The DC Universe is stepping into uncharted, terrifying territory with ‘Clayface’, a horror-inspired spinoff centered on one of Batman’s most iconic villains. Slated for a 2026 release and helmed by horror maestro Mike Flanagan, the upcoming film marks an intriguing and unexpected addition to James Gunn and Peter Safran’s vision.
Though not initially part of the announced slate back in January 2023, ‘Clayface’ is now officially moving forward. Moreover, fans can credit a pitch that Gunn couldn’t resist.
James Gunn On The Unlikely Birth Of DCU’s Horror Experiment ‘Clayface’
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, James Gunn opened up about how the film came to be, what fans can expect, and how the infamous shapeshifter will be integrated into the newly rebooted DC Universe. Finally, Clayface is a confirmed part of Chapter 1. Moreover, Gunn is no stranger to the weird, the wild, and the unexpected. From ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ to ‘Peacemaker’, his career has been built on turning unlikely characters into household names.
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However, even he admits he didn’t initially see Clayface coming. Gunn recalled how horror filmmaker Mike Flanagan reached out early in his tenure at DC Studios with a passionate pitch. “He texted me about it really early on in my DC journey,” Gunn shared. “Just being honest, I did not think that was something that was going to happen. But he came in and pitched the idea, and I was like, ‘Oh s***! That’s cool.’”
And cool it is. Flanagan’s approach turns Clayface’s tragic tale into a full-blown body horror story. The film will take a bold creative direction rarely explored in comic book movies. “It’s a horror movie that, like any cool body horror movie, just happens to be in the DCU,” Gunn added. He explained how Flanagan’s script was compelling enough to warrant immediate development. “The first script was great, and then this new draft is even better…. The movie’s definitely getting made.”
One of the most interesting revelations is how Clayface will integrate with the rest of the DCU. When asked if this would be the same version of Clayface seen in ‘Creature Commandos’, Gunn teased, “I think that everyone will find that out.” Rumors suggest the film will follow a B-movie actor. In desperation he injects himself with a mysterious substance, only to mutate into the monstrous Clayface.
James Gunn Deleted A Shot From ‘Superman’ After Fan Ridicule
As the countdown begins to James Gunn’s debut ‘Superman‘ film (July 11), he’s proving that he’s not just a creator behind the curtain, he’s listening to the audience, too. In a rare move, Gunn recently addressed fan feedback that led to the deletion of a controversial scene from the film. He acknowledged that a clip featuring David Corenswet’s Superman flying sparked widespread online ridicule.
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Fans claimed the shot looked like a “CG superimposed thing,” and Gunn didn’t disagree. “It wasn’t a finished visual effects shot,” he said. “It was a photograph of a drone flying in front of an actual background… kind of got by me.” While he noted that it was only meant as a TV commercial and not part of the actual film, he still took action and removed the shot. It’s a telling moment. Gunn’s commitment to quality isn’t just about big scripts and big names. It’s about every frame, every decision, and every fan comment.
