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-CEOs of DC Studios, have confirmed the upcoming Clayface movie will be canon within the DC Universe (DCU) and carry an R rating. Clayface, a long-time Batman adversary with the ability to alter 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 stemmed from the success of HBO's The Penguin series. Horror filmmaker Mike Flanagan penned the script, 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 inclusion in the DCU, differentiating it from Matt Reeves' The Batman Epic Crime Saga. Gunn confirmed, "Clayface is totally DCU," with Safran clarifying, "The only thing that's in Matt's world…is the Batman Trilogy, the Penguin series." They emphasized a strong relationship with Reeves but stressed Clayface's distinct place within the DCU. "It was important that Clayface be part of the DCU. It's an origin story for a classic Batman villain that we want to have in our world," Gunn stated, adding that the character wouldn't have fit Reeves' more grounded approach. "It was very outside of the grounded non-super metahuman characters in Matt's world," he explained.

DC Studios is reportedly finalizing negotiations with James Watkins (Speak No Evil) to direct. Filming is scheduled to begin this summer. Safran described Clayface as an "incredible body horror film" and an "indie style chiller," while Gunn labeled it "pure f***ing horror…totally real…psychological and body horror and gross." The film's R rating was also confirmed. Gunn further elaborated, stating that if presented with the script five years ago, they would have eagerly produced it due to its excellent body horror elements. The DCU setting is simply a bonus.