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-heads James Gunn and Peter Safran have confirmed the upcoming Clayface film, emphasizing its place within the DCU canon and its R rating.

Clayface, a notorious Gotham City criminal with shape-shifting abilities, is a long-standing Batman adversary. 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 movie last month, a decision reportedly influenced by the success of HBO's The Penguin series. Horror maestro Mike Flanagan penned the script, with Lynn Harris producing alongside The Batman director Matt Reeves.

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Gunn and Safran, speaking at a DC Studios presentation attended by IGN, explained Clayface's inclusion in the main DCU continuity, differentiating it from Matt Reeves' The Batman universe. They clarified that only the Batman trilogy and The Penguin series fall under Reeves' separate narrative. While acknowledging their strong relationship with Reeves, they emphasized Clayface's integral role in the broader DCU.

"Clayface is entirely DCU," Gunn stated. Safran added, "The only projects within Matt's world, his Crime Saga, are the Batman trilogy and the Penguin series."

The decision to place Clayface within the DCU stemmed from a desire to present a classic Batman villain's origin story within their established continuity. Gunn noted Clayface's thematic incompatibility with the grounded realism of Reeves' films.

"It's a departure from the grounded, non-superpowered metahuman characters in Matt's universe," Gunn explained.

Safran confirmed ongoing negotiations with James Watkins (Speak No Evil) to direct, hinting at a near-certain agreement. Filming is scheduled to commence this summer.

Safran described Clayface as an "experimental" project, diverging from the typical superhero blockbuster format, instead aiming for an "indie-style chiller." Gunn described it as "pure f***ing horror... totally real, psychological, body horror, and gross."

The R rating for Clayface was also confirmed. Gunn further elaborated on the film's appeal, stating that if presented with the script five years prior, they would have eagerly produced it, highlighting its exceptional body horror elements. Its inclusion in the DCU, he added, is a significant bonus.