The actor's tough soldier of fortune Clemson Murn was killed off in Peacemaker season 1, 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 Peacemaker: The Official 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 the latest episode, "Like a Keith in the Night."]
When reluctant hero Chris Smith (John Cena) and his allies travel to Earth-2 in the new season, they meet very different versions of familiar faces from their home reality. Rick Flagg, Jr. (Joel Kinnaman) bumbles around knocking over trash cans. Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) favors books and skirts to pants and brawling. And Vigilante (Freddie Stroma) battles for the downtrodden 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 alien butterfly Ik Nobe Llok, who had no desire to harm any humans. Even though Murn was the most terrible individual he could find, the butterfly still felt remorse to take over his body, because he thought Murn was able to reform.
Gunn explained he aimed to showcase that difference by creating a storyline where Murn was also a part of the Sons of Liberty in Earth-2.
"He was a hero. 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 said. "A complete action hero."
Gunn eventually cut that storyline from the second season, but he noted he's not fully giving up on it.
"The future remains," he commented. "Earth-2 still exists. We left it intact. This still exists."
Even if the Peacemaker crew aren't rushing to go back to the world where the Nazis won 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 badly hurt Keith Smith (David Denman) before returning to her world, but had to flee through the portal when the authorities showed up. Auggie hinted at some sort of major scheme involving the dimensional portal before he was killed, and Keith might try to finish that plan. He'd certainly try to avenge his family members while he's at it.
Peacemaker season 2 is streaming on HBO Max.
