DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has confirmed that Clemson Murn from Peacemaker is officially canon to the DC Universe. However, the character’s face — played by acclaimed actor Chukwudi Iwuji — might not be. This opens the door for the Peacemaker actor to portray an entirely new role in Gunn’s evolving DCU.
Speaking on the matter, Gunn stated:
“I think Clemson Murn is canon. Maybe his face might not be canon if we want to cast [Chukwudi Iwuji] as something else in the DCU. But also, Chuk could end up being some other character maybe that isn’t so humanoid.”
Chukwudi Iwuji’s Reaction to the Recasting Possibility
Iwuji has embraced the idea of returning to the DCU in a new form. When asked about Gunn’s comments, he responded:
“That would be great.”
His enthusiasm aligns with his long-standing collaboration with Gunn, who once called him:
“The best actor [he had] ever worked with.”
Beyond his role in Peacemaker, Iwuji recently impressed audiences with his chilling performance as the High Evolutionary in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. This range makes him a strong candidate for more fantastical or alien roles within the DCU reboot.
Possible DCU Roles for the Peacemaker Actor
Iwuji has already hinted at his dream role — Etrigan the Demon. In a past interview with ComicBook’s Phaze Zero, he described Etrigan as:
“Jekyll and Hyde in the DC world.“
The character, a powerful demon bound to Jason Blood from King Arthur’s era, offers a blend of medieval mysticism and modern-day storytelling.
Other fan theories also suggest that he could embody Martian Manhunter, a shape-shifting alien rumored to appear in the upcoming Superman reboot. In addition, both roles would give Iwuji the chance to showcase his dramatic depth, while at the same time leaning into Gunn’s well-known preference for recasting actors in unique and unexpected ways. Therefore, ultimately, such casting choices could significantly strengthen the DCU’s fresh direction and appeal to longtime fans and newcomers alike.
James Gunn’s Approach to the Rebooted DCU
Gunn has been transparent about treating Peacemaker and The Suicide Squad as “vague memories of things that happened” in the reimagined DC Universe. Because of this, he has the creative freedom to reintroduce actors while also avoiding the constraints of previous storylines. In turn, this flexibility gives him more opportunities to reshape characters and keep the DCU feeling fresh for audiences.
This approach could also impact other characters, such as Idris Elba’s Bloodsport, particularly now that certain Superman plot elements have decanonized parts of the old DCEU. As a result, recasting and role reassignments could very well become a recurring strategy for Gunn’s DCU moving forward. In the long run, this method allows the franchise to keep popular actors while introducing fresh interpretations of beloved characters.
With the Peacemaker actor potentially stepping into a larger, more visually striking role, fans are eagerly awaiting to see which character will ultimately mark Iwuji’s official return. In fact, whether he emerges as a medieval demon, a Martian hero, or perhaps an entirely new creation, one thing remains certain — James Gunn will, without a doubt, continue to keep his most trusted actors in the spotlight. After all, his track record shows a consistent pattern of reimagining familiar talent for bold, fresh roles in the DCU.
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Patrick Webb