James Gunn Cut a Major Plotline for Clemson Murn from the New Season
Chukwudi Iwuji's tough mercenary Clemson Murn was killed off in the show's first season, but creator James Gunn had previously hinted that he might recast the actor to portray a different role in the DC Universe. During a recent episode of the series' companion podcast, Gunn disclosed that Murn could even return to Peacemaker, mentioning a plot with big implications for the series going forward.
[Editor's Note: Plot details follow for Peacemaker season 2, episode 7, "The Keith Episode."]
When anti-hero Chris Smith (John Cena) and his allies travel to Earth-2 in Peacemaker season 2, they encounter very different versions of several people from their own world. Rick Flagg, Jr. (Joel Kinnaman) bumbles around knocking over trash cans. Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) favors books and skirts to pants and brawling. And Vigilante (Freddie Stroma) fights to free the downtrodden as a part of the Sons of Liberty, rather than just murdering drug dealers and petty criminals.
The Murn in Chris Smith's original world was possessed by the extraterrestrial insect 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 believed Murn was capable of change.
Gunn said he wanted to showcase that difference by creating a plot where Murn was likewise a part of the Sons of Liberty in Earth-2.
"He was a hero. While 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 kick-ass Harriet Tubman," Gunn stated. "A complete action hero."
Gunn ultimately removed that storyline from season 2, but he said he's not completely abandoning on it.
"The future remains," he said. "There's still an Earth-2. We didn't blow it up. This is still there."
Even if the team aren't in any hurry to return to the world where the Axis powers triumphed in World War II, Gunn's promise that it's remaining means they might face consequences for how they wrecked 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 gateway when the authorities showed up. Auggie hinted at some kind of major scheme involving the interdimensional gate before he was killed, and Keith might attempt to complete that plan. 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.
