James Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios, has announced a major update for the new Clayface movie, drawing attention to the Batman villain’s leap into the horror genre within the DC Universe. The upcoming James Gunn Clayface DCU horror movie, to be helmed by director James Watkins and featuring a script from Mike Flanagan, is set to bring a bold and intense vision to the franchise, aiming for an R-rating that promises a thrilling experience for fans.
Clayface Emerges as an Unexpected Star in DCU’s Chapter 1
In a surprising move for the evolving DC Universe, Clayface is set to receive his own feature before other staple Batman characters, ensuring the villain takes center stage ahead of the Caped Crusader. Gunn discussed on the DC Studios Showcase Podcast how Clayface wasn’t part of the studio’s initial plans, which instead focused on projects like “Woman of Tomorrow” and “Lanterns.” However, when Flanagan presented his vision for Clayface, the pitch made a strong impression and quickly solidified the character’s place in the DCU lineup.
Gunn highlighted the unique creative approach behind the addition of Clayface to the release schedule. He referenced his and Peter Safran’s previous experience producing horror titles, noting the body horror genre naturally fits this project. The anticipation increased as Gunn confirmed that the movie is very likely to carry an R-rating, aligning with its intense and mature themes.
“Clayface was not something that we intended. We didn’t come into this job like with Woman of Tomorrow or Lanterns. Woman of Tomorrow and Lanterns are both things we talked about when we had our initial writers room. We knew those things were coming. Clayface was not on our checklist. But Mike came in with a pitch for Clayface that was like, ‘Whoa, that is so cool.’ And then he wrote the screenplay and fulfilled doubly on that promise. The thing about Clayface that’s so cool is Peter and I were like, back when we were like producing […] horror movies and The Belko Experiment, all these things. I’m like, if we had gotten the script as a horror movie, not being a part of the DCU at all, it’s like this amazing body horror film that we would jump at the chance of making. So it really is about– Like, it’s just a great horror movie that is a great, smart, fun, fun horror movie in a genre that I happen to love, which is body horror. It’s rated R … it’s not anything now because the MPA has to watch it, but it’s most likely rated R. It’s pretty intense.”
—James Gunn, co-CEO, DC Studios
The film is on the planned release schedule even though it was not originally announced during the DCU’s January 2023 reveal for Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters. This demonstrates the influence of a strong script and focused vision, as Flanagan’s story convinced leadership despite not having been part of the initial brainstorming within the writers room.
DC Studios Sets a High Bar for Script Quality and Genre Innovation
DC Studios has emphasized a new development philosophy since its formation, ensuring that only projects with completed and well-received scripts move forward in production. While some early-announced titles have yet to move past draft stages, Clayface stands apart because of the clarity of Mike Flanagan’s vision and the studio’s enthusiastic response.
Making Clayface an R-rated affair positions it as one of the few horror movies to join the comic book genre. The premise is expected to center around a B-list movie actor’s desperate attempt to stay relevant in Hollywood, transforming himself with a mysterious substance and becoming the iconic villain. This approach not only grounds the plot in body horror but also justifies the R-rating, as Gunn and Safran draw from their background producing dark, intense films like “The Belko Experiment.”
Hollywood has experienced success with R-rated entries in the superhero space—recent examples include blockbusters like “Deadpool & Wolverine”—and DC Studios appears poised to follow suit, inviting fans of both genres to anticipate a unique blend of suspense, horror, and tragedy.
Spotlight on Creative Team and Casting Developments
Director James Watkins will lead the horror adaptation, with Mike Flanagan crafting the script. Although much of the cast remains under wraps, Tom Rhys Harries has been noted in connection to the film, signaling the beginning of what promises to be a carefully selected ensemble to support this villain-centric story.
The decision to focus a feature film on Clayface, a shapeshifting adversary from Gotham City’s underworld, signals a willingness by DC Studios to give new narrative perspectives a chance in the cinematic universe. The movie is described as an intersection of horror, thriller, and tragedy, driving home the character’s dark complexity and tragic trajectory.
What Sets the Clayface Project Apart in the DCU Franchise
Gunn’s statements and the studio’s commitment to the project suggest a shift in how villains are portrayed and prioritized within superhero franchises. At this stage in the DCU’s development, building a story around a Batman foe before featuring the hero marks a bold and creative move. Fans are now left to anticipate not only which other characters will join the Clayface movie but also the potential ripple effect this approach could have on future DCU films.
While there is significant excitement surrounding the project’s vision and rating, further casting news is expected in the coming months, with filming eyed for fall. With every detail from script quality to directorial vision tightly orchestrated, updates on the James Gunn Clayface DCU horror movie are expected to keep driving discussion as anticipation rises.
For DC Studios, the hope is clear: by embracing the strengths of a passionate creative team and pushing genre boundaries with body horror elements, Clayface may signal a compelling new direction for villain-driven narratives in comic book cinema.
