Is Batman in the DCU’s Clayface Movie?

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The first trailer for the upcoming DC horror movie, Clayface, is here! The film tells the story of Matt Hagen, an actor whose career is taking off until a violent attack ruins his face. He then undergoes experimental surgery that turns his body into clay. While this is Clayface’s first live-action movie appearance, the character has been a villain in the DC universe for decades, often battling Batman – and fans are wondering if the Dark Knight will appear in the film.

Clayface is most well-known for appearing in various Batman adaptations, including video games like LEGO Batman and Arkham City, and the animated series Batman: The Animated Series (the episode “Feat of Clay” heavily influenced the new film). However, Batman himself won’t be in the Clayface movie, as far as we currently know. No actor has been chosen to play Batman in the DC Universe yet, and it would be unexpected to see him debut in this film instead of his own standalone movie.

Can Clayface Work Without Batman?

I get why people are wondering where Batman is in this Clayface project – he’s usually right there with the character, isn’t he? But we’ve seen this approach before, with Joker. That film was a huge hit, critically and commercially, though the sequel, Folie à Deux, didn’t quite land. And The Penguin, while a bit different as a spin-off from The Batman, has actually become one of the best things DC’s done on TV. Clayface isn’t as famous a villain as Joker or Penguin, and honestly, I think that’s a good thing. It gives the story more freedom, letting Clayface – and his powers – be a little more adaptable and surprising.

As a huge movie fan, I’m really intrigued by this take on Clayface. He seems less like a typical bad guy and more like a genuinely tragic figure, and the trailer hints at a really compelling backstory. They’re not necessarily turning him into a hero, but it looks like he’s motivated by revenge and is deeply tormented – which, honestly, makes you want to understand him, maybe even sympathize with him. Plus, with all the really unsettling body horror they’re leaning into, this could be a totally different kind of DC film. And that’s great, especially since Batman isn’t involved – it allows this movie to really stand on its own.

Even though Batman himself won’t be in the initial DCU projects, his presence will still be felt. We’ll definitely see Gotham City, and early looks at the city are promising. This will give us clues about Batman’s current status: is he still active? Is he a legendary figure criminals fear? And how do recent set photos hinting at both Clayface and the Joker connect to the larger story?

The story will delve into the darker side of the DC Universe, giving us clues about its future direction. This could also be an important step towards eventually seeing Batman join the franchise, though that’s likely still some time away.

Clayface will be released on October 23rd, 2026.

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2026-04-22 22:16