Is Clayface setting up some crazy things for the DC Universe? James Gunn reveals why the horror film focused on a Batman villain is being made so early in the franchise.
When James Gunn first announced Chapter 1 of the new DC Universe, fans went wild with wondering what the first few years of the franchise was going to look like. They already knew that Superman was coming first, but the possibilities of 2026 were endless! Speculation ranged from a quick-turn-around sequel, to The Authority, and even a World’s Finest film. What nobody expected was that third film in the franchise to be a horror movie focused on Clayface.
Even months on, with production for Clayface taking form later this year, fans are still confused about exactly why James Gunn decided to make a villain-centric horror film one of the first few movies of the DC Universe. Some thought it was a way to recapture the magic of Joker, while others see it as a way to sneak Robert Pattinson’s Batman into the franchise. The truth? The studio just needed scripts that were actually finished.
“Well, I think it was just we needed DCU content,” Gunn explained to Entertainment Weekly. “Mike Flanagan is somebody who I’ve been friendly with for a long time, and he wrote me about Clayface. He texted me about it really early on in my DC journey. Just being honest, I did not think that was something that was going to happen, but he came in and he pitched the idea and I was like, ‘Oh s—! That’s cool.'”
What Will Clayface Be About?
With the revelation that Clayface isn’t setting up some major twists for the broader DC Universe, some fans are left stumped as to what the film will actually be about. James Gunn elaborated about this while continuing to discuss the film, suggesting that it may be the darkest horror movie yet based on a mainstream comic book property.
“It’s a body horror movie. It’s a horror movie that, like any cool body horror movie, just happens to be in the DCU. And then he wrote the script, and the script was fantastic. We did not plan to do Clayface. That was really something he brought to us. “
Given the resurgence of body horror in the last few years, Clayface certainly has the opportunity to do something special in the pantheon of comic book movies. This not to mention how hefty returns can get for horror films, leaving the door open for James Gunn to make a pretty penny off the project. Though regardless of if it sinks or swims, it’ll certainly be a movie people won’t forget anytime soon.
Clayface is set to release September 11th, 2026. This project has not yet been confirmed by DC Studios. Stay tuned for the latest news regarding the future of the DC Universe and make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more content!
