The Director Cut a Major Plotline for Clemson Murn from the New Season
Chukwudi Iwuji's tough mercenary Clemson Murn was killed off in the show's first season, but showrunner James Gunn had previously hinted that he might recast the actor to portray a different role in the DCU. In the latest episode of the series' companion podcast, Gunn revealed that Murn could even make a comeback, mentioning a plot with major consequences for the show's future.
[Editor's Note: Plot details follow for Peacemaker season 2, episode 7, "Like a Keith in the Night."]
When reluctant hero Chris Smith (John Cena) and his allies visit Earth-2 in the new season, they meet alternate versions of several people from their own world. Rick Flagg, Jr. (Joel Kinnaman) bumbles around overturning trash cans. Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) prefers books and skirts to pants and brawling. And Vigilante (Freddie Stroma) fights to free the downtrodden as a member of the Sons of Liberty, rather than simply killing drug dealers and small-time lawbreakers.
The Murn in Chris Smith's home dimension was taken over by the extraterrestrial insect Ik Nobe Llok, who didn't want to harm any humans. Although Murn was the worst person he could find, the butterfly still regretted the decision to inhabit his form, because he thought Murn was able to reform.
Gunn said he wanted to showcase that difference by creating a storyline where Murn was likewise a member of the Sons of Liberty in Earth-2.
"He served as a champion. While Murn on our planet was the most despicable man in the world before he was possessed, Murn on their planet was this sort of kick-ass Harriet Tubman," Gunn stated. "Like a total action hero."
Gunn ultimately removed that storyline from the second season, but he noted he's not completely abandoning on it.
"There's still the future," 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 return to the reality where the Axis powers triumphed in World War II, Gunn's promise that it's still there means they might deal with repercussions for how they destroyed 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 escape 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 try to finish that plan. He'd certainly try to avenge his father and brother in the process.
Peacemaker season 2 is streaming on HBO Max.