Summary
Much like the comic books that inspired it, the brand new DC Universe of films and television shows seems to have room for all kinds of stories. At least that is the vibe DC Studios co-head James Gunn is giving off with recent comments aboutClayface.
WhenWarner Bros.initially kicked off a DC Comics-based connected universe of films with 2013’sMan of Steel, they were haphazardly following in Marvel Studios' footsteps.Without a cohesive plan and confident leadership, the so-called DC Extended Universe (DCEU) struggled to please critics and fans on a consistent basis. The movies that strayed too far from the baseline template of “traditional superhero film”—Shazam!,Birds of Prey,The Suicide Squad—did well with critics but struggled to catch on with audiences in the way that Marvel films were at the time. By the time 2023 rolled around, DC put four films in theaters, with each and every one flopping at the box office. IfWonder Woman 1984andBlack Adamproved the DCEU was on life support, the 2023 release slate ofShazam! Fury of the Gods,The Flash,Blue Beetle,andAquaman and the Lost Kingdomproved it was dead in the water. Now, DC Studios is starting over witha consistent vision in mind, and that vision seems to prioritize diverse storytelling above all else.
James Gunn—writer/director ofSupermanand co-head of DC Studios—recently sat down for a lengthy interview on theDC Studios Showcase Official Podcast. The interview covered numerous topics like social media, the use of music in film, and what it is like going through the casting process. Near the end of the interview, well past the hour mark, Gunn got to talking about the upcoming DC projects,LanternsandClayface. Gunn’s words on the upcoming horror film are what fans will find most intriguing.“Clayfacewas not something that we intended,“Gunn began.“But, Mike [Flanagan] came in with a pitch forClayfacethat was like, ‘Whoa, that is so cool.’ And then he wrote the screenplay and fulfilled doubly on that promise… if we had gotten the script as a horror movie, not being a part of the DCU at all, it’s like this amazing body horror film that we would jump at the chance of making.“Of course, the most exciting news is that Gunn fully intends onClayfacebeing a R-rated horror flick set in the DC Universe.
James Gunn And DC Studios EnvisageClayfaceAs An R-Rated Body Horror Bonanza
Looking throughJames Gunn’s impressive filmography, it’s clear the man has a love for R-rated films of all genres. He wrote 2004’sDawn of the Dead, wrote and directed both 2006’sSlitherand 2010’sSuper, and produced 2016’sThe Belko Experimentand 2019’sBrightburn. Even his first DC film, 2021’sThe Suicide Squad, leaned into its R-rating and cranked up the violence. James Gunn knows what it takes to have a successful R-rated flick. If he’s excited about the prospect of an R-ratedClayfacefilm, fans should be too.
“It’s rated R, yeah… the NPA has to watch it, but it’s most likely rated R.”
It’s clear thatClayfaceis on the fast track to production, what with recent news that the script is in rewrites and that Tom Rhys Harries has been cast in the leading role. It’ll have to start full-fledged production soon if DC Studios wants to meet the June 07, 2025 release date they’ve set for the film. Let’s hope Gunn gets his wish and thatClayfaceis the R-rated body horror roller coaster fans want it to be.
