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

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 shapeshift his clay-like body, 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.

Confirmed DCU Projects

11 Images

During a DC Studios presentation attended by IGN, Gunn and Safran explained Clayface's inclusion in the DCU, differentiating 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, remaining under the DC Studios umbrella. Safran emphasized the importance of Clayface within the DCU: "It's an origin story for a classic Batman villain that we want to have in our world." Gunn further explained that Clayface's tone wouldn't suit Reeves' grounded approach, stating it was "very outside of the grounded non-super metahuman characters in Matt's world."

DC Studios is in final negotiations with James Watkins (Speak No Evil) to direct. Filming is slated to begin this summer. Safran described Clayface as an "experimental," "indie style chiller," a departure from traditional superhero films. Gunn described it as "pure f***ing horror, like, totally real…so real and true and psychological and body horror and gross." The film is confirmed to be R-rated. Gunn elaborated, stating that if presented with the script years ago, they would have jumped at the chance to produce it, highlighting its exceptional body horror elements. The DCU context is considered a bonus.