James Gunn Says Clayface Will Return in a Future DCU Project

James Gunn said Clayface will appear again in a future DC Universe project, while early screening reactions have praised the film’s graphic body horror, dark tone and lead performance. The project’s next appearance has not been identified, and the reactions so far represent a limited set of early responses rather than a broad assessment of the film. Clayface, a DC Studios horror film centered on the Batman villain, is scheduled to open in theaters on October 23, 2026. Tom Rhys Harries stars as Matt Hagen, the aspiring Hollywood actor who becomes the shapeshifting character. The film is directed by James Watkins, with a screenplay by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini. Reviewers and viewers who saw early screenings have highlighted the film’s violent horror sequences and unsettling atmosphere. Some also praised Harries’ portrayal of Hagen, describing a performance that combines charm and menace. The reactions characterize the film as darker and more graphic than a conventional superhero movie, but they do not establish how audiences or critics broadly will respond after release.