The Director Removed a Significant Story Arc for Chukwudi Iwuji's Character from the New Season
Chukwudi Iwuji's tough soldier of fortune Clemson Murn was killed off in Peacemaker season 1, but creator James Gunn had earlier teased that he might bring Iwuji back to portray a different role in the DC Universe. In the latest episode of Peacemaker: The Official Podcast, Gunn revealed that Murn could even make a comeback, mentioning a plot with big implications for the series going forward.
[Editor's Note: Spoilers ahead for the latest episode, "Like a Keith in the Night."]
When anti-hero Chris Smith (John Cena) and his allies travel to Earth-2 in the new season, they meet alternate versions of familiar faces from their own world. Rick Flagg, Jr. (Joel Kinnaman) bumbles around overturning trash cans. Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) favors books and skirts to fighting and trousers. And Vigilante (Freddie Stroma) battles for the downtrodden as a member of the Sons of Liberty, rather than simply killing drug dealers and small-time lawbreakers.
Clemson Murn in Chris Smith's home dimension was taken over by the alien butterfly Ik Nobe Llok, who had no desire to hurt people. Although Murn was the most terrible individual he could find, the butterfly still felt remorse to inhabit his form, because he believed Murn was able to reform.
Gunn explained he aimed to showcase that contrast by writing a plot where Murn was likewise a member 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 was possessed, Murn on their planet was this kind of incredible Harriet Tubman," Gunn said. "A complete action hero."
Gunn eventually cut that plotline from the second season, but he noted he's not completely abandoning on it.
"The future remains," he commented. "There's still an Earth-2. We didn't blow it up. This still exists."
Even if the Peacemaker crew aren't in any hurry to go back to the world where the Axis powers triumphed in World War II, Gunn's promise that it's remaining means they might deal with repercussions for how they destroyed its incarnation of the Smith family. Harcourt attempted to murder the revenge-seeking and badly hurt Keith Smith (David Denman) before heading home, but had to flee through the gateway when the authorities showed up. Auggie referenced some sort of big plan involving the interdimensional gate before he died, and Keith might try to finish whatever that was. He'd also assuredly try to get revenge for his father and brother in the process.
Peacemaker season 2 is available on the streaming platform.