DC Universe architect James Gunn has officially clarified the timeline for the upcoming Clayface film. Following the release of its debut trailer, Gunn confirmed that the movie is actually set before the events of last year’s Superman.

While Superman kicked off the rebooted DCU, and Supergirl follows this summer, Clayface arrives this September as a chronological prequel. In a series of posts on Threads, Gunn made the film's place in the timeline clear.

“Before,” he said when asked if it was set before or after Superman. He further noted, “It's the first DCU film out of chronological order." This suggests that during the events of the film, Lex Luthor is active, but Superman has yet to discover the truth about his place on Earth.

The Chronological Place of Clayface in the DCU

Gunn emphasized that while the films are interconnected, the standalone narrative remains the priority. He noted that the upcoming slate will feature a variety of tones and genres:

  • Superman: The official start of the rebooted DCU.
  • Supergirl: Continuing the timeline this summer.
  • Man of Tomorrow: A direct sequel to Superman arriving next year.
  • Clayface: A prequel set prior to the aforementioned titles.

A Shift Toward Body Horror

The upcoming Clayface project represents a significant departure from standard superhero fare. The film is heavily centered on body horror, a theme clearly visible in its debut trailer.

Gunn explained that the DCU will embrace different genres rather than sticking to a single formula. He cited various DC Comics titles like Saga of the Swamp Thing and Killing Joke as inspirations for this multi-tonal approach. "The film or show will play in whatever genre suits the $story$ best," Gunn stated. "Clayface is not a 'hybrid superhero horror film', it is a horror film."

The Future of Batman in the DCU

A major question for fans is whether Batman will appear in this Gotham-set story. Currently, an appearance seems unlikely as Gunn manages the transition between different cinematic universes.

Gunn must navigate the separate "Batman Epic Crime Saga" led by Matt Reeves. This includes The Batman 2, starring Robert Pattinson, which is scheduled for release on October 1, 2027. Because these two worlds are distinct, fans likely won't receive updates on Gunn’s version, The Brave and the Bold, until after the Matt Reeves sequel arrives.

"I'm dependent on when there's an actionable script ready so there is no way of me guessing this," Gunn said regarding The Brave and the Bold. He also committed to a balanced release schedule, stating, "I'm also not going to have two Batman movies come out in the same year."

While we haven't seen much of the DCU's Caped Crusader, a brief glimpse appeared in episode 6 of the animated series Creature Commandos. The character was seen as a silhouette overlooking Doctor Phosphorus. Gunn admitted he requested "more silhouette" for that reveal to avoid over-committing to specific details too early.

While a full appearance in Clayface remains uncertain, the presence of Batman within the wider DCU is already established. For now, fans may only see the occasional knowing reference to the Dark Knight.