The Director Removed a Major Plotline for Clemson Murn from Peacemaker Season 2
Chukwudi Iwuji's no-nonsense mercenary Clemson Murn was killed off in Peacemaker season 1, but showrunner 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 disclosed that Murn himself even return to Peacemaker, mentioning a storyline with major consequences for the series going forward.
[Editor's Note: Plot details follow for Peacemaker season 2, episode 7, "Like a Keith in the Night."]
When reluctant hero Chris Smith (John Cena) and his allies visit Earth-2 in Peacemaker season 2, they encounter alternate versions of familiar faces from their home reality. Rick Flagg, Jr. (Joel Kinnaman) bumbles around 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 petty criminals.
Clemson Murn in Chris Smith's original world was possessed by the extraterrestrial insect 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 inhabit his form, because he believed Murn was able to reform.
Gunn said he wanted to showcase that contrast by writing a plot where Murn was likewise a part of the Sons of Liberty in the alternate world.
"He was a hero. 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 eventually cut that plotline from the second season, but he noted he's not fully giving up on it.
"There's still the future," he said. "There's still an Earth-2. We left it intact. This still exists."
Even if the Peacemaker crew aren't in any hurry to go back to the reality where the Nazis won World War II, Gunn's assurance that it's remaining means they might deal with repercussions for how they wrecked its incarnation of the Smith family. Harcourt attempted to murder the vengeful and seriously injured Keith Smith (David Denman) before returning to her world, but had to escape through the portal when the authorities showed up. Auggie referenced some sort of big plan involving the interdimensional gate before he was killed, and Keith might try to finish that plan. He'd certainly try to get revenge for his father and brother while he's at it.
Peacemaker the new season is available on HBO Max.
