The upcoming 2026 Batman villain film centered on Clayface was not part of the initial 10-year DC Studios roadmap developed by James Gunn and Peter Safran, yet it earned approval due to the strength of its concept. Scheduled to premiere on September 11, 2026, this film is positioned as the first villain-led feature in the DC Universe’s Chapter 1, known as Gods and Monsters. Unlike many projects in this phase lacking scheduled production or release dates, Clayface is actively moving forward with Tom Rhys Harries recently cast in the lead role.
James Gunn revealed that while he and Safran did not originally plan a Clayface movie for the DCU’s opening chapter, the project became irresistible after he read the screenplay by horror filmmaker Mike Flanagan. Gunn emphasized how the script’s quality convinced him to greenlight the film despite its absence from the original DC Studios blueprint.
The Script That Changed the Course
In a conversation with Entertainment Weekly promoting the 2025 Superman film, Gunn expressed high praise for Flanagan’s screenplay. He described the initial draft as excellent but indicated that the latest version is even stronger, affirming the film’s official confirmation.
“The new script is great. It’s great. I mean, the first script was great, and then this new draft is even better…. The movie’s definitely getting made.”
—James Gunn, DCU Head
Despite the rapid development of Clayface, Gunn admitted that when Flanagan first approached him with the idea, he did not expect the project would advance.
“did not think [Clayface] was something that was going to happen”
—James Gunn, DCU Head
He went on to explain how the concept stood out to him as something fresh and necessary within the growing DCU content lineup, especially given his long-standing friendship with Flanagan, who reached out early in Gunn’s tenure at DC Studios.
“Well, I think it was just we needed DCU content. 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.'”
—James Gunn, DCU Head
Clayface as a Unique Horror Entry in the DCU
Gunn described Clayface as a body horror film, a genre that mixes unsettling transformations with a connection to the DC Universe, promising an original take on comic book storytelling. According to Gunn, the movie owes its existence entirely to Flanagan’s pitch and his impressive script, making it a distinct addition that diverges from the originally planned slate.
“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.”
—James Gunn, DCU Head
The film will closely follow Clayface’s classic origin story, focusing on the character’s tragic descent as an actor who injects himself with substances to maintain his relevance, which ultimately distort his appearance and abilities into a horrifying shapeshifter. While some changes may be implemented, the core of the character’s arc remains respectful to the source material.
What Clayface’s Addition Signals for the DCU’s Future
The emergence of Clayface within the DCU highlights James Gunn and Peter Safran’s open-minded approach to creative projects, signaling that the universe’s future content will not be rigidly confined to their initial 10-year blueprint. Though Gunn and Safran have a clear vision for the DCU’s direction, the greenlighting of Clayface demonstrates their willingness to embrace innovative ideas from outside creators when the quality warrants it.
This flexibility may encourage a broader range of stories and characters, allowing unexpected narratives to find a place in the franchise if they meet the high standards set by DC Studios. The positive reception of recent projects like Superman, which premiered on July 11, 2025, suggests that audiences are ready for bold and unconventional storytelling within this expanding universe.
Fans can anticipate that future films and series might similarly emerge from unique pitches and diverse creative voices, making the landscape of DC content increasingly dynamic and exciting. Clayface’s development could very well be the first in a series of surprises prompted by quality scripts and visionary filmmaking.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does James Gunn believe in God?
A. Gunn grew up in a Catholic household and said that prayer still matters a lot to him. However, he also feels somewhat against organized religion.
Q. Is James Gunn no longer with Marvel?
A. Gunn collaborated with Marvel Studios on the Guardians of the Galaxy series before moving to DC Studios as co-CEO in 2022. Prior to his role as co-CEO, Gunn directed The Suicide Squad in 2021 for DC. This project came after his dismissal from Marvel, though he was later rehired to direct Guardians of the Galaxy 3.
Q. What is James Gunn’s religion?
A. Ozu influenced the new CGI-animated design of Krypto the Superdog in Gunn’s 2025 Superman adaptation. Raised in a Catholic household, Gunn considers prayer significant in his life. However, he has also expressed being somewhat opposed to organized religion.
