Clayface Getting a DCU Debut- Gunn and Safran Got a Writer and Director
DC Studios co-heads James and Peter Safran have confirmed that they will introduce an important villain of the DC
DC Studios co-heads James and Peter Safran have confirmed that they will introduce an important villain of the DC verse while rebooting the entire universe. Several projects are in the pipeline but DC Studios does not want to roll them out aimlessly.
Gunn and Safran are clear on their strategy to head DC Studio. However, one of the newly formed DC’s projects just came out of nowhere. Clayface getting a DCU debut is something Gunn and Safran also did not have in mind. Here’s what to expect.
How is Clayface getting a DCU debut explicitly as DC Studios’ work?
According to IGN, Clayface is an upcoming R-rated film with a confirmed DCU canon status. It means that it will explicitly be a part of the DC narrative, and the events stated in the feature will be considered factual in its new continuity.
Clayface is one of Batman’s oldest foes, and he has the power to change his clay body into anyone or anything. Basil Karlo first conceived it in Detective Comics #40 (1940).
The decision to give this villain his own full-feature film was made after the success of HBO’s The Penguin series. Gunn and Safran explained the reason for making this story DC’s own.
“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.” [Source]
Gunn elucidated that Matt’s world will have his own crime saga storytelling and his own narratives, which would be entirely his. Gunn and Safran love Matt Reeves’ work and have an “incredible relationship”. That is why Matt’s trilogy of The Batman will be released as per decided.
But The Brave and The Bold, DC Studio’s own new version of Batman without Robert Pattinson that has a father-son story narrative, and Clayface are specifically in DC Studio’s lane.
Why did Clayface need a debut?
Safran clarified that this villain is as important as the rest of Batman’s villains, such as Joker and The Penguin. It has been known less among the audience, and that is the sole reason to bring it to screens.
The co-heads believe that his story is equally “resonant and compelling” and needs to be told more terrifyingly.
It will be a body horror film but an “experimental” one as it would not be as traditional as the rest of the superhero movies and their villains. Safran catgeorized it as an “indie style chiller”, as per IGN.
Moreover, since it is a body horror film, Gunn made clear that it will be “so real, true and psychological and body horror and gross.” No wonder it is rated R.
The idea of making a Clayface film came to Gunn and Safran when they were doing Belko Experiment five years ago. The horror script directed their brains to think in this dimension, and thus decided to get a script for Clayface with an excellent body horror story that should only be a part of DCU.
Gunn and Safran had no plans for Clayface initially but they had a plan for DCU reboot
The Wrap indicated that Gunn opened up about how they want the DC reboot should be. The company’s focus will be to make each project work independently as they continue to build a larger universe.
Stand-alone projects will be lined up, which will be connected with each other effectively. They are aiming to produce three films per year, including two live-action films and one animated film per year.
They are in no hurry for the projects and want to take time for careful planning and execution of each project.
Clayface is one of their craziest projects, as they had no plans for it in the beginning. When Mike Flanagan came to them with a script in 2023, they loved it and immediately thought of adapting it into a film.
The film got the green light as they felt the script fit perfectly well in the DC world and Gotham’s stories. The DC heads also assured that it will not be a concern if Clayface and The Batman II have release dates close to each other as their verses are distinct.
Gunn justified the existence of Clayface in the DC verse as it will have a strong stance in the story’s narrative and will dig deeper into the Bat-verse in Gunn and Safran’s DC Studios reign.
Both of them guaranteed that quality matters the most; otherwise, the film couldn’t have gotten a green light. The first draft from Flanagan was excellent, and the second was even better. That is when Gunn decided to make a film out of it. It was worthy enough to have a film of its own. He rationalized that making quality movies is more important than a “grandiose mega-narrative”.
A Batman hasn’t been finalized for both Clayface and The Brave and the Bold.
Clayface film’s writer and director are confirmed!
The writer is decided, and it’s Mike Flanagan. He has done brilliant projects previously, like Gerald’s Games (2017) and Doctor Sleep (2019).
A deal has been done with James Watkins to helm Clayface with his directorial skills, as per Forbes.
Lynn Harris and Matt Reeves will produce the film. No casting has been announced yet.
Who will play the titular villain Clayface in the film is not verified, but Gunn has solidly negated the rumors of casting Daniel Radcliffe as Clayface.
When is Clayface releasing?
DC Studios announced that Clayface is expected to be released on September 11, 2026.
Are you looking forward to the Clayface movie? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
