The Director Cut a Major Plotline for Chukwudi Iwuji's Character from the New Season
Chukwudi Iwuji's tough soldier of fortune Clemson Murn met his end in Peacemaker season 1, but creator James Gunn had earlier teased that he might recast the actor to portray a different role in the DCU. During a recent episode of the series' companion podcast, Gunn disclosed that Murn could even make a comeback, mentioning a plot with major consequences for the series going forward.
[Editor's Note: Spoilers ahead for the latest episode, "The Keith Episode."]
When reluctant hero Chris Smith (John Cena) and his friends visit Earth-2 in the new season, they meet alternate 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) battles for the downtrodden as a part of the Sons of Liberty, rather than simply killing drug dealers and petty criminals.
Clemson Murn in Chris Smith's original world was possessed by the extraterrestrial insect Ik Nobe Llok, who had no desire to hurt people. Even though Murn was the most terrible individual he could find, the butterfly still regretted the decision to inhabit his form, because he believed Murn was able to reform.
Gunn said he wanted to showcase that contrast by creating a plot where Murn was also a part of the Sons of Liberty in the alternate world.
"He served as a champion. Whereas 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 eventually cut that plotline from the second season, 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."
Even if the Peacemaker crew aren't rushing to return to the reality where the Axis powers triumphed in World War II, Gunn's assurance that it's still there means they might face consequences for how they destroyed its incarnation of the Smith family. Harcourt tried to kill the vengeful and badly hurt Keith Smith (David Denman) before returning to her world, but had to flee through the gateway when the police arrived. Auggie referenced some sort of major scheme involving the dimensional portal before he died, 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 available on HBO Max.
