James Gunn has explained why Clayface will be the third feature film set within the DCU.
The DCU officially kicked off earlier this month with the premiere of the animated Creature Commandos series. Gunn’s Superman film is scheduled to be released in July 2025, while Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow has been given a June 2026 release date.
It was also recently announced that Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass) had written a script for a Clayface movie that will be released in September 2026. A director is not attached to the project at this time.
On Threads, Gunn was asked why Clayface would be the third DCU film instead of a more prominent character in DC Comics such as Wonder Woman or Flash.
“Because of the number one rule here at DC: No movie will be greenlit before the script is ready. And [Flanagan’s] script was ready.”
Regarding Flash, Gunn also commented, “And as for the Flash we’re holding a beat on development.”
No movie set within the DCU starring the Flash has been announced at this time. Having said that, there is also a Teen Titans movie in development and, while the roster of characters who will be included in the film hasn’t been announced, Wally West/The Flash is a founding member of the team in DC Comics lore. The last movie featuring the Scarlet Speedster was 2023’s The Flash, which was directed by Andy Muschietti and starred Ezra Miller as Barry Allen.
Speaking with i09, Gunn also discussed how the plans for a Clayface movie came to fruition in such a quick time frame.
“I didn’t plan on making a Clayface movie,” Gunn said. “Mike came in. He pitched this wonderful idea. I was like, ‘Damn, I can’t believe you got me to want to make a Clayface movie.’ But he’s got to write the script and who knows how that’s going to work. He goes and he writes the script. First draft is great. Second draft is even better. And then I’m like, ‘Let’s do it.’ So we found a place for it because if there’s quality stuff, we can find a way to work it in.”
Clayface will be released in United States theaters on September 11, 2026.