The Director Removed a Major Plotline for Clemson Murn from the New Season
The actor's no-nonsense mercenary Clemson Murn was killed off in Peacemaker season 1, but creator James Gunn had earlier teased that he might bring Iwuji back to play another character in the DC Universe. During a recent episode of the series' companion podcast, Gunn revealed that Murn himself even make a comeback, referencing a storyline with big implications for the series going forward.
[Editor's Note: Plot details follow for the latest episode, "The Keith Episode."]
When reluctant hero Chris Smith (John Cena) and his friends visit Earth-2 in Peacemaker season 2, they encounter very different versions of several people from their home reality. Rick Flagg, Jr. (Joel Kinnaman) bumbles around overturning trash cans. Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) prefers 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 harm any humans. 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 said he wanted to demonstrate that contrast by creating a storyline 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 worst guy in the world before he was possessed, Murn on their planet was this kind of kick-ass Harriet Tubman," Gunn said. "A complete action hero."
Gunn eventually cut that storyline from the second season, but he said he's not fully giving up on it.
"There's still the future," he commented. "Earth-2 still exists. 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 Nazis won World War II, Gunn's assurance that it's remaining means they might face consequences for how they wrecked its version of the Smith family. Harcourt tried to kill the vengeful and badly hurt Keith Smith (David Denman) before heading home, but had to escape through the portal when the police arrived. Auggie hinted at some kind of big plan involving the interdimensional gate before he was killed, and Keith might try to finish whatever that was. He'd also assuredly try to avenge his family members while he's at it.
Peacemaker the new season is available on the streaming platform.
