The Penguin gets confirmed in James Gunn’s DC Universe through new Clayface set pH๏τos. Following Gunn’s Superman movie, the DCU’s Chapter 1: “Gods and Monsters” slate is reimagining several famous superheroes and villains from the comic book canon, including the Batman mythology.
The Clayface movie is currently filming, starring Tom Rhys Harries as the тιтular foe, with the story focusing on an actor trying to stay relevant in Hollywood before being turned into the famous shape-shifter. However, the 2026 installment is already teasing various fan-favorite characters from the Dark Knight’s canon.
While principal pH๏τography is underway in Liverpool, UK, @batmanjubileee shared new set pH๏τos with more Easter eggs and closer looks at the Gotham City that Gunn’s franchise is building. Namely, one prominent DC villain who is now being spotted amid production is The Penguin himself.
Click here to see The Penguin set pH๏τo from Clayface.
With more graffiti sprayed on various walls in Gotham, a poster is featured that tells citizens to “behold the Penguin Man,” featuring an image of a character who resembles Oswald Cobblepot. There is also graffiti highlighting the Joker as well, with the phrase “Jokers Rule,” reaffirming the Clown Prince of Crime’s presence in this continuity.
What Clayface’s Penguin Set PH๏τo Means
Similar to what’s indicated by Clayface‘s Joker set pH๏τos, Oswald is most likely not going to make a full appearance in the 2026 entry. Currently, no one has been announced to be playing the super-villain, and this is more of an Easter egg to establish that several of Batman’s enemies are already at large in this franchise.
Because the DCU timeline is established to focus on heroes and villains who are already far into their journeys, it makes sense to allude to a major character like Penguin. If Bruce Wayne is already operating as a crime fighter, that justifies someone as big as Oswald to be deep into his arc as an enemy.
Our Take On Clayface’s Penguin Set PH๏τo
As more Batman villains are teased through James Watkins’ horror movie, it’s fun to see DC Studios hitting at so many of his enemies this early. Once The Brave and the Bold movie actually happens, the door is open for any of these foes to show up, when they’re already confirmed to exist in Gunn’s franchise.
Since the cast and crew are still only a month into shooting, there may be even more Easter eggs that are revealed in future set pH๏τos, which confirm additional DC villains active in this Gotham City. But for now, as Clayface continues filming, we see the world of Batman gradually taking shape in DC Studios’ new superhero reboot.
