Meanwhile, James Gunn has addressed the DCU’s Batman, saying, “it’s not what’s happening right now. Everything’s in flux, so we’ll figure out what we’re doing next.” This means that details about the DCU’s exact Batman haven’t been decided yet. Integrating Robert Pattinson’s Batman into the DCU would force James Gunn and Andy Muschietti to commit to Matt Reeves’ vision indefinitely.

Most importantly, animated and live-action projects coexist in James Gunn’s DCU. Both the Batman and the Clayface featured in Creature Commandos are the same versions who will appear in The Brave and the Bold and Clayface, respectively. Hence, the DCU’s Batman has already sent multiple fantastical villains to prison, and Tom Rhys Harries’ Clayface exists in the same continuity as David Corenswet’s Superman and the Justice Gang.

Also spotted on James Watkins’ Clayface set were signs and cups sporting the “Jitters Coffee” brand, with Tom Rhys Harries’ protagonist even holding a cup himself. Jitters Coffee is a fictional brand with a continuous presence in the DCU. Peacemaker season 2’s Keeya works at Jitters Coffee, and David Corenswet’s Clark Kent arrives at the Daily Bugle holding a cup of Jitters at the beginning of Superman.

The Clayface Theory Highlights A DCU Strength Even If It Doesn’t Come True

Clayface being a secret part of Matt Reeves and James Gunn’s shared DCU-The Batman franchise still seems unlikely. However, all the similarities between Clayface and the The Batman universe are testament to the quality of Reeves’ vision. At least in spirit, Clayface may become proof that Matt Reeves’ The Batman is the ultimate modernization of both the Dark Knight and Gotham City.

Some ideas are so good that they’re reused in unrelated projects. For example, Harley Quinn made her jump into the comics, TV, and movies following her introduction in Batman: The Animated Series. Similarly, after Tim Burton’s Batman, almost every live-action Batman actor has worn an all-black Batsuit. Over at Marvel, both Phil Coulson and the JARVIS AI were quickly incorporated into the comics.

Likewise, James Gunn’s DCU might use many similar elements that made Matt Reeves’ The Batman a DC phenomenon. A similar Gotham City, a similar GCPD, and a similar look into the city’s corruption would help the DCU’s Gotham feel alive and familiar. But even then, DC Studios will likely make sure the distinction between both continuities is clear to audiences.

That said, there’s still a chance that Clayface will be independent enough from the rest of the DCU to allow for headcanons. James Gunn has repeatedly clarified that each DCU insallment can be enjoyed as a standalone story. Therefore, Clayface may be an official part of the DCU, but whoever wishes to see its self-contained origin story as part of a different franchise may be able to do so.