Chukwudi Iwuji's tough soldier of fortune Clemson Murn met his end 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. During a recent episode of the series' companion podcast, Gunn disclosed that Murn himself even return to Peacemaker, referencing a plot with big implications for the series going forward.
[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-2 in Peacemaker season 2, they encounter alternate versions of several people from their own world. Rick Flagg, Jr. (Joel Kinnaman) clumsily stumbles knocking over trash cans. Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) favors books and skirts to pants and brawling. 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 original world was possessed by the extraterrestrial insect 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 take over his body, because he believed Murn was able to reform.
Gunn said he wanted to showcase that contrast by creating a storyline where Murn was also a member of the Sons of Liberty in Earth-2.
"He was a hero. Whereas Murn on our planet was the worst guy in the world before he was possessed, Murn on their planet was this sort of kick-ass Harriet Tubman," Gunn said. "Like a total action hero."
Gunn eventually cut that storyline from the second season, but he noted he's not completely abandoning on it.
"There's still the future," he said. "Earth-2 still exists. We left it intact. This is still there."
Although the team aren't in any hurry to return to the reality where the Nazis won 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 tried to kill the revenge-seeking and badly hurt Keith Smith (David Denman) before heading home, but had to escape through the portal when the police arrived. Auggie hinted at some kind of big plan involving the dimensional portal before he died, and Keith might attempt to complete whatever that was. He'd also assuredly try to get revenge for his family members in the process.
Peacemaker the new season is available on the streaming platform.
