James Gunn Reveals Why Clayface Movie Comes Before Batman in DCU Gods & Monsters

When DC Studios announced that Clayface would be the third movie in its new Gods & Monsters chapter, fans had mixed reactions. Some were surprised. Others were confused. After all, this iconic Batman villain is getting his own movie before the DCU introduces its new Batman in The Brave and the Bold. Now, James Gunn, co-head of DC Studios, has explained why.

It All Started With a Script

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Gunn revealed the reason for fast-tracking Clayface, and it had everything to do with one person — Mike Flanagan.

Flanagan, known for his work in horror, wrote a screenplay for Clayface that impressed Gunn right away. In fact, Gunn said he didn’t originally see Clayface as part of the early DCU lineup. But Flanagan texted him with a pitch early on, and Gunn was hooked.

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“It’s a body horror movie,” Gunn said. “It just happens to be in the DCU.” According to him, the script was so good that they didn’t want to wait. It wasn’t about characters fitting in a certain order. It was about telling a great story.

DCU Needs Content Now

Gunn also mentioned something practical. The DCU needed content to build momentum. With the Superman reboot coming in 2025, there’s space to introduce new and unexpected projects in the meantime. Clayface fits into that window perfectly.

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So rather than waiting for Batman or Wonder Woman, they’re rolling out Clayface to offer something unique and different — a dark, twisted horror film inside a superhero world.

What About Batman?

Gunn assured fans that The Brave and the Bold is still very much happening. It’s just in earlier development stages. The script is being written, but the writer hasn’t been revealed yet. Gunn is closely supervising it.

That means Batman is on the way. But for now, Clayface is stepping into the spotlight.

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FAQs

Why is Clayface being released before Batman in the DCU?

James Gunn loved Mike Flanagan’s Clayface script and saw an opportunity to add a unique horror film to the DCU lineup early on.

Is Clayface part of the Gods & Monsters chapter?

Yes, it’s the third film in Gods & Monsters, following Superman and another yet-to-be-named project.

Will Clayface connect to Batman?

While Clayface is traditionally a Batman villain, this film is said to stand on its own for now. The full connection will likely develop later in the DCU.

When does the new Superman movie release?

The new DCU Superman film is set to hit theaters on July 11, 2025.