DCU co-chiefs James Gunn and Peter Safran have confirmed the upcoming Clayface film as a DCU canon title with an R rating. The film, slated for a September 11, 2026 release, follows the villain's origin story.
Clayface, a Gotham City criminal with shape-shifting abilities, is a long-standing Batman adversary. The character's first iteration, Basil Karlo, debuted in 1940's Detective Comics #40. The project's development reportedly stems from the success of HBO's The Penguin series. Horror director Mike Flanagan penned the script, with Lynn Harris producing alongside Matt Reeves (The Batman).
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Gunn and Safran, speaking at a DC Studios presentation, clarified Clayface's place within the DCU, distinguishing it from Matt Reeves' The Batman Epic Crime Saga. The Batman trilogy and The Penguin series remain separate, though under the DC Studios umbrella. They emphasized the importance of Clayface's inclusion in the broader DCU, describing it as an origin story for a classic villain. The film's tone, however, wouldn't have fit Reeves' more grounded approach.
James Watkins (Speak No Evil) is in final negotiations to direct. Filming begins this summer, aiming for a fall 2026 release. While perhaps less famous than The Penguin or The Joker, Safran highlighted Clayface's compelling and terrifying narrative potential. The film is described as experimental, an "indie style chiller" and "pure f***ing horror," emphasizing its realistic, psychological, and body horror elements. The R rating reflects this approach. Gunn expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating that if presented with the script years ago, they would have eagerly produced it.
