DC Studios is set to introduce its first villain-focused movie, Clayface, in 2026, marking a significant expansion of the DC Universe (DCU). The project unfolds under the leadership of co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran, who are spearheading the DCU’s “Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters.” After primarily showcasing James Gunn’s writing contributions on shows like Creature Commandos, Superman, and Peacemaker Season 2, the studio is broadening its slate with Clayface, Lanterns, Supergirl, and possibly an animated sequel to Blue Beetle, all led by diverse creative teams.
James Gunn has emphasized that the DCU will avoid a uniform style, instead embracing unique tones to better highlight each character’s strengths. This means Clayface will explore a darker, body horror approach, distinct from the action-comedy vibe of Peacemaker. To achieve this vision, DC Studios enlisted horror veterans writer Mike Flanagan and director James Watkins, neither of whom have a traditional superhero background but possess strong expertise in horror storytelling.
Progress Underway: Filming and Visual Identity for Clayface
Production on Clayface has officially begun in Liverpool, U.K., with director James Watkins at the helm. Recently leaked set photos have provided the public an early glimpse of Tom Rhys Harries portraying Matt Hagen, the character who becomes Clayface. These images include shots of the film’s clapperboard and the first revealed logo design.
The initial Clayface logo echoes the character’s transformation, utilizing a comic-style font that appears to melt into a puddle of clay, symbolizing Hagen’s descent within the story. Though this logo might evolve during production, it already conveys the film’s dark and unsettling atmosphere effectively.
Clayface is scheduled for release on September 11, 2026, making it the inaugural villain-focused film produced entirely under the current DC Studios banner. While Todd Phillips’ Joker: Folie à Deux will arrive earlier in October 2024 as a Batman villain spin-off, that project was developed under Warner Bros. Pictures before Gunn and Safran’s tenure, so Clayface represents a new era for DC villain storytelling.
The cast includes Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen, alongside Eddie Marsan, Max Minghella, Naomi Ackie, and others, all expected to film in the U.K. over the upcoming months.
Villain-Driven Stories Offer New Opportunities for DC Studios
Although Clayface’s filming began just a year before its planned release, shorter than the typical production windows of other DCU titles, its modest $40 million budget is likely to favor practical effects over heavy CGI, aiding a streamlined post-production process. This approach aligns well with the film’s body horror aesthetic and may enhance the project’s unique identity.
The success of the original Joker film, which grossed over $1 billion, demonstrated the audience’s appetite for villain-focused narratives. Despite the financial failure of the 2024 Joker sequel, DC Studios remains committed to exploring villain-centric projects.
Looking ahead, a Bane and Deathstroke team-up movie is reportedly in development within DCU’s Chapter 1, though details remain sparse, as the script is being written by Moon Knight’s Matthew Orton. Whether this villain combination advances toward production is still uncertain.
With superhero fatigue affecting both Marvel and DC’s box office results recently, focusing on complex villain characters could offer fresh storytelling directions and reinvigorate the genre. These narratives could explore darker, more nuanced perspectives often overlooked in hero-centered films.
