The Director Removed a Significant Plotline 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 bring Iwuji back to portray a different role in the DC Universe. In the latest episode of the series' companion podcast, Gunn revealed 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 the latest episode, "The Keith Episode."]
When anti-hero Chris Smith (John Cena) and his allies visit Earth-X in Peacemaker season 2, they meet alternate versions of familiar faces from their own world. Rick Flagg, Jr. (Joel Kinnaman) clumsily stumbles knocking over trash cans. Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) prefers books and skirts to pants and brawling. And Vigilante (Freddie Stroma) battles for the downtrodden as a part of the Sons of Liberty, rather than just murdering drug dealers and petty criminals.
The Murn in Chris Smith's original world was taken over by the extraterrestrial insect Ik Nobe Llok, who had no desire to harm any humans. Even though Murn was the most terrible individual he could find, the butterfly still felt remorse to take over his body, because he thought Murn was able to reform.
Gunn said he wanted to showcase that difference by writing a storyline where Murn was likewise a member of the Sons of Liberty in Earth-2.
"He was a hero. While Murn on our planet was the worst guy in the world before he became a butterfly, Murn on their planet was this sort of kick-ass Harriet Tubman," Gunn stated. "A complete action hero."
Gunn eventually cut that plotline from season 2, but he noted he's not completely abandoning on it.
"There's still the future," he commented. "Earth-2 still exists. We left it intact. This still exists."
Even if the team aren't in any hurry to return to the world where the Axis powers triumphed in World War II, Gunn's assurance that it's still there means they might deal with repercussions for how they wrecked its version 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 escape through the gateway when the police arrived. Auggie referenced some sort of big plan involving the interdimensional gate before he was killed, 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 the new season is available on HBO Max.
