latest episode, "The Keith Episode."]
When reluctant hero Chris Smith (John Cena) and his allies travel to Earth-2 in the new season, they encounter very different versions of several people from their home reality. Rick Flagg, Jr. (Joel Kinnaman) clumsily stumbles overturning trash cans. Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) favors books and skirts to pants and brawling. And Vigilante (Freddie Stroma) fights to free the downtrodden as a member of the Sons of Liberty, rather than simply killing drug dealers and petty criminals.
Clemson Murn in Chris Smith's home dimension was taken over by the extraterrestrial insect Ik Nobe Llok, who didn't want to harm any humans. Even though Murn was the worst person he could find, the butterfly still regretted the decision to take over his body, because he thought Murn was capable of change.
Gunn explained he aimed to showcase that difference by writing a storyline where Murn was likewise a member of the Sons of Liberty in Earth-2.
"He was a hero. While Murn on our planet was the most despicable man in the world before he became a butterfly, Murn on their planet was this sort of incredible Harriet Tubman," Gunn stated. "A complete action hero."
Gunn eventually cut that plotline from season 2, but he noted he's not completely abandoning on it.
"There's still the future," he said. "Earth-2 still exists. We left it intact. This is still there."
Although the team aren't in any hurry to go back to the world where the Axis powers triumphed in World War II, Gunn's assurance that it's remaining means they might deal with repercussions for how they wrecked its version of the Smith family. Harcourt tried to kill the revenge-seeking and badly hurt Keith Smith (David Denman) before heading home, but had to flee through the portal when the police arrived. Auggie referenced some sort of major scheme involving the dimensional portal before he died, and Keith might attempt to complete that plan. He'd also assuredly try to get revenge for his father and brother in the process.
Peacemaker season 2 is streaming on HBO Max.
