The actor's no-nonsense soldier of fortune Clemson Murn met his end 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. In the latest episode of the series' companion podcast, Gunn revealed that Murn could 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, "The Keith Episode."]
When reluctant hero Chris Smith (John Cena) and his friends visit Earth-2 in the new season, they meet alternate versions of several people from their own world. Rick Flagg, Jr. (Joel Kinnaman) bumbles around overturning trash cans. Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) prefers books and skirts to pants and brawling. And Vigilante (Freddie Stroma) fights to free the oppressed as a member 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 felt remorse to inhabit his form, because he thought Murn was able to reform.
Gunn explained he aimed to demonstrate that contrast by writing a storyline where Murn was likewise a member of the Sons of Liberty in the alternate world.
"He served as a champion. While Murn on our planet was the worst guy in the world before he became a butterfly, Murn on their planet was this kind 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 fully giving up on it.
"The future remains," he said. "There's still an Earth-2. We left it intact. This still exists."
Even if the Peacemaker crew aren't in any hurry to go back to the world where the Axis powers triumphed in World War II, Gunn's assurance that it's remaining means they might deal with repercussions for how they wrecked its incarnation of the Smith family. Harcourt tried to kill the revenge-seeking and seriously injured Keith Smith (David Denman) before returning to her world, but had to escape through the gateway when the police arrived. Auggie referenced some kind of big plan involving the interdimensional gate before he was killed, and Keith might try to finish that plan. He'd certainly try to get revenge for his family members in the process.
Peacemaker season 2 is available on the streaming platform.
