Gunn's DCU: Clayface Film Explained

James Gunn and Peter Safran, co-heads of DC Studios, have confirmed the upcoming Clayface film as a canon entry within the DC Universe (DCU), boasting an R rating. Clayface, a long-standing Batman adversary with the ability to morph his clay-like body into anyone or anything, first appeared as Basil Karlo in Detective Comics #40 (1940). DC Studios announced a September 11, 2026, release date last month. The project reportedly stems from the success of HBO's The Penguin series. Horror maestro Mike Flanagan penned the screenplay, with Lynn Harris producing alongside The Batman director Matt Reeves.

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During a DC Studios presentation to IGN, Gunn and Safran explained Clayface's placement within the DCU, distinguishing it from Matt Reeves' The Batman Epic Crime Saga. Gunn confirmed, "Clayface is totally DCU," clarifying that Reeves' saga encompasses only the Batman trilogy and The Penguin series. While under the DC Studios umbrella, these remain separate. Safran emphasized the importance of Clayface within the broader DCU: "It's an origin story for a classic Batman villain that we want to have in our world." Gunn added that Clayface wouldn't fit Reeves' more grounded approach, stating it's "very outside of the grounded non-super metahuman characters in Matt's world."

DC Studios is reportedly finalizing negotiations with Speak No Evil director James Watkins to helm the project, with filming slated to begin this summer. Safran described Clayface as an "incredible body horror film" revealing a compelling origin story, adding that the film's exceptional screenplay by Flanagan drove its inclusion in the slate. He highlighted the film's potential despite Clayface's lesser-known status compared to The Penguin or The Joker, believing his story to be equally compelling and terrifying.

Safran described Clayface as "experimental," unlike a traditional superhero film, and an "indie style chiller." Gunn described it as "pure f***ing horror, like, totally real. Their version of that movie, it is so real and true and psychological and body horror and gross." Gunn confirmed the film's R rating, stating that if presented with the script five years prior, they would have eagerly produced it due to its excellent body horror elements. The film's inclusion in the DCU is considered a bonus.