The Director Removed a Major Plotline for Clemson Murn from the New Season
Chukwudi Iwuji's tough soldier of fortune Clemson Murn was killed off in Peacemaker season 1, but creator James Gunn had earlier teased that he might bring Iwuji back to portray a different role in the DCU. In the latest episode of the series' companion podcast, Gunn disclosed that Murn could even return to Peacemaker, referencing a storyline 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 friends visit Earth-X in the new season, they meet alternate versions of familiar faces from their own world. Rick Flagg, Jr. (Joel Kinnaman) bumbles around overturning trash cans. Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) prefers books and skirts to fighting and trousers. And Vigilante (Freddie Stroma) fights to free the downtrodden as a part of the Sons of Liberty, rather than just murdering drug dealers and petty criminals.
The Murn in Chris Smith's original world was possessed by the alien butterfly Ik Nobe Llok, who had no desire to hurt people. Although Murn was the worst person he could find, the butterfly still felt remorse to inhabit his form, because he believed Murn was capable of change.
Gunn said he wanted to showcase that difference by creating a plot where Murn was also a part of the Sons of Liberty in Earth-2.
"He served as a champion. Whereas Murn on our planet was the worst guy in the world before he was possessed, Murn on their planet was this kind of incredible Harriet Tubman," Gunn said. "Like a total action hero."
Gunn eventually cut that storyline from the second season, but he noted he's not completely abandoning on it.
"There's still the future," he said. "There's still an Earth-2. We didn't blow it up. This still exists."
Even if the Peacemaker crew aren't rushing to return 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 returning to her world, but had to flee through the gateway when the authorities showed up. Auggie referenced some sort of big plan involving the dimensional portal before he was killed, and Keith might try to finish whatever that was. He'd certainly try to avenge his family members in the process.
Peacemaker season 2 is streaming on the streaming platform.
