James Gunn Removed a Significant Story Arc for Clemson Murn from Peacemaker Season 2
Chukwudi Iwuji's no-nonsense 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 DCU. In the latest episode of the series' companion podcast, Gunn disclosed that Murn himself even make a comeback, mentioning 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 allies travel to Earth-2 in the new season, they encounter very different versions of several people from their home reality. Rick Flagg, Jr. (Joel Kinnaman) clumsily stumbles 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 original world was taken over by the alien butterfly Ik Nobe Llok, who had no desire to hurt people. Even though Murn was the most terrible individual he could find, the butterfly still regretted the decision to inhabit his form, because he thought Murn was able to reform.
Gunn explained he aimed to showcase that difference by creating a plot where Murn was also a part of the Sons of Liberty in Earth-2.
"He was a hero. Whereas Murn on our planet was the most despicable man in the world before he became a butterfly, Murn on their planet was this sort of incredible Harriet Tubman," Gunn said. "A complete action hero."
Gunn ultimately removed that storyline from season 2, 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 Peacemaker crew aren't in any hurry to return 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 destroyed its incarnation 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 police arrived. Auggie hinted at some kind of big plan involving the dimensional portal before he died, and Keith might try to finish whatever that was. He'd also assuredly try to get revenge for his family members in the process.
Peacemaker season 2 is available on HBO Max.
