James Gunn Reveals Where Clayface Fits in the New DCU Timeline
The new DC Universe is no longer something fans are waiting for. It’s officially here, and James Gunn and Peter Safran are moving full speed ahead with their ambitious reboot of DC Studios. While the final lingering projects from the old DCEU era trickled out over the past couple of years, the new era is now taking center stage. Superman kicked things off in a meaningful way last year, and now 2026 is shaping up to be another significant milestone with Supergirl and, more intriguingly, Clayface on the way.
But here’s where things get interesting. Fans have been wondering exactly when Clayface takes place in the DCU timeline, and James Gunn himself has finally answered that question.
The First DCU Film to Break the Chronological Pattern
Warner Bros. recently dropped the first teaser trailer for Clayface, and it’s unlike anything else we’ve seen from the rebooted DC Universe so far. The movie is being pitched as a full-on horror film set within Batman’s world, which immediately makes it stand out from its superhero siblings. We probably won’t see Batman himself in this one, but that doesn’t make the story any less important to the larger DCU puzzle.
Naturally, fans started asking the obvious question: does Clayface happen before or after Superman on the timeline?
A curious fan posed this exact question on Threads, and Gunn gave a clear, if surprising, response. He said the movie takes place before Superman, making it the first DCU film released out of chronological order. That’s a notable detail, since Gunn has previously emphasized that, aside from flashbacks, the new DCU would move forward in chronological order across all its connected projects.
So why the deviation? Simple. Clayface wasn’t originally part of the master plan. It was greenlit based on the sheer strength of a pitch from horror legend Mike Flanagan, which was apparently too good to pass up. That’s why the film ends up tucked into an earlier spot on the DCU timeline rather than following the usual forward progression.
Where Exactly Does Clayface Fall in the Timeline?
While Gunn’s answer clears up one mystery, it quickly opens up several others. If Clayface is set before Superman, just how far back are we talking? A few years? A decade? Longer?
The movie is directed by James Watkins, known for the unsettling Speak No Evil, and stars Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen, an actor whose transformation turns him into the shape-shifting Batman villain. This will also be our very first look at Gotham City in the new DC Universe, which is a huge deal for Batman fans still waiting for the Caped Crusader’s official DCU debut.
Here are some of the big questions the movie raises:
- Does Matt Hagen’s transformation happen before or after Batman takes on the cape in Gotham?
- Is Batman already an active crimefighter at this point in the DCU, or is this set before his arrival?
- Does this take place before Superman revealed himself to the world?
Unfortunately, the trailer doesn’t offer many clues. There are no smartphones or obvious technology references that could help pin down the era. It could be set decades ago. It could be set only a few years before Superman. Right now, we’re all left guessing.
The Batman Connection
One of the most fascinating aspects of Clayface’s timeline placement is what it means for Batman’s role in the new DCU. The next version of the Dark Knight hasn’t been cast yet, and the character is expected to make his official debut in The Brave and the Bold, which is still in development.
So if Clayface is set before Superman, there’s a real possibility that Batman is already operating in Gotham during the events of the film. That could mean we get subtle nods to his presence, perhaps a distant silhouette, a news headline, or some other suggestion that the World’s Greatest Detective is somewhere out there, just not the focus of this particular story.
For fans hungry to see how the new DCU handles Gotham and its iconic inhabitants, Clayface might serve as a surprisingly important introduction. Even without Batman front and center, it could lay important groundwork for what’s coming next.
The Creature Commandos Connection
Here’s another wrinkle worth mentioning. Alan Tudyk voiced Clayface in the animated DCU series Creature Commandos, where the character was beaten down badly but not definitively killed off. That leaves the door open for a big question: is the Clayface we see in this upcoming movie the same version that appeared in Creature Commandos? Or is it one of the other characters from DC Comics who has taken on the Clayface mantle over the years?
Matt Hagen isn’t the only person to become Clayface in the comics. Several different characters have worn that shape-shifting identity, and each one brings a different flavor to the story. If Gunn and his team are playing the long game, they could be setting up a richer version of the Clayface lore than anyone is expecting.
For now, though, fans will just have to wait and see how Tom Rhys Harries’ version fits into the larger DCU puzzle.
A Horror-Flavored Entry in a Superhero Universe
What really makes Clayface stand out from the rest of the new DCU lineup is its genre. Superhero films often dip into drama, comedy, or sci-fi, but full-blooded horror is rare territory for the comic book film world. Bringing in Mike Flanagan, a director known for psychological horror hits, and pairing him with James Watkins, another filmmaker with strong horror chops, suggests that DC Studios is genuinely committed to making this feel scary rather than just superficially dark.
The idea of a man transforming uncontrollably into a shape-shifting monster is inherently unsettling, and the trailer suggests that the film leans into that body horror angle hard. This isn’t going to be a traditional superhero movie with clean good-versus-evil beats. It’s going to be something moodier, more intimate, and potentially far more disturbing.
What This Means for the Future of the DCU
The fact that Clayface is being slotted into an earlier point on the timeline hints at a flexible approach from Gunn and Safran. While the overarching plan is to keep things chronological, they’re clearly willing to make exceptions when a great story presents itself. That’s an encouraging sign for fans who worry about rigid shared universes feeling overly constructed.
It also suggests that the DCU is going to embrace a wider range of tones and genres. From a hopeful Superman story to a horror-infused Clayface movie, the new DC Universe seems determined to break free of the formulaic approach that weighed down parts of the old DCEU.
A Lot of Questions, and That’s Part of the Fun
Right now, there are more questions than answers when it comes to Clayface’s place in the DCU. But in many ways, that’s exactly what makes this moment exciting. The new DC Universe is still unfolding, and each new project adds another piece to a puzzle that’s becoming more intriguing with every reveal.
Where does Clayface fit with Batman’s journey? Is this the same character Alan Tudyk voiced in Creature Commandos? How will the horror tone blend with the rest of the more traditional superhero projects on the horizon? All these mysteries will hopefully start to unravel when the movie finally hits theaters.
Release Date
Clayface is scheduled to hit theaters on October 23, 2026, which perfectly suits its horror-leaning tone. An October release should help the movie find its audience among both superhero fans and horror lovers looking for something different during the spooky season.
Final Thoughts
With James Gunn officially confirming that Clayface takes place before Superman, the new DCU has taken its first deliberate step out of chronological order, and for a very good reason. Mike Flanagan’s pitch was strong enough to rearrange the plan, and fans now get to look forward to a genuinely unique addition to the superhero movie landscape.
Whether you’re a diehard DC fan or someone who just enjoys a good horror movie, Clayface is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing releases of 2026. It may not follow the expected timeline, but based on everything we’ve seen so far, it just might be the kind of bold swing that makes the new DCU feel fresh, exciting, and unpredictable.
October 23, 2026 can’t come soon enough.
