James Gunn Removed a Major Story Arc for Chukwudi Iwuji's Character from the New Season
The actor's no-nonsense mercenary Clemson Murn was killed off in Peacemaker season 1, but showrunner 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 could even make a comeback, referencing a storyline with major consequences for the series going forward.
[Editor's Note: Plot details follow for Peacemaker season 2, episode 7, "The Keith Episode."]
When anti-hero Chris Smith (John Cena) and his friends visit Earth-X in the new season, they encounter very different versions of familiar faces from their home reality. Rick Flagg, Jr. (Joel Kinnaman) clumsily stumbles overturning trash cans. Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) prefers books and skirts to fighting and trousers. And Vigilante (Freddie Stroma) battles for the oppressed as a part of the Sons of Liberty, rather than just murdering drug dealers and petty criminals.
The Murn in Chris Smith's home dimension was taken over by the alien butterfly Ik Nobe Llok, who had no desire to hurt people. Although Murn was the most terrible individual he could find, the butterfly still felt remorse to inhabit his form, because he believed Murn was capable of change.
Gunn said he wanted to demonstrate that difference by writing a storyline where Murn was also a part of the Sons of Liberty in Earth-2.
"He was a hero. Whereas Murn on our planet was the most despicable man in the world before he was possessed, Murn on their planet was this kind of incredible Harriet Tubman," Gunn said. "A complete action hero."
Gunn ultimately removed that plotline from the second season, but he said he's not completely abandoning on it.
"The future remains," he commented. "Earth-2 still exists. We left it intact. This still exists."
Even if the Peacemaker crew aren't rushing to go back to the world where the Nazis won World War II, Gunn's assurance that it's still there means they might face consequences for how they wrecked its version of the Smith family. Harcourt tried to kill the revenge-seeking and seriously injured Keith Smith (David Denman) before heading home, but had to escape through the gateway when the authorities showed up. Auggie hinted at some kind of big plan involving the dimensional portal before he was killed, and Keith might attempt to complete that plan. He'd also assuredly try to get revenge for his family members in the process.
Peacemaker the new season is streaming on HBO Max.