Clayface's DCU Ties Revealed in Gunn's Statement

DCU Co-Heads Gunn and Safran Confirm Clayface Movie Details: R-Rating and DCU Canon Status

DC co-chiefs James Gunn and Peter Safran recently confirmed key details about the upcoming Clayface film, solidifying its place within the DCU and revealing its R-rating.

Clayface, a notorious Gotham City criminal with shape-shifting abilities, is a long-standing adversary of Batman. The character's first iteration, Basil Karlo, debuted in Detective Comics #40 (1940).

DC Studios announced a September 11, 2026, release date for the Clayface film last month, a decision reportedly influenced by 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."

Confirmed DCU Projects

11 Images

During a DC Studios presentation to IGN, Gunn and Safran explained the film's placement within the DCU, distinguishing it from Matt Reeves' "The Batman Epic Crime Saga." Gunn confirmed Clayface's DCU status, while Safran clarified that Reeves' saga encompasses only the "Batman" trilogy and "The Penguin" series. Despite existing within separate cinematic universes under the DC Studios umbrella, Gunn and Safran emphasized their strong working relationship with Reeves.

The decision to integrate Clayface into the DCU was driven by a desire to feature a classic Batman villain's origin story within their established universe. Gunn noted that Clayface's narrative wouldn't have been a suitable fit for the grounded realism of Reeves' "The Batman" series.

Negotiations with "Speak No Evil" director James Watkins are underway to helm the project, with filming expected to commence this summer. Safran highlighted the film's unique style, describing it as an "experimental" and "indie style chiller," a body horror film showcasing a compelling origin story. Gunn further described it as "pure f***ing horror," emphasizing its realistic, psychological, and visceral nature.

The R-rating for Clayface was confirmed, aligning with the film's intended tone and content. Gunn expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating that if presented with the script five years prior, he and Safran would have eagerly produced it. The film's inclusion within the DCU is considered a significant bonus.