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-chiefs James Gunn and Peter Safran have confirmed the upcoming Clayface film, slated for release on September 11, 2026, will be a part of the DCU canon and receive an R rating.

Clayface, a long-standing Batman adversary with the ability to morph his clay-like body, has a rich history in DC Comics, with Basil Karlo's first appearance in Detective Comics #40 (1940). The film's development follows the success of HBO's The Penguin series. Horror specialist Mike Flanagan penned the script, and Lynn Harris is producing alongside Matt Reeves, director of The Batman.

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Gunn and Safran, speaking at a DC Studios presentation, clarified Clayface's place within the DCU, distinguishing it from Matt Reeves' The Batman Epic Crime Saga. They emphasized that only the Batman trilogy and The Penguin series fall under Reeves' separate continuity. While maintaining a strong relationship with Reeves, the Clayface project is firmly established within the main DCU.

The decision to include Clayface in the DCU stemmed from a desire to present an origin story for a classic villain within their established universe. Gunn noted that Clayface's unique characteristics wouldn't align with the grounded realism of Reeves' films.

James Watkins, director of Speak No Evil, is in final negotiations to helm the project, with filming anticipated to begin this summer. Safran described Clayface as an "experimental" and "indie style chiller," a departure from traditional superhero fare. Gunn further characterized it as "pure f***ing horror," emphasizing its realistic, psychological, and body horror elements. The R rating, Gunn confirmed, is a deliberate choice reflecting the film's intense nature. He expressed excitement about the project, stating that if presented with the script years ago, they would have eagerly produced it regardless of its DCU affiliation.