James Gunn Removed a Major Story Arc for Clemson Murn from the New Season
The actor's no-nonsense soldier of fortune Clemson Murn was killed off in the show's first season, but creator James Gunn had earlier teased that he might recast the actor to portray a different role in the DC Universe. During a recent episode of the series' companion podcast, Gunn revealed that Murn could even return to Peacemaker, mentioning a plot with big implications 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 friends visit Earth-X in the new season, they meet alternate versions of several people from their own world. Rick Flagg, Jr. (Joel Kinnaman) clumsily stumbles 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 original world was possessed by the alien butterfly Ik Nobe Llok, who didn't want to harm any humans. Even though 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 demonstrate that difference by writing a plot where Murn was likewise a member of the Sons of Liberty in Earth-2.
"He served as a champion. Whereas Murn on our planet was the most despicable man in the world before he became a butterfly, Murn on their planet was this sort of kick-ass Harriet Tubman," Gunn stated. "A complete action hero."
Gunn eventually cut that plotline from season 2, but he said he's not fully giving up on it.
"The future remains," he commented. "There's still an Earth-2. We didn't blow it up. This is still there."
Even if the team aren't in any hurry to go back to the reality where the Axis powers triumphed in World War II, Gunn's assurance that it's still there means they might deal with repercussions for how they destroyed its version of the Smith family. Harcourt tried to kill the vengeful and seriously injured 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 dimensional portal before he died, and Keith might try to finish that plan. He'd certainly try to avenge his family members while he's at it.
Peacemaker the new season is available on the streaming platform.
