By Published Apr 30, 2026, 9:30 AM EDT Cooper Hood is the Associate Editor for all new movie releases, in theaters and on streaming. In addition to writing articles about these titles and upcoming releases, he also oversees content planning for each, ensuring that ScreenRant continues to cover major releases for months after their release.
He has written various reviews for ScreenRant that appear on , coordinated Oscars and San Diego Comic-Con coverage, appeared on CNN to talk about Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, and done select interviews with talent over the years. Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap
The DC Universe is about to introduce a notable Batman villain without the Caped Crusader, but there appears to be a good reason why. James Gunn and DC Studios bulked up the DCU Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters slate by adding to the schedule for an October 2026 release date.
Directed by James Watkins, the R-rated horror movie is set to be where audiences are fully introduced to Matt Hagen, a young actor whose body becomes made of clay as a way to restore his perfect face after an accident. Clayface marks the first appearance of Tom Rhys Harries as the longtime Batman villain, which is why questions have loomed about how the movie will handle The Dark Knight.
Batman has yet to be properly introduced in the DCU, but . That makes ignoring him a difficult option for a blossoming cinematic universe. The lack of a Batman appearance, as expected, can be explained away in real life due to the franchise wanting to wait until The Brave and the Bold to .
But the DCU needs an in-universe reason for Batman not to appear and interact with a known comic antagonist. Thankfully, can provide such an explanation, as it officially comes before anything else we've seen from Gunn's universe.
Clayface's Timeline Setting Can Be Why Batman Doesn't Appear
The DC Studios co-CEO and producer on Clayface has confirmed that the movie is set prior to Superman, and thus Supergirl, despite releasing after them. It also must take place before Peacemaker season 2 and Creature Commandos season 1, as the latter included a fully transformed version of Clayface, who Gunn confirmed is the same version featured in the upcoming movie.
This makes Clayface a prequel to the entire DCU to explore Matt Hagen's origin and how he became one of Batman's foes. This can explain why The Dark Knight is not present in the movie. Rather than just being off-screen, busy with another criminal, or not aware of Clayface's actions, the movie's story may be happening before Bruce Wayne becomes Batman.
For this to work, Clayface has to be set several years before Creature Commandos. That show established that . The franchise originally had plans to use an older Bruce, one who is already the father of a teenage son, Damian Wayne. But that may have shifted based on one of . This could allow Clayface to take place closer to the rest of the DCU and still tell a Gotham-set story where Batman isn't active.
This would be the cleanest in-universe explanation for Batman not being a factor in this story. The movie would have the freedom to tell this story without Batman's shadow hanging over it and still tease the Wayne family's presence in Gotham to link the two characters in some fashion.
Will Clayface Return To Fight Batman In The DCU?
Whether Batman is already protecting Gotham City's streets at the time that Clayface takes place or not, he will not be popping up to stop the shapeshifting villain. That encounter will be saved for a later project.
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DC Studios hasn't confirmed any plans for Clayface and Batman to meet, but that is certainly the unofficial direction this is heading. Gunn explained last year (via ) that the movie and character were desired to be part of the shared universe, rather than exist as an Elseworlds story or in Matt Reeves' Batman Crime Saga:
"It was important that Clayface be part of the DCU. It's an origin story for a classic Batman villain that we want to have in our world.”
If Gunn wants , it's certainly so he and Batman can come face-to-face at some point. The Brave and the Bold is a strong option. Tom Rhys Harries could reprise his role to be a secondary villain in the DCU's first Batman movie. If it doesn't happen there, then a future, currently unknown movie would have to bring them together.
As long as Clayface is well-received and audiences are interested in seeing more of the character, the DCU should look to deliver the first live-action confrontation between Batman and a classic foe.
Cast
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Tom Rhys Harries Matt Hagen / Clayface -
Naomi Ackie Dr. Caitlin Bates -
David Dencik -
Max Minghella
Producers , Lynn Harris, , Peter Safran Franchise(s) Expand Collapse
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