The first trailer for Clayface was released earlier this week, and it's clearly a very different kind of comic book movie. Set in Gotham City before the events of Superman, we're getting a full-blown body-horror explanation for how this member of Batman's rogues' gallery came to be.
Alternatively, the movie may explain how Matt Hagen's apparent successor, the monstrous Clayface, last seen dying at Frankenstein's hands in Creature Commandos, was created after the scarred actor presumably served as a guinea pig.
We'll see, but DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has now taken to Instagram to share some insights into Clayface's place in the wider DCU. He also elaborates on the comics that have inspired his decision to greenlight projects like this one.
"Since the release of the Clayface trailer people have asked me, 'How is that going to work? One universe, different feels and genres?'" Gunn wrote. "My answer is just like in the comics where different creative voices and visions inspire each project."
"Each story has purpose within itself, outside of all others," the Man of Tomorrow helmer continued. "But another part of the fun can be when seemingly disparate strands come together in an elegant way."
Is Gunn hinting at his plans for the DCU with the artwork shared in his post? We wouldn't bank on it. The filmmaker is using them to illustrate how seemingly disparate genres can come together in the world of comics, whether it's Batman meeting Elmer Fudd or Superman teaming up with Sgt. Rock.
So, while Clayface may seem like an odd fit for a world David Corenswet's Man of Steel and the Justice Gang call home, Gunn is instead taking full advantage of the DC Universe's uniqueness to tell a vast array of stories.
The filmmaker will, however, have to brace himself for fans going into this movie expecting an appearance from Batman or something that sets up The Brave and the Bold!
DC Studios' first-ever foray into the genre, Clayface is a horror thriller from director James Watkins, starring Tom Rhys Harries in the title role of the Gotham City villain.
Clayface unravels one man’s horrifying descent from rising Hollywood star to revenge-filled monster in a story that explores the loss of one’s identity and humanity, corrosive love, and the dark underbelly of scientific ambition.
The film also stars Naomi Ackie, David Dencik, Max Minghella and Eddie Marsan, as well as Nancy Carroll and Joshua James.
James Watkins directs from a screenplay by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, story by Flanagan, based on characters from DC. The film is produced by Matt Reeves, Lynn Harris, James Gunn and Peter Safran, with Michael E. Uslan, Rafi Crohn, Paul Ritchie, Chantal Nong Vo and Lars P. Winther executive producing.
Watkins' creative team includes director of photography Rob Hardy, production designer James Price, editor Jon Harris, visual effects supervisor Angus Bickerton, costume designer Keith Madden, and casting director Lucy Bevan.
Clayface opens in theaters in North America on October 23 and internationally beginning on October 21.