James Gunn Explains Why the Clayface Movie Had to Be a Part of the DCU and Not Matt Reeves' The Batman Epic Crime Saga

DCU co-heads James Gunn and Peter Safran have confirmed the upcoming Clayface film, slated for release on September 11, 2026, will be a canon DCU entry with an R-rating.

Clayface, a long-standing Batman adversary with shape-shifting abilities, boasts a rich history dating back to his first appearance in Detective Comics #40 (1940) as Basil Karlo. The film's development follows the success of HBO's The Penguin series. Horror maestro Mike Flanagan penned the screenplay, with Lynn Harris producing alongside Matt Reeves, director of The Batman.

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Gunn and Safran, speaking at a DC Studios presentation, emphasized Clayface's distinct place within the DCU, separate from Matt Reeves' The Batman universe. Safran clarified that Reeves' "Crime Saga," encompassing the Batman trilogy and The Penguin, remains under DC Studios but constitutes a separate narrative.

"Clayface is definitively part of the DCU," Gunn stated. The decision to include Clayface in the main DCU continuity stemmed from a desire to present an origin story for this classic villain within their established world. Gunn further explained that Clayface's unique characteristics wouldn't align with the grounded realism of Reeves' films.

DC Studios is reportedly finalizing negotiations with James Watkins (Speak No Evil) to direct. Filming is scheduled for this summer, aiming for a fall 2026 release. While acknowledging Clayface's lesser mainstream recognition compared to figures like The Penguin or The Joker, Safran highlighted the character's compelling and terrifying narrative potential.

Throughout the presentation, Safran described Clayface as an experimental project, diverging from traditional superhero fare, and an "indie-style chiller." Gunn described it as "pure f***ing horror," emphasizing its realistic, psychological, and intensely visceral body horror elements. The R-rating, Gunn confirmed, is a deliberate choice reflecting the film's intense nature. Gunn further expressed his enthusiasm for the project, highlighting its strong script and the opportunity to produce a film of this caliber within the DCU.