Clayface in the DCU Timeline: James Gunn Bets on Body Horror Before Superman?

Clayface in the DCU timeline: The architecture of James Gunn’s new DC Universe (DCU) broke its initial linear pattern. What until now seemed like a strict chronological progression—with Creature Commandos preceding Superman and Peacemaker season 2 taking place after the Man of Steel film—has just expanded into the past. Gunn confirmed that Clayface takes place before the events of Superman and Supergirl.

This decision adjusts the DCU timeline and marks the tonal elasticity that the DC Studios franchise will have. Clayface is not presented as a superhero-horror hybrid, but rather as an R-rated body horror film that, incidentally, inhabits a universe of beings with extraordinary abilities.

Clayface in the DCU timeline: The Origin of Clayface: Tom Rhys Harries and the Connection to Gotham

Following the release of the first trailer, Gunn clarified via social media that the villain played by Tom Rhys Harries is the same character from Creature Commandos. This immediate connection establishes a crucial link between the Gotham City we are beginning to see and the rest of the shared universe.

So far, the Gotham of the DCU has been hinted at through fragments: Batman’s cameo, the flashback of Doctor Phosphorus in Creature Commandos, and now the nightmarish atmosphere of Clayface. The film radically departs from the heroic tone of Clark Kent to delve into the tragedy of physical transformation. The casting of Harries suggests a performance focused on the loss of human identity in the face of an uncontrollable biological pathology, an approach reminiscent of genre classics like David Cronenberg’s The Fly.

Clayface: A Standalone Film with Structural Ramifications

Gunn was emphatic: “The standalone story is the most important thing.” However, it’s impossible to ignore how Clayface lays the groundwork for the upcoming Batman film, The Brave and the Bold. By setting this story in the past, the narrative has the freedom to explore a Gotham that may not yet know the Dark Knight, or that is at the very beginning of his urban legend.

The question that remains is to what extent this foray into horror will affect the public’s perception of the DCU. While Marvel has flirted with horror tangentially (as in Werewolf by Night), Gunn seems to be integrating specific film genres more deeply. Clayface is a genre film that uses comic book mythology as a canvas to explore the horror of the flesh.

Clayface and the DCU Timeline

The fact that Clayface is the first film in the DCU timeline, before Clark Kent is introduced to the world as Superman, opens up a range of possibilities regarding the secret history of this universe. Is Clayface’s transformation before that of Doctor Phosphorus? How prevalent was metahuman activity in the shadows before the rise of the great icons?

These questions will begin to be answered when the film hits theaters on October 23, 2026. For now, what’s clear is that James Gunn’s DCU isn’t afraid to look back to build a solid, dark, and visceral foundation.