Joker’s story in James Gunn’s DC Universe might have been teased by new R-rated Batman villain movie set pH๏τos, and a DC theory explains how this version of the Clown Prince of Crime might be different from other movie Jokers. The character is undoubtedly Batman’s most popular villain, having appeared in multiple live-action Batman movies, with beloved stars playing the Joker.
At the moment, the timeline for the release of Batman’s The Brave and the Bold movie, the Dark Knight’s formal entry into the DCU, is still unclear. However, DC is fleshing out its new universe’s Gotham City across multiple projects in the DCU’s Chapter One. One of them happens to be a Batman villain movie, which now teases the Joker.
Clayface Set PH๏τos Tease The Joker’s DCU Story
After appearing in the animated Creature Commandos, Clayface will lead a solo movie in the DCU. Clayface will be released in theaters on September 11, 2026. The R-rated horror movie takes place in Gotham City, and with filming for Clayface currently happening, DC fans have been able to get a peek into what the DCU’s Gotham and Batman corner looks like.
While no actor has been cast as the DCU’s Joker, the Batman villain is teased twice in Clayface set pH๏τos. In one of them, graffiti on a wall reads “The Jokers.” After the first image emerged, @whitewidow616 shared on X a new Clayface set pH๏τo teasing the DCU Joker, with a poster asking citizens to march against the GCPD, stating, “Join The Joker.”
DCU Theory – The Joker Is The Face Of A Movement
The two Clayface set pH๏τos related to the Joker are interesting, as they appear to hint at the Batman villain’s DCU story. “The Jokers” graffiti seems like a clear tease that the villain is either the leader of a gang or that people are becoming inspired by the Joker to act. The poster shows that the Joker has some level of acceptance from the public.
A new DC Universe theory showcases how the DCU Joker could be different from most of the live-action Jokers that came before him. Instead of simply being a force of chaos or a gangster, the DCU Joker would be a deeply intelligent character who uses the mᴀsses in his favor. Batman would have a harder time fighting a Joker with a good public image.
How James Gunn’s Clayface Comments Impact The DCU Joker Theory
What plays against the new DCU theory are James Gunn’s latest comments about the Clayface set pH๏τos. Speaking to IGN, Gunn said fans should keep in mind that the Clayface set decorations were put together by the movie’s art department. What it means is that neither he nor Phil, DC’s man in charge of keeping the DCU canon consistent across projects, have “OK’d” everything.
As such, the Joker teases should be taken with a grain of salt. Whether or not the R-rated Batman villain movie includes the Joker, be it with an actor or a reference, will have to be seen when Clayface comes to theaters next year. For the time being, the DCU Joker theory remains just that.
