The Director Removed a Major Plotline for Clemson Murn from the New Season
The actor's tough mercenary Clemson Murn was killed off in Peacemaker season 1, but showrunner James Gunn had previously hinted that he might recast the actor to play another character in the DC Universe. During a recent episode of Peacemaker: The Official Podcast, Gunn revealed that Murn himself even return to Peacemaker, mentioning a plot with major consequences for the series going forward.
[Editor's Note: Spoilers ahead for Peacemaker season 2, episode 7, "Like a Keith in the Night."]
When reluctant hero Chris Smith (John Cena) and his friends travel to Earth-X in Peacemaker season 2, they meet alternate versions of several people 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 downtrodden as a part of the Sons of Liberty, rather than just murdering drug dealers and small-time lawbreakers.
Clemson Murn in Chris Smith's original world was taken over by the extraterrestrial insect Ik Nobe Llok, who didn't want to harm any humans. 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 capable of change.
Gunn explained he aimed to demonstrate that difference by writing a plot where Murn was also 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 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 said he's not completely abandoning on it.
"The future remains," he commented. "Earth-2 still exists. We didn't blow it up. This is still there."
Although the Peacemaker crew aren't in any hurry to return to the reality where the Axis powers triumphed in World War II, Gunn's assurance that it's still there means they might face consequences for how they wrecked its incarnation of the Smith family. Harcourt attempted to murder the vengeful 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 major scheme involving the interdimensional gate before he died, and Keith might try to finish that plan. He'd also assuredly try to get revenge for his father and brother in the process.
Peacemaker season 2 is streaming on the streaming platform.
