James Gunn Reveals First R-Rated Film in the DCU

DC Studios is heading into horror territory with one of its upcoming movies, and it’s not holding back. The film, Clayface, is being made as a body horror movie and is expected to carry an R rating. James Gunn, co-head of DC Studios, confirmed this during a recent episode of the DC Studios Showcase podcast.

The idea for the film wasn’t originally part of DC’s main universe plans. But that changed when director Mike Flanagan pitched his vision for Clayface, which impressed the studio enough to add it to the DCU slate.

Gunn described the project as a smart and intense horror film and said it’s the kind of movie he’s excited about. “It’s rated R … it’s not anything now because the MPA has to watch it, but it’s most likely rated R. It’s pretty intense,” he said.

The movie will be directed by James Watkins, known for The Woman in Black. It’s aiming to start filming this summer and is set to hit theaters in September 2026. Tom Rhys Harries was recently cast as the lead. He was chosen from a group of British actors reportedly being considered, including Tom Blyth and George MacKay.

At a press event earlier this year, Gunn described the movie as “pure f**ing horror,”* signaling that fans should expect something far more graphic and intense than the usual superhero fare. The script was originally written by Flanagan, though Hossein Amini was later brought in to rewrite parts of it. Still, Flanagan remains credited as the main writer, according to Gunn.

Clayface will not be part of Matt Reeves’ separate Batman universe. Gunn made it clear that the film belongs to the main DCU. Safran, DC Studios’ other co-lead, explained that Reeves’ world will focus only on the Batman trilogy and the Penguin series. Everything else, including Clayface, will be part of the broader DC Universe they’re building.

Both Gunn and Safran said the movie stands out because it’s not a traditional superhero film. Instead, it’s more like an indie horror movie. Safran even called it “experimental,” and Gunn said that if this script had been shown to him years ago—before his DC days—he would’ve jumped at the chance to produce it.

Clayface may not be as famous as other Batman villains like Joker or Penguin, but Gunn believes the story has strong emotional weight and will surprise audiences.

I think it’s cool to see DC Studios taking a different path with this one. We don’t get many superhero movies that go deep into horror, especially body horror. It shows that the studio wants to try new things and take creative risks. What do you think about DC turning Clayface into a full-blown horror film? Share your thoughts in the comments below!