The Director Cut a Significant Story Arc for Chukwudi Iwuji's Character from Peacemaker Season 2
Chukwudi Iwuji's no-nonsense mercenary Clemson Murn was killed off in the show's first season, but creator James Gunn had previously hinted that he might bring Iwuji back to play another character in the DCU. In the latest episode of Peacemaker: The Official Podcast, Gunn disclosed that Murn himself even make a comeback, referencing a storyline with major consequences for the show's future.
[Editor's Note: Plot details follow for Peacemaker season 2, episode 7, "Like a Keith in the Night."]
When anti-hero Chris Smith (John Cena) and his allies visit Earth-X in the new season, they encounter alternate versions of several people from their own world. Rick Flagg, Jr. (Joel Kinnaman) bumbles around overturning trash cans. Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) favors books and skirts to fighting and trousers. And Vigilante (Freddie Stroma) battles for the oppressed as a member of the Sons of Liberty, rather than just murdering 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. Although 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 demonstrate that contrast by writing a plot where Murn was likewise a member of the Sons of Liberty in the alternate world.
"He served as a champion. While Murn on our planet was the most despicable man in the world before he was possessed, Murn on their planet was this kind of kick-ass Harriet Tubman," Gunn stated. "A complete action hero."
Gunn ultimately removed that plotline from the second season, but he said he's not completely abandoning on it.
"There's still the future," he said. "Earth-2 still exists. We didn't blow it up. This is still there."
Although the Peacemaker crew aren't in any hurry to go back to the reality where the Nazis won World War II, Gunn's promise that it's still there means they might deal with repercussions for how they wrecked its incarnation of the Smith family. Harcourt attempted to murder the revenge-seeking and badly hurt Keith Smith (David Denman) before returning to her world, but had to flee through the portal when the police arrived. Auggie hinted at some sort of major scheme involving the interdimensional gate before he was killed, and Keith might try to finish whatever that was. He'd also assuredly try to get revenge for his family members while he's at it.
Peacemaker season 2 is available on HBO Max.
