James Gunn has shared new updates on the DCU, confirming that the Batman villain film Clayface will debut before The Batman – Part II and The Brave and the Bold. The Batman left audiences hungry for more content featuring The Caped Crusader. It was a fresh take on the superhero that established a darker version of Gotham, which deserves further exploration. While The Penguin quenched this thirst slightly, Batman wasn’t in the series, and The Penguin‘s finale ends with a Batman tease that leaves viewers eager to see the character return.

Meanwhile, audiences also want to see what Batman will look like in Gunn’s DCU. Gunn announced The Brave and the Bold, stating it will star an older Bruce Wayne and introduce Robin and other members of the Bat family. Batman’s DCU debut, however, happened with a brief appearance in Creature Commandos. The animated series also included the villain Clayface, a powerful shapeshifter who is a common antagonist for the world’s greatest detective. After watching Creature Commandos, I can’t believe we’re getting the Clayface movie before the DCU’s Batman or The Batman – Part II.

James Gunn Has Confirmed Clayface Releases In Fall 2026

Clayface comes from the terrifying mind of Mike Flanagan

Recent reports revealed that DC Studios was developing a Clayface movie. Clayface, a.k.a. Basil Karlo, is a nearly indestructible villain who has the form of a giant clay monster but can shapeshift into any human form. The script for the film is to be written by Mike Flanagan, a horror mastermind who’s made films like Gerald’s Game and Doctor Sleep and shows like The Haunting of Hill House. At a recent DC event attended by ScreenRant, Safran and Gunn confirmed Clayface is in development, and they are in negotiations with Speak No Evil‘s James Watkins to direct.

Gunn and Safran also confirmed that Clayface will be released in Fall 2026 and will be “an incredible body horror film.” Clayface recently made his DCU debut in Creature Commandos, battling Frankenstein and Rick Flag Sr. After seeing how strong and brutal the character can be, it’s no surprise that the upcoming film will lean into horror territory. Clayface has a more comedic personality in the Harley Quinn animated series, but the DCU’s version will be a darker, more horrifying depiction of the villain.

We’re Still Years Away From The DCU’s Batman Movie And The Batman 2

Audiences will have to wait a while before any live-action Batman movies

Reports on the Clayface movie first emerged in December 2024, meaning the film will be made within two years of its announcement. Meanwhile, few details are known about The Brave and the Bold, and The Batman – Part II won’t be released until five years after its predecessor. The Batman – Part II recently got delayed to October 2027, two years after its original release date. The Batman isn’t part of the DCU, but Matt Reeves is planning to make this series a trilogy, and it’s concerning how long it’s taking to get this movie going.

Meanwhile, Gunn and Safran haven’t announced who will play the DCU’s Batman, and the film’s release date is still unconfirmed. The only known detail is the director, The Flash‘s Andy Muschietti. However, the film is still in the early development stages, as the script isn’t yet complete. I’m surprised that DC Studios fast-tracked Clayface before its Batman film, but it sounds like Flanagan had a great story idea while Gunn is slowly developing the perfect Batman story.

Why Clayface Releasing Before The Brave & The Bold And The Batman 2 Could Be A Good Thing

Clayface is a promising move for the DCU’s future

Clayface is a weird project for DC Studios, but that’s also why I’m excited about it. It’s a bold move to make a solo film about one of Batman’s more obscure villains, especially when superhero movies aren’t as consistent at the box office as they used to be. The idea of a body horror movie is also intriguing, and it will likely be rated R, based on the level of violence that Gunn introduced in Creature Commandos. However, creative filmmakers are pioneering Clayface, which stands out as its most promising aspect.

Gunn is an excellent filmmaker and understands the value of having unique visions infused into superhero projects. The MCU has a connective story, but its best movies are ones where the directors add some flare, such as Guardians of the Galaxy or Thor: Ragnarok. Flanagan is a fantastic director and writer, especially for horror. While I wish he was directing it, I’m more optimistic about the DCU if Gunn allows more filmmakers to tell great stories with DC characters, even if it changes his plans – with Clayface serving as an example.

Upcoming DC Movie Releases

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  The Batman Part II

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  October 1, 2027
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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