The Director Cut a Significant Story Arc for Chukwudi Iwuji's Character from the New Season
The actor's no-nonsense soldier of fortune 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 play another character in the DCU. During a recent episode of the series' companion podcast, Gunn revealed that Murn himself even return to Peacemaker, mentioning a plot with major consequences for the series going forward.
[Editor's Note: Plot details follow for Peacemaker season 2, episode 7, "The Keith Episode."]
When reluctant hero Chris Smith (John Cena) and his friends visit Earth-X in Peacemaker season 2, they encounter very different 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 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.
Clemson Murn in Chris Smith's home dimension was taken over by the alien butterfly Ik Nobe Llok, who didn't want to hurt people. Although Murn was the most terrible individual he could find, the butterfly still felt remorse to inhabit his form, because he thought Murn was able to reform.
Gunn said he wanted to demonstrate that contrast by writing a plot where Murn was also a member of the Sons of Liberty in the alternate world.
"He served as a champion. While Murn on our planet was the worst guy in the world before he was possessed, Murn on their planet was this kind of incredible Harriet Tubman," Gunn stated. "Like a total action hero."
Gunn eventually cut that storyline from the second season, but he noted he's not fully giving up on it.
"The future remains," he said. "There's still an Earth-2. We left it intact. This still exists."
Even if the team aren't in any hurry to go back to the world 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 badly hurt Keith Smith (David Denman) before heading home, but had to flee through the portal when the authorities showed up. Auggie hinted at some sort of big plan involving the dimensional portal before he was killed, and Keith might attempt to complete that plan. He'd certainly try to avenge his family members while he's at it.
Peacemaker season 2 is available on the streaming platform.
