James Gunn Already Plans On Recasting This DCU Actor

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It seems that James Gunn, one of the co-CEOs at DC Studios, might be considering a change in cast for an actor from the show “Peacemaker”. The DC Universe (DCU) is essentially a fresh start for the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), with only a select number of projects being exempt, primarily those overseen by Gunn. Shows like “The Suicide Squad” and “Peacemaker” are set in this new universe, but with some minor discrepancies in the canon that Gunn has been addressing through his rewatch podcasts.

Due to recent developments, John Cena’s character Peacemaker remains part of the reboot and is set to carry on his narrative in Season 2 on HBO Max. Simultaneously, Jason Momoa’s Aquaman, who made an appearance in Peacemaker’s Season 1 finale, has been completely written out of the storyline and will be portrayed by a different actor in the DCU’s Supergirl as Lobo.

In their fifth episode of the Season 1 rewatch podcast, James Gunn and the Peacemaker team discuss Jennifer Holland’s character Emilia Harcourt raising a question about Chukwudi Iwuji’s character Clemson Murn being part of the DC Universe. Gunn confirmed that Murn is indeed part of the DCU, considering his significant role in Peacemaker Season 1. However, he hinted that Iwuji might not have seen the last of the DCU yet, despite his character’s apparent demise.

In simpler terms, the head of DCU stated that although Murn was present in the reboot, his appearance may not be considered official (canon) if Chukwudi Iwuji is replaced for a different character. He further hinted that this new role might depict a less human-like figure.

I believe Clemson Murn is established within the DC Universe. However, if we consider casting Chukwudi Iwuji in a different role, his character might not resemble Clemson Murn exactly. Additionally, there’s a chance that Chuk could portray a non-humanoid character in the future.

The actors appearing in both “Peacemaker” and “Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3” appeared to express enthusiasm for the concept, replying with a general, “Sounds wonderful.

It’s possible that Iwuji has already chosen who he’d like to portray next in the DC universe. During an interview with Phaze Zero podcast from ComicBook, Iwuji expressed his interest in bringing Etrigan the Demon to life, describing him as a “Jekyll and Hyde” character within the DC world.

It might come as a surprise to many that Etrigan, often perceived as a malevolent spirit, typically functions as a superhero. In this role, he forges an alliance with Jason Blood, a knight hailing from King Arthur’s court. This bond grants Jason immortality, enabling him to traverse the ages from the Medieval era straight into the modern-day DC universe.

It’s no wonder that Gunn is excited about collaborating with Iwuji once more, given their consecutive roles together, first from DC to Marvel in shows like Peacemaker’s Murn and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’s High Evolutionary. In fact, as recently as December 2022, Gunn even declared that Iwuji was his finest acting partner he had ever worked with.

In the series titled “Peacemaker“, Murn served as a relentless and notorious mercenary, known for numerous atrocities. However, his life ended when the butterfly Ik Nobe Llok claimed him, having intentionally sought out the most vile individual to inhabit.

In the attempt to protect Earth from his fellow invaders, Murn’s butterfly selflessly utilized his body. Unfortunately, he was slain by their leader. As such, he becomes one of the cherished symbols from Season 1 that won’t reappear in the eagerly awaited sequel.

Chukwudi Iwuji Would Be Perfect for This Underused Justice Leaguer

As a dedicated movie fan, I can share that James Gunn once described The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker Season 1 as “hazy recollections of events unfolded” within the new DC Universe. This statement leaves DC Studios some flexibility to selectively incorporate aspects from Gunn’s pre-DCU ventures into canon, for instance, by casting a different actor for Clemson Murn’s role.

Chukwudi Iwuji’s remarkable ability to seamlessly transition from composed and controlled to intimidatingly powerful could make him an ideal fit for portraying a Justice League character within the DC Universe – specifically, the Martian Manhunter.

The DC Universe has subtly inserted its initial Easter egg featuring Martian Manhunter in the series Superman. It goes without saying that this character is eagerly awaited among fans, given that his portrayal has been long overdue and deserves a fitting adaptation.

Perhaps, Iwuji might indeed find an excellent fit for the role of Etrigan. After all, the character – a knight who’s been possessed by a demon and carries a storied heroic lineage dating back centuries – offers immense creative scope that Iwuji, with his talent, could certainly bring to life effectively.

With his recent declaration, Gunn has hinted at the possibility of actors from “The Suicide Squad” and “Peacemaker” stepping into fresh roles within the DC Universe. For instance, Idris Elba might choose to part ways with Bloodsport to embrace a new character, given that Superman’s recent retcon could alter some key aspects of his anti-hero persona.

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2025-08-08 00:35