The Director Removed a Significant Plotline for Clemson Murn from Peacemaker Season 2
Chukwudi Iwuji's no-nonsense mercenary Clemson Murn met his end in Peacemaker season 1, but showrunner James Gunn had earlier teased that he might recast the actor to portray a different role in the DCU. In the latest episode of the series' companion podcast, Gunn disclosed that Murn could even make a comeback, mentioning a plot with big implications for the series going forward.
[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 visit Earth-X in Peacemaker season 2, they meet very different versions of familiar faces 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) battles for the oppressed as a part of the Sons of Liberty, rather than simply killing drug dealers and small-time lawbreakers.
The Murn in Chris Smith's home dimension was taken over 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 take over his body, because he thought Murn was able to reform.
Gunn explained he aimed to demonstrate that difference by creating a plot where Murn was also a part of the Sons of Liberty in the alternate world.
"He was a hero. While 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 said. "A complete action hero."
Gunn ultimately removed that storyline from the second season, but he noted he's not fully giving up on it.
"There's still the future," he commented. "There's still an Earth-2. We left it intact. This still exists."
Although the Peacemaker crew aren't rushing to return to the reality where the Axis powers triumphed in World War II, Gunn's promise that it's remaining means they might deal with repercussions for how they wrecked its incarnation of the Smith family. Harcourt tried to kill the vengeful and seriously injured Keith Smith (David Denman) before returning to her world, but had to flee through the gateway when the police arrived. Auggie referenced some kind of big plan involving the interdimensional gate before he died, and Keith might attempt to complete that plan. He'd also assuredly try to get revenge for his family members while he's at it.
Peacemaker the new season is streaming on HBO Max.