James Gunn Removed 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 earlier teased that he might bring Iwuji back to play another character in the DCU. In the latest episode of Peacemaker: The Official Podcast, Gunn disclosed that Murn could even return to Peacemaker, mentioning a storyline 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 travel to Earth-X in Peacemaker season 2, they meet alternate versions of familiar faces from their home reality. 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 oppressed as a part of the Sons of Liberty, rather than just murdering drug dealers and small-time lawbreakers.
Clemson Murn in Chris Smith's home dimension was possessed by the extraterrestrial insect Ik Nobe Llok, who had no desire to hurt people. Even though Murn was the worst person he could find, the butterfly still felt remorse to inhabit his form, because he thought Murn was capable of change.
Gunn said he wanted to showcase that contrast by creating a plot 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 worst guy 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 ultimately removed that plotline from season 2, but he noted he's not fully giving up on it.
"The future remains," he said. "Earth-2 still exists. We left it intact. This still exists."
Although the team aren't in any hurry to return to the world where the Axis powers triumphed in World War II, Gunn's promise that it's still there means they might deal with repercussions for how they destroyed its incarnation of the Smith family. Harcourt attempted to murder the revenge-seeking and seriously injured Keith Smith (David Denman) before returning to her world, but had to escape through the gateway when the authorities showed up. Auggie hinted at some sort of big plan involving the interdimensional gate before he died, and Keith might try to finish that plan. He'd also assuredly try to get revenge for his family members while he's at it.
Peacemaker the new season is available on the streaming platform.
