James Gunn Reveals What's Happening with "Clayface" - The Film Isn't Ready to Be Shown Yet
After the start of filming in Liverpool in September 2025, DC Studios has shared almost no details about the project - and it seems the silence will continue for some time.
With less than nine months until the premiere of the superhero body horror "Clayface," viewers won't see the first trailer anytime soon. James Gunn, answering a fan's question about a possible release of the trailer in the coming months, gave a definite answer – no.
"No. I haven't even seen the movie – James [Watkins] is still working on the first cut."
The statement was made on January 18, 2026, and became the first official update on the project in recent months, immediately generating a new wave of questions. Gunn clarified that the producers are deliberately not interfering in the director's cut process:
"Producers always don't interfere during work on the director's cut. This is not only the best approach, but also the generally accepted practice of the Directors Guild of America."
Despite the lack of promotion, the head of DC Studios assured that production is going according to plan. When asked if the release remains scheduled for September 11, 2026, he replied: "Absolutely."
James Watkins ("The Woman in Black") is directing "Clayface," and Mike Flanagan wrote the script. Tom Rhys Harries plays the main role, and Max Minghella is also announced in the cast.
The plot follows a hero who injects himself with an experimental drug, hoping to restore his disfigured face, but soon discovers the ability to completely change the shape of his body – like malleable clay. The new abilities quickly turn into a curse: along with his appearance, he begins to lose his humanity.
Initially, the project was conceived as a spin-off of Matt Reeves' "The Batman," but was eventually included in the new cinematic universe of Gunn and Peter Safran. According to rumors, the decision was made after test screenings of the script and a positive reaction from Gunn himself.
Earlier, the director called "Clayface" a "pure horror" that should show how diverse the new DCU can be. Instead of the usual superhero epic, viewers will find a chamber film with a pronounced atmosphere of body horror and an R rating.
