The recently announced DC Studios Clayface movie is moving forward quickly as the flick now has a release date. Rumors also offer the movie will be set in the Matt Reeves and Robert Pattinson Batman universe.
When does Clayface get released?
DC announced that Clayface will be released on Sept. 11, 2026, which is prior to The Batman: Part Two on October 2, 2026. Rumors offer Clayface will also be a part of the second Robert Pattinson Batman movie. It also follows James Gunn’s Supergirl three months later, which gets released June 26, 2026.
James Gunn confirms release date, version and teases Batman connection
Gunn confirmed on Threads including an image of Clayface from the comics with Batman (above).
“Exciting news out of @DCofficial Studios today as #Clayface, a DCU story from a script by @flanaganfilm, has been OFFICIALLY greenlit. Clayface premieres in 2026,” said Gunn.
Clayface is Elseworlds
If Clayface is indeed set in the Reeves Verse, it will be part of DC Elseworlds and not a part of James Gunn’s greater DCU. Gunn has made it clear that everything not in his DCU is separate and is Elseworlds.
What we know about Clayface
Details are slim, but it is known Mike Flanagan wrote the script. He’s a horror writer and director and first pitched Clayface years ago as a “horror/thriller/tragedy.” Deadline adds in their reporting of the release date that Clayface “won’t be painted as a villain which has been his reputation, notoriously a villain to Batman.”
There’s different versions of Clayface from the comics. The more well known is the shape-changing blob of a monster. Reeves likes realism, so perhaps they are using the first version, Basil Karlo, a washed-up actor who turned to crime using the persona from one of his horror films. However, Gunn used the more popular version above, so it seems they are going with that direction.
Is Clayface set in the Reeves Batman universe?
Matt Reeves is also producing with Lynn Harris, so obviously with Reeves involved the rumors Clayface might be set in his Batman universe seem legit. Worth a mention is that Clayface, another villain movie, follows on the success of The Penguin series yet also the failed Joker 2 flick. I think it’s safe to say there is obviously no correlation between Clayface and Joker 2.
Regarding The Batman: Part Two, James Gunn recently said he is still waiting on the script. Robert Pattinson did sign for the new Christopher Nolan movie next year. It’s guessed he will be able to film both, assuming Batman 2 is ready to go. Gunn has also confirmed to fans the sequel has not been canceled.
Update: A fan questioned Gunn about the rumors about Clayface and Scarecrow joining The Batman: Part Two. Gunn replied, “Firstly, no. Secondly, couldn’t be the case as there hasn’t yet been a first draft of a script.”
Update #2: Gunn confirms the movie is DCU:
Exciting news out of @DCOfficial Studios today as #Clayface, a DCU story from a script by Mike Flanagan, has been OFFICIALLY greenlit.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) December 13, 2024
Clayface premieres in 2026.
