James Gunn Removed a Significant Story Arc for Chukwudi Iwuji's Character from the New Season
Chukwudi Iwuji's no-nonsense soldier of fortune Clemson Murn met his end in Peacemaker season 1, but creator James Gunn had earlier teased that he might recast the actor to play another character in the DCU. In the latest episode of Peacemaker: The Official Podcast, Gunn disclosed that Murn could even make a comeback, referencing a storyline with big implications for the show's future.
[Editor's Note: Spoilers ahead for Peacemaker season 2, episode 7, "Like a Keith in the Night."]
When anti-hero Chris Smith (John Cena) and his allies visit Earth-2 in Peacemaker season 2, they meet alternate versions of familiar faces from their home reality. Rick Flagg, Jr. (Joel Kinnaman) bumbles around knocking over trash cans. Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) prefers books and skirts to fighting and trousers. And Vigilante (Freddie Stroma) battles for 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. 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 showcase that difference by writing a plot where Murn was likewise a part of the Sons of Liberty in Earth-2.
"He served as a champion. Whereas Murn on our planet was the worst guy in the world before he was possessed, Murn on their planet was this sort of incredible Harriet Tubman," Gunn stated. "A complete action hero."
Gunn eventually cut 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 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 version 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 police arrived. Auggie hinted at some sort of major scheme involving the interdimensional gate before he died, and Keith might attempt to complete whatever that was. He'd certainly try to avenge his father and brother while he's at it.
Peacemaker season 2 is available on HBO Max.
