James Gunn Cut a Major Story Arc for Chukwudi Iwuji's Character from the New Season
The actor's no-nonsense mercenary Clemson Murn was killed off 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. In the latest episode of the series' companion podcast, Gunn disclosed that Murn could even make a comeback, referencing a storyline with major consequences for the series going forward.
[Editor's Note: Plot details follow for the latest episode, "The Keith Episode."]
When anti-hero Chris Smith (John Cena) and his friends travel to Earth-X in the new season, they meet very different versions of familiar faces from their home reality. Rick Flagg, Jr. (Joel Kinnaman) clumsily stumbles overturning trash cans. Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) favors books and skirts to fighting and trousers. And Vigilante (Freddie Stroma) battles for the downtrodden as a part of the Sons of Liberty, rather than just murdering drug dealers and small-time lawbreakers.
Clemson Murn in Chris Smith's original world was taken over by the extraterrestrial insect Ik Nobe Llok, who had no desire to harm any humans. Although Murn was the most terrible individual he could find, the butterfly still regretted the decision to inhabit his form, because he believed Murn was capable of change.
Gunn explained he aimed to demonstrate that contrast by writing a storyline where Murn was also a part of the Sons of Liberty in the alternate world.
"He was a hero. While Murn on our planet was the most despicable man in the world before he was possessed, Murn on their planet was this kind of incredible Harriet Tubman," Gunn stated. "A complete action hero."
Gunn ultimately removed that storyline from the second season, but he noted he's not fully giving up on it.
"There's still the future," he said. "Earth-2 still exists. We left it intact. This still exists."
Even if the Peacemaker crew aren't in any hurry to go back to the reality where the Nazis won World War II, Gunn's assurance that it's remaining means they might deal with repercussions for how they destroyed its version of the Smith family. Harcourt attempted to murder the vengeful and seriously injured Keith Smith (David Denman) before heading home, but had to escape through the gateway when the police arrived. Auggie referenced some sort of big plan involving the dimensional portal before he was killed, and Keith might attempt to complete whatever that was. He'd also assuredly try to avenge his family members in the process.
Peacemaker season 2 is available on HBO Max.
