The Director Cut 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 the show's first season, but creator James Gunn had previously hinted that he might recast the actor to portray a different role in the DCU. In the latest episode of the series' companion podcast, Gunn disclosed that Murn himself even return to Peacemaker, referencing a storyline with big implications for the series going forward.
[Editor's Note: Spoilers ahead for Peacemaker season 2, episode 7, "The Keith Episode."]
When reluctant hero Chris Smith (John Cena) and his allies visit Earth-X in the new season, they meet alternate versions of several people from their own world. Rick Flagg, Jr. (Joel Kinnaman) bumbles around knocking over 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 member of the Sons of Liberty, rather than simply killing drug dealers and small-time lawbreakers.
The Murn in Chris Smith's original world was possessed by the alien butterfly Ik Nobe Llok, who had no desire to harm any humans. Although Murn was the worst person he could find, the butterfly still regretted the decision to take over his body, because he thought Murn was able to reform.
Gunn said he wanted to showcase that difference by writing a plot where Murn was likewise a part of the Sons of Liberty in Earth-2.
"He served as a champion. While Murn on our planet was the worst guy in the world before he was possessed, Murn on their planet was this sort of kick-ass Harriet Tubman," Gunn stated. "A complete action hero."
Gunn ultimately removed that plotline from season 2, but he noted he's not completely abandoning on it.
"There's still the future," he commented. "Earth-2 still exists. We left it intact. This still exists."
Although the Peacemaker crew aren't in any hurry to return to the reality where the Nazis won World War II, Gunn's promise that it's remaining means they might deal with repercussions for how they destroyed 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 escape through the gateway when the police arrived. Auggie hinted at some kind of major scheme involving the interdimensional gate before he was killed, and Keith might try to finish whatever that was. He'd also assuredly try to avenge his father and brother in the process.
Peacemaker season 2 is available on HBO Max.
