Gunn On “Clayface” Date & DCU Development

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Two weeks ago came the news that DC Studios had officially given the green light to a live-action feature film about Batman villain Clayface with beloved genre filmmaker Mike Flanagan penning the script for what’s dubbed a “standalone tragedy-laced horror/thriller”.

At the time it wasn’t clear if the character will be a part of the DCU or an Elseworlds-style project. Now James Gunn has confirmed it is indeed a part of the DCU, the third DCU movie to be released following “Superman” and “Supergirl”.

On Threads, Gunn was asked why Clayface would be the third DCU film instead of more prominent characters, to which he says: “Because of the number one rule here at DC: No movie will be greenlit before the script is ready. And [Flanagan’s] script was ready.”

He also quickly added that no Flash film is planned at present: “As for the Flash we’re holding a beat on development.” Meanwhile in a separate chat with io9, Gunn explained how “Clayface” came together:

“I didn’t plan on making a Clayface movie. Mike came in. He pitched this wonderful idea. I was like, ‘Damn, I can’t believe you got me to want to make a Clayface movie.’ But he’s got to write the script and who knows how that’s going to work. He goes and he writes the script. First draft is great. Second draft is even better. And then I’m like, ‘Let’s do it.’ So we found a place for it because if there’s quality stuff, we can find a way to work it in.”

He also says he’s not worried about it opening just one month apart from the upcoming “The Batman: Part II” movie which is a non-DCU ‘Elseworlds’ title, saying: “Well, I mean, Clayface is in the DCU so it doesn’t matter.”

Gunn also tackled some other DC titles that have been rumored about, suggesting you shouldn’t believe some of the ones you hear:

“There are lots of things that are getting reported that I haven’t green-lit and I haven’t said okay too. Some of those are true in terms of they’re in development, and some of them are not true. [And just] because they’re in development, that doesn’t mean I’m going to make that movie. There’s a lot of things people seem to be counting on that it may be unwise to count on.”

“Clayface” will be released in United States theaters on September 11th 2026.