James Gunn Cut a Major Story Arc for Clemson Murn from the New Season
The actor's tough soldier of fortune Clemson Murn met his end in Peacemaker season 1, but showrunner James Gunn had previously hinted that he might bring Iwuji back to play another character in the DC Universe. During a recent episode of the series' companion podcast, Gunn revealed that Murn could even return to Peacemaker, mentioning a plot with major consequences for the show's future.
[Editor's Note: Spoilers ahead for Peacemaker season 2, episode 7, "The Keith Episode."]
When anti-hero Chris Smith (John Cena) and his friends visit Earth-X in Peacemaker season 2, they encounter alternate versions of several people from their home reality. Rick Flagg, Jr. (Joel Kinnaman) clumsily stumbles overturning trash cans. Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) prefers books and skirts to fighting and trousers. And Vigilante (Freddie Stroma) battles for the downtrodden as a member of the Sons of Liberty, rather than simply killing drug dealers and small-time lawbreakers.
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 most terrible individual he could find, the butterfly still regretted the decision to take over his body, because he believed Murn was able to reform.
Gunn explained he aimed to showcase that difference by writing a storyline where Murn was likewise a part of the Sons of Liberty in Earth-2.
"He served as a champion. Whereas 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 kick-ass Harriet Tubman," Gunn said. "A complete action hero."
Gunn eventually cut that storyline 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 didn't blow it up. This still exists."
Even if the Peacemaker crew aren't rushing to go back to the world where the Nazis won World War II, Gunn's promise that it's still there means they might deal with repercussions for how they wrecked its version of the Smith family. Harcourt attempted to murder the revenge-seeking and badly hurt Keith Smith (David Denman) before heading home, but had to escape through the gateway when the authorities showed up. Auggie referenced some sort of major scheme involving the dimensional portal before he was killed, and Keith might try to finish whatever that was. He'd certainly try to avenge his father and brother while he's at it.
Peacemaker season 2 is streaming on the streaming platform.
