Clayface fans think a DCU movie hides a Man of Tomorrow easter egg

Here we go then – if you blinked during Clayface, you might have missed a sly nod that’s got DC diehards talking. Nerd sleuths reckon there’s a link to next year’s Man of Tomorrow, and going by the online chatter, people are far too excited about bottled cities for their own good.

Clayface premiered in cinemas as the DCU's first R-rated outing.

Spot the hidden Brainiac

To set the scene, Clayface is the third entry in James Gunn’s shiny new DC Studios run, jumping into Gotham’s muddy waters but swerving an actual appearance from Batman – though he clearly looms over proceedings. The film serves up an origin tale for Matt Hagen (that’s Clayface to you and me), but amidst all the flesh-melting and body horror, there’s apparently an eyebrow-raising scene with heavy Superman undertones.

Fans on X (yes, we’re still calling it that, apparently) say a character named Caitlin floats the idea that the government could have Matt locked up for study – UFO bunkers, Area 51, the full conspiracy picnic. What really sticks out, though, is her suggestion about being “collected in a bottle or pod.” It’s a weirdly specific choice of words, and folks think it’s a deliberate wink at Brainiac, the infamous DC villain who collects miniature cities in jars like some cosmic hobbyist. According to another post, Man of Tomorrow is set to feature Brainiac with his own “bottle collection room”, which feels too on the nose to be coincidence.

What it means for Man of Tomorrow

It’s not just wishful thinking, either. In DC Comics, Brainiac’s got form for kidnapping entire city populations—most notably Kandor, Superman’s home city—then shrinking and bottling them for his shelves back on his spacecraft. Now that Man of Tomorrow is confirmed for 9 July 2027, we might actually see all this foreshadowing pay off.

The sequel picks up with David Corenswet as Superman, carrying the cape after the last reboot. This time, he’s teaming up with Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor – yes, that’s right, the blue-eyed devil himself. Add in Aaron Pierre as John Stewart (fresh from Lanterns) and Xolo Maridueña’s Blue Beetle, and it’s clear the DCU is out to stitch these films together, even if the links are a bit cryptic for now.

Clayface’s place in Gotham

Back to Clayface – it’s in cinemas now, and despite ditching a proper Batman cameo, it’s done a solid job of carving out Gotham’s grimy vibe. It’s the first R-rated release under the current DC banner, which basically means more body horror and less caped crusader. Early reviews are positive and it’s tracking a strong opening, so expect more not-so-family-friendly entries down the road.

DC Studios haven’t said yet if Clayface will pop up in future crossovers, and the next film after Man of Tomorrow hasn’t been nailed down either. It wouldn’t be DC if the roadmap wasn’t as clear as mud.

• Clayface: In cinemas now (first DCU R-rated film)
• Man of Tomorrow: Arrives July 9, 2027 (Superman returns, Brainiac teased)