For months, fans of the DC Universe have been eagerly dissecting every breadcrumb that could hint at the direction of James Gunn’s Batman. As the DCU carefully lays the foundation for its interconnected world, Batman has naturally remained the character with the biggest expectations. He’s not only one of DC’s core heroes, but arguably the most iconic superhero of all time.
That makes every supposed clue a point of fascination. However, now many of those clues, especially those tied to set photos from the upcoming ‘Clayface‘ movie, may not mean what fans initially thought they did. In fact, thanks to new clarifications from Gunn himself, interpretations around the DCU’s Batman lore are being re-evaluated in a major way.
The ‘Clayface’ Set Photos Aren’t The Canon Goldmine We Thought
One of the biggest sources of speculation surrounding the DCU’s Batman came from set photos of the 2026 ‘Clayface’ movie. Fans spotted graffiti, posters, and visual references that appeared to hint at Gotham’s criminal ecosystem. This included nods to the Joker, the Penguin, and even Batman’s first Robin. These seemingly minor background elements sparked theories about the DCU’s timeline.
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However, James Gunn has stepped in to clarify just how much weight these so-called “clues” should carry. And the answer is: not much at all. Speaking to IGN, Gunn explained that the details fans have been analyzing weren’t necessarily intentional components of the DCU canon. He revealed that some art department elements may not have been approved, or even reviewed.
Gunn even mentioned that some things, like a bat insignia seen in photos, might not have been on-set originally and could have been added after the fact. He also made it clear that there’s a dedicated figure overseeing continuity details across the DCU, including maps, celebrities, locations, and lore. And according to Gunn, a lot of what appeared in those Clayface set photo leaks wasn’t vetted.
References to a Joker-inspired gang or Penguin’s background may not reflect anything meaningful about the DCU’s Gotham. It’s a surprising twist, and it wipes the slate clean in many ways. The exciting hints people thought they were piecing together may have just been set dressing, not storytelling. That said, ‘Clayface’ itself is still positioned to play a role in the DCU’s expanding tapestry.
James Gunn Clears The Air On Batman’s Release Date Rumors
While there’s still a lot of mystery, one thing became much clearer, the release timeline. Rumors had been circulating that ‘The Brave and the Bold’, might not arrive until as late as 2030 or 2031. This speculation made sense to some fans, given the ongoing ‘The Batman’ franchise starring Robert Pattinson, which returns with Part II in 2027.
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However, Gunn wasted no time shutting that down. Responding directly to a fan on Threads, Gunn was asked whether a 2030–2031 release was being considered for ‘The Brave and the Bold’. “No,” he simply stated. No explanations, no timeline offered. Just a definitive rejection of the long delay people were assuming. And while he didn’t offer a specific release year, the clarity of his response suggests that the project is intended to move faster than outsiders might think.
Right now, the script is still being developed, and Andy Muschietti is locked in to direct. The intention is for the film to introduce an already-established Batman rather than another origin story. It will also adapt elements from Grant Morrison’s comic run, including Bruce’s relationship with his son, Damian Wayne, who will serve as Robin. Even without a date, timelines are easy to infer, and 2028 is looking increasingly likely.
