James Gunn Teases Clayface’s Fate in Upcoming DCU Movie

James Gunn recently dropped a revealing comment about Clayfacethat might have given away exactly where Matt Hagen ends up by the time the story wraps. If you’ve been following the early threads of the DCU, this detail adds an interesting layer to how everything connects.

Gunn has already confirmed that Clayface is set early in the DCU timeline, taking place before the events of Superman and the other upcoming films and series. That makes it a key piece of the puzzle, especially since it ties directly into what we saw in Creature Commandos.

The Clayface who clashed with Rick Flag Sr. and Eric Frankenstein in that animated series is the same version we’ll meet in live-action, which keeps things nice and consistent across the universe.

Fans, of course, have been throwing theories around. One of the more intriguing ones suggested that Rick Flag Sr., played by Frank Grillo, might secretly be Clayface in disguise, possibly working under Amanda Waller. Gunn quickly shut that down, confirming that’s not the case. So no shapeshifting double-agent twist there.

But it was another response from Gunn that really caught attention. When asked what happens to Clayface after the events of Creature Commandos, Gunn simply said, “Back to prison.”

That implies that Matt Hagen’s story in Clayface could end with him being captured and locked up. If that’s the case, audiences may be watching a tragic rise and fall play out in real time, with Hagen’s transformation leading directly to his imprisonment.

The film itself is leaning heavily into that tragic angle. The teaser trailer offers a glimpse at Hagen’s descent. Set to the haunting sounds of Do You Realize by The Flaming Lips, the footage highlights both his emotional unraveling and physical transformation into the iconic villain.

Bringing that story to life is James Watkins, known for his work on Eden Lake, The Woman in Black, and Speak No Evil. His background in horror makes him a fitting choice for a character like Clayface, who sits comfortably in the space between tragedy and nightmare.

The screenplay comes from Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, with Flanagan’s reputation for character-great driven horror, we know the script is going to be strong.

The film is produced by Gunn and Peter Safran alongside Matt Reeves and Lynn Harris, tying it even closer to the larger DC creative brain trust.

Stepping into the role of Matt Hagen is Tom Rhys Harries, making his DCU debut. He’s joined by a strong supporting cast that includes Eddie Marsan, Max Minghella, Naomi Ackie, David Dencik, Nancy Carroll, and Joshua James.

With a release date set for October 23, 2026, Clayface is clearly aiming to embrace the Halloween season.