James Gunn says he’s not trying to play paint by numbers with the new DC film universe and prime example is the upcoming “Clayface” movie written by Mike Flanagan…
The success of “Superman” isn’t going to completely change the direction of the DC film universe because James Gunn promises each movie released by the studio is going to have its own signature style.
Look no further than the upcoming “Clayface” adaptation starring Tom Rhys Harries based on a member of Batman’s famed rogue’s gallery with “Speak No Evil” director James Watkins behind the camera with horror favorite Mike Flanagan providing the script.
While little is known about the actual plot of the movie, Gunn says “Clayface” is unlike anything else seen before in the DC Universe and he expects to scare a few people along the way when the movie is finally released on September 11, 2026.
“‘Clayface’ is a totally different thing,” Gunn told CBS Mornings. “Although it’s in the same universe, it’s a complete horror film, and that’s one of the things we want to do. There’s not a company style. It’s not like every movie is gonna be like ‘Superman.’ The artists and the directors and the writers that create each one will bring their own sense to it. … We don’t want people being bored.”
That’s an interesting premise, especially given Gunn’s own history with horror films after he started out working with B-movie haven Troma and then ended up writing movies like the “Dawn of the Dead” remake directed by Zack Snyder. Gunn always maintained a passion for horror films throughout his career and it looks like he’s bringing some of that style to the new “Clayface” movie.
The premise of the film centers around a B-movie actor who becomes a walking piece of clay after injecting himself with a substance in an attempt to keep himself relevant.
The film is being shot on a modest $40 million budget — pennies on the dollar compared to most superhero movies — with production kicking off this year ahead of the 2026 release date.
