Not into a Clayface DCU movie? James Gunn has other ideas
James Gunn has given short shrift to DCU grumbles over a Clayface movie, responding on Threads with a pointed defence.
In typical fashion, the internet is in a flap over DC's next risk: a film about Clayface, due out 23 October 2026, and people aren't being quiet about it. The main complaint? Apparently no one remembers asking for a film about a bloke who can turn his body into anything, which is a bit rich coming from a fandom that's spent decades clamouring for more offbeat stories between the usual Batmen and Supermen.
Clayface arrives in cinemas on 23 October 2026.
Clayface? Really?
So when a fan piped up on Threads and basically said 'Who on earth wanted a Clayface movie?', director James Gunn decided he'd heard enough. Gunn, who's probably tired of being asked to justify every weird or fresh choice in the DCU, decided to get stuck in. Here’s how he addressed it publicly on Threads:
‘Who tf asked for Back to the Future? Casablanca? There’s Something About Mary? Pan’s Labyrinth? Fury Road? Weapons? The Matrix? Although it may seem like it, Hollywood isn’t a place where the only way to make a movie is the public voting on what IP they want to see that they’ve seen countless times before.’
He didn't leave it there, either. Gunn made a point of explaining this is one of those cases where actual creative types got inspired by a lesser-known character, rather than just recycling the biggest brands:
First, writer and horror aficionado Mike Flanagan came up with the core story, then James Watkins signed on to direct, with Hossein Amini helping out on the script. Gunn reckons that's far more promising than another soulless blockbuster based on a character everyone already knows backwards. For once, they're betting on someone’s passion project — whether that pays off is anyone’s guess.
The Grim Side of Gotham
As for what the actual film's about — Clayface (Tom Rhys Harries) is Matt Hagen, a fellow from Gotham who gets his face demolished by a local crime boss. He tries a dodgy medical fix to repair the damage, and, as you can guess, it goes quite badly. Next thing, he's a literal shape-shifting monster, angry at the world, stomping about Gotham on a quest for vengeance (and possibly a slightly less gooey existence).
The supporting cast features names like Ruby Sear, Eddie Marsan, Naomi Ackie, Max Minghella, Daniel Betts, Sam Hazeldine, Sonita Henry, Nancy Carroll, and Tanya Moodie — so, a proper ensemble. On the production side, Gunn isn't doing it alone: Matt Reeves, Lynn Harris, and Peter Safran are producers. Flanagan is on board as executive producer, alongside Trevor Macy, Chantal Nong Vo, Paul Ritchie, Michael E. Uslan, and Lars P. Winther.
At this stage, the only thing that's clear is DC fans may not agree on whether anyone 'asked' for Clayface, but come release day, they're probably going to turn up just to see how bonkers it gets.