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 portray a different role in the DC Universe. During a recent episode of Peacemaker: The Official Podcast, Gunn revealed that Murn could even make a comeback, mentioning a storyline 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 anti-hero Chris Smith (John Cena) and his friends travel to Earth-2 in the new season, they meet alternate versions of several people from their home reality. Rick Flagg, Jr. (Joel Kinnaman) bumbles around overturning trash cans. Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) favors books and skirts to fighting and trousers. And Vigilante (Freddie Stroma) fights to free the oppressed as a member of the Sons of Liberty, rather than simply killing drug dealers and small-time lawbreakers.
Clemson Murn in Chris Smith's original world was possessed by the alien butterfly Ik Nobe Llok, who had no desire to hurt people. Even though Murn was the worst person he could find, the butterfly still regretted the decision to take over his body, because he thought Murn was capable of change.
Gunn said he wanted to demonstrate that difference by writing a storyline where Murn was also 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 incredible Harriet Tubman," Gunn stated. "A complete action hero."
Gunn ultimately removed that plotline from season 2, but he noted he's not completely abandoning on it.
"There's still the future," he said. "Earth-2 still exists. We left it intact. This still exists."
Even if the team aren't rushing to return to the reality where the Nazis won World War II, Gunn's assurance that it's remaining means they might deal with repercussions for how they destroyed its incarnation of the Smith family. Harcourt tried to kill the revenge-seeking and seriously injured Keith Smith (David Denman) before heading home, but had to escape through the gateway when the police arrived. Auggie hinted at some sort of major scheme involving the interdimensional gate before he was killed, and Keith might try to finish whatever that was. He'd also assuredly try to get revenge for his family members while he's at it.
Peacemaker season 2 is available on HBO Max.
