James Gunn Removed a Significant Story Arc for Clemson Murn from Peacemaker Season 2
The actor's tough mercenary Clemson Murn met his end in Peacemaker season 1, but creator James Gunn had previously hinted that he might recast the actor to portray a different role in the DC Universe. During a recent episode of Peacemaker: The Official Podcast, Gunn disclosed that Murn himself even make a comeback, mentioning a storyline with major consequences for the show's future.
[Editor's Note: Plot details follow for Peacemaker season 2, episode 7, "The Keith Episode."]
When reluctant hero Chris Smith (John Cena) and his allies travel to Earth-2 in the new season, they encounter alternate versions of familiar faces from their own world. Rick Flagg, Jr. (Joel Kinnaman) bumbles around knocking over trash cans. Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) favors 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 simply killing drug dealers and petty criminals.
Clemson Murn in Chris Smith's home dimension was taken over by the alien butterfly Ik Nobe Llok, who didn't want to hurt people. 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 able to reform.
Gunn said he wanted to showcase that contrast by writing a plot where Murn was likewise a part of the Sons of Liberty in the alternate world.
"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 sort of kick-ass Harriet Tubman," Gunn said. "A complete 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 commented. "There's still an Earth-2. We didn't blow it up. This still exists."
Although the team aren't in any hurry to go back to the world 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 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 flee through the portal when the police arrived. Auggie hinted at some kind of major scheme involving the interdimensional gate before he died, and Keith might try to finish that plan. He'd certainly try to get revenge for his father and brother while he's at it.
Peacemaker the new season is available on the streaming platform.