A blink-and-you’ll-miss-it bat sticker on a dumpster on the set of the upcoming Clayface film lit up timelines with “Battinson-in-the-DCU” theories. James Gunn hopped on social media to chill issues down, noting that whereas the dumpster seen within the shared set of pictures is actual set dressing, he didn’t log out on the decal, and he doesn’t assessment each background prop. In different phrases: don’t deal with a sticker like a canon alarm bell. However this wasn’t sufficient for some followers who had a really particular request for the director and co-DC exec concerning the slate of upcoming DC films.
On Threads, followers rapidly zeroed in on a single, particular ask. Within the replies, a number of customers urged Gunn to say it plainly—once more—that Matt Reeves’ The Batman is an Elseworlds title and never merging into Chapter One of many DCU. That decision for readability set the tone of the feedback.
A number of followers requested for a transparent label, whereas others pitched fixes to what they deem is a complicated little bit of world-building. Right here’s a snapshot of followers’ reactions:
- “James it’s essential state outloud and clearly that the merge will not be occurring, you see how poisonous and delusionnal some followers are to the purpose of coming into a filming set and alerting props of films?? You might want to say it clearly and loudly (once more) that’s not occurring please” – @damstrn
- “Soo are you able to make official confrimation that Robert Pattinson Batman is Elseworld ??? Please 🙏” – @batdude345
- “@jamesgunn How troublesome is it so that you can flip Robert Pattinson’s Batman into YOUR Batman? At the least use the actor.” – @psi.caversan
- “The way in which I’ve lengthy understood it’s that lots of the set dressings Easter eggs are as a rule placed on by the artwork division who typically put stuff that lots of instances would not even make it on digital camera, not likely stuff that is meant to be taken tremendous severely or as “arduous canon” (until the digital camera focuses on it and it is truly one thing necessary)” – @leecepacebatman
- “@jamesgunn I feel it’s essential give you and reveal a Bat Go well with design for the DCU. I do know it’s early and also you don’t have anybody forged but, however that’ll hopefully put an finish to the entire Reeves’ is or isn’t within the DCU debate. As a fan it’s actually getting annoying. Because you’re taking inspiration from the Silvar Age for Superman you need to take into consideration taking inspiration from the Bronze Age for Batman. A navy blue cape/cowl & basic yellow oval for the bat image would assist it stand out.” – @random_eric_things
- “This debate won’t ever finish till the day you guys forged dcu batman😂” – @gcarp6
Gunn’s manufacturing design rationalization tracks with how this stuff normally work. Sometimes, artwork departments add texture to the world, and never each Easter egg is a roadmap. Nonetheless, the urge for food for a clear line round Gotham is comprehensible. However for now, the most secure learn is the best—the sticker is probably going simply set dressing with no ulterior that means or motive. Though as one commenter already identified, the talk will seemingly rage on till Gunn and DC make an official Bat announcement.
Gunn’s plate is full—he co-runs DC Studios, shepherded Peacemaker S2, which is presently airing on the 2025 TV schedule, and is actively steering the post-Superman slate, together with within the formally introduced Superman follow-up, Man of Tomorrow. So the concept that he’s personally green-lighting a dumpster decal as a continuity breadcrumb by no means made a lot sense. If and when The Batman crosses paths with the DCU or the DCU casts its personal Gotham vigilante, it gained’t be teased by way of a thriller sticker. Like many followers prompt within the feedback, the announcement will arrive as an official announcement.
That gained’t cease the theorizing, after all—particularly with Clayface being a chief hypothesis magnet. The movie stems from a script that Mike Flanagan introduced to DC and is extensively reported to lean into grotesque, R-rated physique horror film territory. Tonally, that makes it simple to think about beside Matt Reeves’ noir sandbox, which is why each shadowy picture spawns an Elseworlds vs. DCU debate. However as of right now, James Gunn’s remark resets expectations: don’t learn a merger into a bit of prop dressing.
Nonetheless it shakes out, there’s loads on the calendar to maintain theorists busy. The following mainline entry, Supergirl, hits the 2026 film schedule on June 26, with Clayface following on September 11. Till we hear in any other case, I’m contemplating the bat sticker to be what the person behind the DCU says it’s—a random little bit of set dressing.