James Gunn Cut a Major Story Arc for Chukwudi Iwuji's Character from the New Season
The actor's tough soldier of fortune Clemson Murn met his end in Peacemaker season 1, but showrunner James Gunn had previously hinted that he might bring Iwuji back to portray a different role in the DCU. During a recent episode of the series' companion podcast, Gunn revealed that Murn could even return to Peacemaker, mentioning a plot with major consequences for the show's future.
[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 alternate versions of several people from their own world. Rick Flagg, Jr. (Joel Kinnaman) clumsily stumbles overturning trash cans. Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) favors books and skirts to fighting and trousers. 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.
The Murn in Chris Smith's original world was possessed by the extraterrestrial insect Ik Nobe Llok, who had no desire to harm any humans. Even though Murn was the worst person he could find, the butterfly still regretted the decision to take over his body, because he thought Murn was able to reform.
Gunn said he wanted to showcase that contrast 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 most despicable man 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 eventually cut that storyline from the second season, but he said he's not fully giving up on it.
"The future remains," he said. "Earth-2 still exists. We didn't blow it up. This is still there."
Although the team aren't rushing to go back to the reality where the Nazis won 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 attempted to murder the revenge-seeking and seriously injured Keith Smith (David Denman) before returning to her world, but had to escape through the portal when the authorities showed up. Auggie hinted at some kind of major scheme involving the interdimensional gate before he was killed, and Keith might try to finish that plan. He'd certainly try to get revenge for his father and brother while he's at it.
Peacemaker season 2 is available on the streaming platform.
