Whereas it stays to be seen once we’ll meet the DC Universe’s Batman in The Courageous and the Daring, one of many Caped Crusader’s extra well-known villains is lined as much as get the cinematic highlight on the 2026 motion pictures schedule. Clayface will probably be launched virtually precisely a 12 months from now, with Tom Rhys Harries enjoying the shapeshifting Matt Hagen. The upcoming DC film started filming on the finish of August, and now one other reference has even revealed from the set regarding The Joker that has me confused about what the deal is with the Clown Prince of Crime within the DCU.
Final week, a leaked set picture got here out exhibiting the phrase “The Jokers” spray-painted on a wall, indicating there is likely to be a number of Jokers within the DCU or that there’s a gang named after the cackling psychopath. Nicely, there’s new data to consider. A brand new set picture, this one taken by @whitewidow616, reveals a flyer caught to a wall with a black and white image of a number of nondescript figures, and the phrase “Corruption is the ENEMY of the folks” is written in black throughout the highest and backside of stated image. Then in smaller crimson lettering, it says, “March towards the G.C.P.D. Park Row, Gotham This Saturday 2pm JOIN THE JOKER.”
So… what’s occurring right here? Is The Joker main a political motion in Gotham Metropolis when Clayface is occurring? Is Joker truly involved about systemic corruption inside the police system and needs to convey reform to regulation enforcement? No, that doesn’t sound like one thing that will curiosity one of many best mass murderers within the DC Universe; at naked minimal, he wouldn’t contemplate it “humorous.” In addition to, it was only some years in the past that we watched Paul Dano’s Riddler killing corrupt people in The Batman, so having Joker do the identical kind of factor within the DCU would really feel like an excessive amount of of a retread.
My finest guess for now’s that there’s a gaggle in Gotham which have co-opted Joker’s title and are utilizing it to additional their very own political agenda. Perhaps they honestly wish to assist town, or perhaps they’ve ulterior motives. Both approach, except these Jokers instantly issue into what occurs to Matt Hagen in Clayface, I don’t anticipate this will probably be explored in-depth. Additionally, if that is certainly a separate group, it’s solely a matter of time earlier than Joker begins killing folks related to them.
Though Clayface wasn’t initially a part of the DCU plans, DC Studios co-head James Gunn was impressed by filmmaker Mike Flanagan’s story pitch and subsequent script drafts. Hossein Amini was later introduced in rewrite parts of the script after Flanagan exited the mission, and James Watkins is directing the function. Tom Rhys Harries is joined within the Clayface solid by Naomi Ackie, Max Minghella and Eddie Marsan. The story follows up-and-coming actor Matt Hagen, who’s disfigured by a gangster after which turns to a scientist for assist out of desperation, solely to have his physique reworked into clay.
Clayface will probably be launched on September 11, 2026. It will likely be preceded by Supergirl on June 26, and whereas it’s not set within the DC Universe, let’s not neglect that The Batman: Half II arrives on October 1, 2027.