James Gunn’s DCU is looking to rival the long-established MCU, and despite being in its earliest stages, it has already smashed the MCU formula with one upcoming movie. So far, the DCU has released two shows and one movie, with plenty of exciting upcoming DCU installments on the horizon.
The first cinematic installment since Superman will be Supergirl, set for release on June 26, 2026. This movie looks largely set to emulate the DCU’s first in tone and style, albeit in a more cosmic setting. It will, however, be followed by an official DCU installment that explores an entirely new genre, which is something the MCU isn’t exactly well-versed in.
The Mainline MCU Has Shied Away From Exploring Different Genres
Iron Man on Titan in Avengers Infinity WarMarvel/ Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/ Courtesy Everett Collection
The MCU has established a distinct tone over more than a decade of cinematic releases, and it is one the world has come to love. Iron Man established this tone in 2008, introducing the character who would become the de facto protagonist of the franchise and typify the humor that would pervade almost every MCU movie thereafter. At the same time, the MCU is just as defined by spectacle, with the Big Three Avengers invigorating enthusiasm for the superhero genre before 2012’s The Avengers redefined the superhero movie genre’s potential.
From there, the MCU basically rested on its laurels. This was for good reason, given that it only went from strength to strength and built prestige, becoming synonymous with quality to a degree that only a few movies in the Infinity Saga would jeopardize. This would culminate in the highest-grossing movie of all time (at the time) with Avengers: Endgame, which expertly delivered on the potential of a sprawling cinematic franchise centered on superheroes that nonetheless felt human, grounded, and relatable.
This money-spinning formula would, however, become something of a poisoned chalice. By the time the Infinity Saga came to an end, the MCU stood at the precipice of a fall as several Multiverse Saga installments failed to win over audiences. More than a decade after Iron Man, critics were starting to tire of the tried-and-tested MCU formula that recently culminated in the divisive Captain America: Brave New World, a movie that detractors criticize for being too similar to the multitude of superhero movies that preceded it.
At the same time, Marvel Studios’ attempt to explore all-new themes and genres did not pay dividends. Despite Thunderbolts* being one of the MCU’s most critically acclaimed movies in recent memory, its attempt to spotlight smaller characters and darker themes failed to draw crowds, making it the MCU’s fifth-lowest-grossing movie overall. This is especially unfortunate considering Thunderbolts* was ultimately a particularly consequential installment for the MCU. Still, it fell victim to the MCU’s over-reliance on big spectacles and lighthearted themes, turning away casual fans of the franchise and failing to win back those who had long since abandoned it.
The DCU’s Third Cinematic Installment Is An R-Rated Body Horror Movie
In contrast to the MCU, James Gunn’s DC Universe is taking risks from the get-go. While every mainline MCU installment was predictably high-quality but predictable nonetheless, the DCU is flying in the face of convention with Clayface. The DCU’s first mainline installment, Superman, has earned warranted praise for heavily leaning into a comic book aesthetic and tone, and Supergirl will likely follow suit. While this might be the prevailing tone of the franchise, Clayface looks set to subvert expectations for comic book movies.
There are only a handful of horror-tinged superhero movies in existence. Although the MCU has dipped its toe in the genre with Werewolf by Night, this Disney+ exclusive Special Presentation is only tangentially related to the rest of the franchise. On top of that is its PG-13 rating, a rating to which the vast majority of the MCU adheres. Short of some gruesome deaths, much of the horror and gore is toned down when compared to the MCU’s smattering of R-rated installments like Deadpool & Wolverine, and Daredevil: Born Again.
Clayface, on the other hand, is confirmed to be an R-rated body horror movie. The age rating alone suggests that it will be an unfettered adaptation of one of DC’s most interesting villains. The body horror sub-genre is underexplored in comic book adaptations, with the closest examples being non-horror films like The Incredible Hulk and Sony’s Venom trilogy. This leaves a gap that Clayface could fill, which in turn could win over entirely new audiences.
Clayface Helps To Establish The DCU’s Diversity
Clayface from Batman The Adventures Continue Season Three #1 variant coverImage via DC Comics
While Superman is critically acclaimed for its unabashed embrace of comic book aesthetics and eccentricities, some critics still point out that it is yet another superhero movie following a similar, albeit more forthright, formula to the comic book movies of the last two decades. Despite earning more widespread acclaim, the DCU’s Superman still grossed less worldwide than the DCEU’s inaugural movie, Man of Steel. This suggests that superhero fatigue might be a genuine concern for modern comic book movie adaptations that stick to the tried-and-tested formula.
Clayface, meanwhile, looks set to subvert that formula. Although it will be part of the DCU’s shared continuity, it could be distinct enough from typical comic book adaptations to win over new audiences and even pique the interest of horror movie aficionados. This is impossible to predict without learning more details surrounding Clayface. Still, it is nonetheless impossible to ignore the ambitions of a mainline installment of a cinematic franchise that fully embraces an unconventional genre like body horror.
If Clayface is successful, it opens the door to many other genres the DCU could explore. DC Comics hosts a vast array of genres that could make for some compelling adaptations, such as the New 52 run of Animal Man. While Clayface is a perfect first candidate to star in a body horror movie, it could lay the groundwork for a surrealist adaptation of Animal Man’s adventures within The Red, a force that pervades all animal life and grants Animal Man his mind-bending power to manifest the abilities of any animal.
Ultimately, Clayface sets a new standard for mainline superhero movies. While the DCU has already established a precedent with Creature Commandos, an R-rated animated series evocative of The Suicide Squad, it is almost unheard of for a superhero cinematic franchise to include something like Clayface in its mainlinecontinuity. Ironically, its inclusion in the DCU’s main narrative could backfire, as its status as another comic book movie might dissuade audiences who have long since sworn off the genre. Still, with shrewd marketing and a compelling narrative, it has every chance to thrive as an independent movie.
Everything We Know About The Clayface Movie
Clayface is already off to a promising start, as celebrated horror auteur Mike Flanagan penned the screenplay that he originally pitched for Matt Reeves’ The Batman franchise. Tom Watkins, who wrote and directed the critically acclaimed Eden Lake and is generally an expert in horror, directed the movie, which wrapped filming at the beginning of November. Hossein Amini, best known for writing 2011’s Drive, is the co-writer. Clayface is slated for release on September 11, 2026.
Tom Rhys Harries, best known for his role as Axel Collins in Netflix’s White Lines, will portray the titular character. Although Clayface has undergone multiple iterations in DC Comics’ long history, with Basil Karlo being the first, Harries is portraying the second iteration of Clayface, Matt Hagen. In DC Comics, Hagen is a treasure hunter who acquires metahuman abilities after submerging in a pool of chemicals, which he periodically revisits to maintain his powers. He subsequently embarks on a life of crime as a member of Batman’s colorful rogues’ gallery.
Clayface, however, appears to be adapting the origins of Basil Karlo’s Clayface. In the movie, Harries’ Matt Hagen is an actor who becomes disfigured and seeks the help of a scientist to preserve his career. The scientist carries out a procedure that then turns Hagen’s body into clay, establishing a particularly suitable premise for body horror sequences. Further story details are still forthcoming, but are likely to emerge soon as the release date is now less than a year away.
Release Date
September 11, 2026
Director
James Watkins