The DC Universe under James Gunn is starting to take shape, and the latest development has fans buzzing with excitement as Gotham’s most infamous villain has finally been teased. With production on ‘Clayface’ officially underway in Liverpool, set photos are surfacing online.
And unsurprisingly, fans have already spotted the first reference to the Joker in DCU continuity. While ‘The Brave and the Bold’ is still in development, Gunn and DC Studios are laying breadcrumbs for the Caped Crusader’s corner of the universe through spinoffs and connected films.
The Joker Is Very Much A Part Of The New DCU
‘Clayface’ is set to introduce one of Batman’s most unique villains in live-action for the first time. It will also mark the DCU’s first R-rated movie within its main continuity. Directed by James Watkins with a script from Mike Flanagan, the project is already shaping up to be a darker and more disturbing dive into Gotham than fans have ever seen. Now, with set photos hinting at the Joker’s presence, it feels like the DCU is quietly weaving together the threads of Batman’s iconic rogues’ gallery.
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The new set photos don’t show Joaquin Phoenix, Barry Keoghan, or any actor in clown makeup. However, they do confirm one very important thing: the Joker exists in James Gunn’s DCU. The clue came in the form of background details, posters, and graffiti featuring “The Jokers,” a name that suggests either a direct nod to the villain himself or a gang that follows in his chaotic footsteps. It’s a clever way to ground Gotham in a lived-in world.
Even if Joker doesn’t appear in ‘Clayface’, the references remind us that Batman’s enemies are already part of this ecosystem. Gotham is alive with crime, corruption, and chaos, and the Joker is clearly leaving his fingerprints on the city. For fans, this tease carries weight. The Joker has always been inseparable from Batman’s story. So, knowing he’s already present in the DCU means the universe doesn’t need to retell his origin.
Instead, we may see a Joker who’s already established, already feared, and already shaping Gotham long before Bruce Wayne dons the cape and cowl in ‘The Brave and the Bold‘. And given how ‘Clayface’ is leaning into psychological horror, this Easter egg may also foreshadow how Gotham’s most notorious villains influence each other.
‘Clayface’ Set Photos Revealed Tom Rhys Harries’ Brutal Transformation
Of course, the star of this new project is Clayface himself. The set photos via JustJared don’t just tease Joker; they also reveal our first proper look at Tom Rhys Harries, who is reportedly playing the Matt Hagen version of the shapeshifting villain. Harries has been spotted on set in Liverpool in scenes that suggest his character is already going through something horrific. Photos show him bruised, bloodied, and rushed to a hospital.
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This imagery perfectly aligns with Clayface’s tragic descent into monstrosity. The fact that Clayface is being treated as an R-rated film speaks volumes about the creative direction. This isn’t a stylized comic-book adaptation with safe edges. Fans can expect a Gothic, visceral take on a character whose very existence is body horror. Additionally, Clayface’s story practically begs for disturbing imagery.
By leaning into that horror, the DCU is proving it’s willing to diversify tones across its lineup. While ‘Superman’ provided a hopeful cornerstone to Gunn’s reboot, Batman’s corner of the DCU is shaping up to be darker. If ‘Clayface’ works, it could establish a formula where spinoffs explore Batman’s villains in greater depth before they even clash with the Dark Knight himself.
