The Director Removed a Significant Plotline for Chukwudi Iwuji's Character from the New Season
The actor's no-nonsense mercenary Clemson Murn was killed off in Peacemaker season 1, but showrunner James Gunn had previously hinted that he might bring Iwuji back to play another character in the DCU. During a recent episode of Peacemaker: The Official Podcast, Gunn revealed that Murn could even return to Peacemaker, mentioning a plot with major consequences for the series going forward.
[Editor's Note: Spoilers ahead for Peacemaker season 2, episode 7, "Like a Keith in the Night."]
When reluctant hero Chris Smith (John Cena) and his allies travel to Earth-X in Peacemaker season 2, they encounter alternate 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) fights to free the downtrodden as a member 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 hurt people. Although Murn was the worst person he could find, the butterfly still felt remorse to inhabit his form, because he believed Murn was capable of change.
Gunn explained he aimed to demonstrate that difference by creating a storyline where Murn was also 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 kick-ass Harriet Tubman," Gunn stated. "Like a total action hero."
Gunn ultimately removed that storyline from season 2, but he said he's not fully giving up on it.
"The future remains," he commented. "There's still an Earth-2. We didn't blow it up. This still exists."
Although the team aren't rushing to go back to the world 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 heading home, but had to escape through the portal when the authorities showed up. Auggie hinted at some sort of major scheme involving the dimensional portal before he was killed, and Keith might attempt to complete whatever that was. He'd certainly try to get revenge for his father and brother in the process.
Peacemaker the new season is available on the streaming platform.
