James Gunn’s R-Rated Batman Movie Is Farther Along Than Initially Thought

Tom Rhys Harries, the lead actor in the upcoming DCU film Clayface, recently shared that production is more advanced than many fans realized. Clayface is set to be a unique addition to James Gunn’s DC Universe in 2026, as it will be an R-rated movie – a first for the franchise. The film centers around Matt Hagan, a former actor who becomes the villain Clayface and unleashes chaos in Gotham City.

Details about the Clayface movie’s story are still secret, but recent production updates have given fans a few hints about how it connects to the wider DC Universe. For example, the film seems to establish that Hagan is believed to have died during the story, and we’ve gotten our first look at James Gunn’s vision for Gotham City. While people expected filming to continue for several more months, a new report reveals when the production is actually scheduled to finish.

Tom Rhys Harries announced on Instagram that filming for Clayface is finishing up this week. He marked the occasion with a post saying, “Last week of [filming]:”

Filming for Clayface started in August 2025 and just wrapped up this week, right before Halloween. This means James Gunn’s R-rated Batman villain movie is further along in production than many fans realized – the entire shoot only took about two months.

It’s surprising how quickly Clayface was made, considering most superhero movies take at least six months to film. For example, Superman filmed from February to July of 2024. This fast pace likely reflects the film’s smaller budget and represents a change in strategy from the previous DC Universe films.

Okay, so I’m really excited about this new DC movie, Clayface! It’s directed by James Watkins, and the script is by Mike Flanagan – a fantastic combo, if you ask me. The cast is looking great too, with Tom Rhys Harries, Naomi Ackie, and Max Minghella all on board. But here’s the really interesting part: some set photos suggest this could be the first prequel in the new DC Universe, and they even spotted a poster with the Flying Graysons! If that’s true, we’re in for a treat. It’s currently scheduled to hit theaters on September 11, 2026, and I’ve already marked my calendar!

Why Clayface’s Latest Filming Update Is Beneficial for the DCU

The completion of filming for Clayface this week is encouraging, as it opens up opportunities for reshoots and a less rushed editing process. This is good news for the DC Universe overall, demonstrating that DC Studios can successfully deliver smaller-scale, character-focused movies on time and within budget.

Previous reports indicated that filming for Clayface was planned to begin in October 2025, but that information turned out to be incorrect. Production actually started last August, meaning the movie is ahead of schedule – which is great news!

The smooth and problem-free progress of the Clayface production is very encouraging, and we expect this positive momentum to continue through post-production and into its planned September 2026 release. Clayface‘s successful production also establishes a positive example for other projects within the DC Universe, potentially increasing confidence in the Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters lineup.

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2025-10-28 16:34