The DCU’s R-Rated Batman Movie Gets Surprise Update From James Gunn

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I’m really excited about what DC Studios is planning for Batman! Even before James Gunn officially picks the actor who will play Bruce Wayne in The Brave and The Bold, it sounds like one of Batman’s biggest enemies is going to finally appear in a movie in 2026. It’s great to see them diving so deep into Batman’s world already!

The upcoming Clayface movie is currently being filmed, with Tom Rhys Harries set to play Matt Hagen. James Gunn recently marked the character’s comic book anniversary on X (formerly Twitter), and used the opportunity to give DCU fans a sneak peek at what they can expect in the 2026 film.

DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn celebrated Clayface’s anniversary, acknowledging the character is often misunderstood. He also expressed excitement for actor Tom Rhys Harries’ upcoming portrayal of Clayface in a future film.

Clayface is usually shown as a dangerous villain with the power to change his shape, especially in DC cartoons. But some of the most well-known versions of the character explore a sadder side: he’s an actor who is disfigured and desperately tries to fix his career, ultimately becoming a criminal in Gotham City.

Credit: Ian West/PA Images/INSTARimages

I’m really excited about the upcoming R-rated horror film in the first chapter of the DCU, ‘Gods and Monsters’! We’ve already seen some set photos suggesting Matt will go through a seriously tragic change, and it looks like it’s going to be pretty intense. I recently read an interview with the writer, Mike Flanagan, where he said the story is hugely inspired by the classic two-part episode, “Feat of Clay,” from Batman: The Animated Series. It’s awesome to know they’re pulling from such a great source!

Absolutely. ‘Feat of Clay,’ with Ron Perlman, was the perfect story – it really blew me away. That two-part episode was the direct inspiration for my script. It created the world I wanted to build. Growing up, Batman: The Animated Series was my definitive Batman. While I loved Michael Keaton as Batman, the animated series truly defined the character for me.

James Gunn’s description of Clayface as a “perennially misunderstood villain” hints that the upcoming movie might draw inspiration from recent DC comics. In those stories, Clayface surprisingly became an ally to Batman and his team. This suggests that Bashir Salahuddin’s first appearance as the character in 2026 won’t be the last, and we can expect to see him again in future DC projects.

Filming began on August 31, 2025, with James Watkins directing the new DC Studios comic book movie. Naomi Ackie and Max Minghella are starring in the film, which will be the third installment in the DC Universe timeline.

DC Studios hasn’t announced what they have planned for Matt Reeves after his recent movie, but hints about future plans might appear within the current storyline. The film Clayface is scheduled to be released in theaters on September 11, 2026.

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2025-10-27 01:18