Clayface’s Gotham Story Will Exclude Batman, DCU Boss Confirms

WHO:

Coming Soon - James Watkins is the director of *Clayface*.

Coming Soon - Matt Hagen is the central character in the film’s story.

Screen Rant - Peter Safran is DC Studios’ co-CEO.

Screen Rant - The film is described as a DCU feature and as a Batman-villain movie.

WHAT:

TechRadar - *Clayface* takes place chronologically before every other DCU project, but the film does not reveal the exact year.

Coming Soon - The Joker does not appear in *Clayface*, but multiple Easter eggs reference him throughout the film.

Coming Soon - *Clayface* returns Gotham City to the big screen, but Batman is absent from Matt Hagen’s story.

Coming Soon - James Watkins explained why he kept Batman out of the film and said the story’s version of Gotham did not need “a caped shadow hanging over it.”

Screen Rant - The article asks whether the DCU’s new Batman appears in *Clayface*.

Screen Rant - Peter Safran discussed Batman’s status in the upcoming film.

Screen Rant - *Clayface* is described as DC’s first R-rated Batman-villain movie in James Gunn’s DCU.

WHERE:

Coming Soon - The film’s story is set in Gotham City.

Screen Rant - *Clayface* establishes Gotham City.

WHY:

TechRadar - James Watkins said he did not want to “try and crowbar in” a cameo from Batman.

Coming Soon - Watkins said Batman was left out because the film’s version of Gotham and Matt Hagen’s story did not require Batman’s presence.

(UPDATED October 23, 2026 17:23 UTC)

DC’s upcoming *Clayface* tells Matt Hagen’s story in Gotham City, but Batman won’t appear in the film. Director James Watkins said he didn’t want to force in a Batman cameo, explaining that this version of Gotham and Hagen’s story didn’t need “a caped shadow hanging over it.” The film is described as the first R-rated Batman-villain feature in James Gunn’s DCU. It also takes place earlier than every other DCU project, though its exact setting year hasn’t been revealed. The Joker is absent, but the film includes multiple Easter eggs referencing him. Questions have also been raised about whether the DCU’s new Batman appears, and DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran has discussed Batman’s status in the movie. *Clayface* brings Gotham back to the big screen while keeping its focus on Hagen.

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(UPDATED October 23, 2026 05:06 UTC)

The upcoming DCU film *Clayface* returns Gotham City to the big screen, but Batman won’t appear in Matt Hagen’s story. Director James Watkins says the film’s version of Gotham doesn’t need “a caped shadow hanging over it.” He explained that Batman was left out because Hagen’s story can stand on its own, without the hero’s presence. The movie centers on Hagen and is being described as a Batman-villain film. It’s also the first R-rated Batman-villain movie in James Gunn’s DCU. The question of whether the DCU’s new Batman would appear prompted discussion of his status in the film. DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran addressed that status, while Watkins’ explanation makes clear why Batman isn’t part of this particular Gotham story.