James Gunn’s Promise About 2026’s Batman Spinoff Is Still The Best Thing About It

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Is James Gunn solving the problem of superhero movie burnout? It’s still early days for his new DC Universe, but the success of Superman suggests he’s off to a great start. Gunn and Peter Safran were put in charge of DC Studios in late 2022, and they’re now moving forward with new projects. Next up are Supergirl, directed by Craig Gillespie, and a movie focusing on the villain Clayface, directed by James Watkins and written by horror expert Mike Flanagan, along with Hossein Amini. However, these films won’t necessarily feel like Superman – Gunn wants each movie to have its own unique style and tone. He told CBS Mornings that he doesn’t want a “company style” for the DCU, and that’s a positive thing, allowing films like Clayface to fully explore their genre potential.

First appearing in 1940 and created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, Clayface is a Batman enemy known for his ability to change shape thanks to a body made of clay. Several villains have used the Clayface name over the years, but they generally share the same powers. The latest version, as described for an upcoming film, will be a more complex character, shifting between being a villain and an ally to Batman – suggesting an anti-hero storyline.

What’s really generating excitement about this new version of the character is James Gunn’s commitment to making each DC Universe film distinct in style and allowing filmmakers to pursue their own creative visions. Gunn recently told CBS Mornings that the upcoming Clayface movie, planned for release in Fall 2026, will be drastically different from Superman and Supergirl – he described it as a complete horror film, even though it exists within the same universe. This promise of variety and unique storytelling is incredibly appealing.

Clayface’s Horror Tone Is The Best Thing To Beat Comic Book Movie Fatigue

This is quite a shift in mood from the optimistic feel of Superman. Though some might see such a big change in style as risky, James Gunn thinks it’s necessary for the DC Universe to succeed.

According to Gunn, there isn’t a single, set style for the films. Each movie benefits from the unique vision of its artists, directors, and writers. The goal is to keep things fresh and exciting for audiences, rather than letting them become bored.

James Gunn has assembled a promising team that seems poised to make a truly compelling Clayface movie. With a horror script co-written by Mike Flanagan, the story is likely to be genuinely scary and memorable. The addition of Speak No Evil director James Watkins and newcomer Tom Rhys Davies in the lead role suggests Gunn understands what went wrong with the DC Universe and is applying those lessons to avoid the pitfalls of franchise fatigue, drawing on his experience with both DC and Marvel.

We haven’t really seen a full-on horror movie within the superhero genre before. While Marvel has touched on horror themes in projects like Doctor Strange, Moon Knight, and Werewolf by Night, the focus on Clayface feels like a real shift. It shows a willingness to try new things and take risks with filmmaking, instead of just sticking to what’s already proven successful to satisfy investors. That’s exactly what the entertainment industry needs right now – whether it’s the hopeful side of Superman or the frightening and tragic story of Clayface.

The new Clayface movie is scheduled to be released on September 11, 2026. What are your thoughts? Share your opinions and discuss it with other fans in the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-10-25 18:40