The Director Removed a Major Story Arc for Chukwudi Iwuji's Character from the New Season
Chukwudi Iwuji's tough mercenary Clemson Murn was killed off in Peacemaker season 1, but showrunner James Gunn had previously hinted that he might bring Iwuji back to portray a different role in the DCU. In the latest episode of Peacemaker: The Official Podcast, Gunn revealed that Murn himself even make a comeback, referencing a plot with big implications for the show's future.
[Editor's Note: Spoilers ahead for Peacemaker season 2, episode 7, "Like a Keith in the Night."]
When reluctant hero Chris Smith (John Cena) and his friends visit Earth-2 in Peacemaker season 2, they encounter very different versions of familiar faces from their home reality. Rick Flagg, Jr. (Joel Kinnaman) clumsily stumbles knocking over trash cans. Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) prefers books and skirts to pants and brawling. And Vigilante (Freddie Stroma) fights to free the oppressed as a part 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 believed Murn was capable of change.
Gunn said he wanted to demonstrate that contrast by creating a plot where Murn was likewise a member of the Sons of Liberty in Earth-2.
"He served as a champion. While Murn on our planet was the most despicable man in the world before he became a butterfly, Murn on their planet was this kind of kick-ass Harriet Tubman," Gunn said. "A complete action hero."
Gunn eventually cut that storyline from season 2, but he noted he's not completely abandoning on it.
"The future remains," he said. "There's still an Earth-2. We left it intact. This is still there."
Even if the Peacemaker crew aren't in any hurry to go back to the world where the Nazis won 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 tried to kill 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 dimensional portal before he was killed, and Keith might try to finish that plan. He'd certainly try to avenge his family members in the process.
Peacemaker the new season is streaming on HBO Max.
