James Gunn Cut a Significant Story Arc for Clemson Murn from Peacemaker Season 2
The actor's tough mercenary Clemson Murn was killed off in the show's first season, but showrunner James Gunn had earlier teased that he might bring Iwuji back to play another character in the DCU. During a recent episode of Peacemaker: The Official Podcast, Gunn revealed that Murn could even make a comeback, referencing a storyline with major consequences for the show's future.
[Editor's Note: Plot details follow for the latest episode, "Like a Keith in the Night."]
When anti-hero Chris Smith (John Cena) and his friends visit Earth-X in Peacemaker season 2, they meet very different versions of familiar faces from their own world. Rick Flagg, Jr. (Joel Kinnaman) clumsily stumbles knocking over trash cans. Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) favors books and skirts to pants and brawling. And Vigilante (Freddie Stroma) battles for the downtrodden as a member of the Sons of Liberty, rather than simply killing drug dealers and petty criminals.
Clemson Murn in Chris Smith's original world was taken over by the alien butterfly Ik Nobe Llok, who didn't want to harm any humans. Even though Murn was the most terrible individual he could find, the butterfly still felt remorse to take over his body, because he thought Murn was capable of change.
Gunn said he wanted to showcase that contrast by creating a storyline where Murn was likewise a part of the Sons of Liberty in the alternate world.
"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 stated. "A complete action hero."
Gunn ultimately removed that storyline from the second season, but he said he's not completely abandoning on it.
"There's still the future," 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 reality where the Nazis won World War II, Gunn's assurance that it's remaining means they might face consequences 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 flee through the portal when the authorities showed up. Auggie referenced some sort of major scheme involving the interdimensional gate before he was killed, and Keith might try to finish that plan. He'd certainly try to avenge his father and brother while he's at it.
Peacemaker season 2 is available on HBO Max.
