The first reactions to DC Studios’ Clayface have arrived, and the upcoming Batman villain film appears to be leaning fully into its horror roots.

Directed by James Watkins, Clayface stars Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen, an actor who suffers a devastating facial injury before undergoing an experimental treatment that transforms his body and ultimately turns him into the shape shifting character known as Clayface.

Early reactions following screenings have been largely positive, with viewers praising the film’s gruesome body horror, dark atmosphere and Harries’ performance in the lead role.

Collider’s Steven Weintraub called the film “fantastic” while noting that it delivers an R rated experience filled with brutal moments.

Clayface [DC Studios]

Brandon Davis described Clayface as “freakishly awesome,” praising Watkins’ unsettling version of Gotham and the creative ways the film uses Clayface’s abilities.

Several reactions have also compared the movie to classic body horror films such as The Fly and Sam Raimi’s Darkman, suggesting DC Studios has created something much closer to a traditional horror movie than a typical superhero release.

Harries has received particularly strong praise, with multiple early viewers pointing to Clayface as a potential breakout performance for the actor.

Naomi Ackie stars alongside Harries as Dr. Caitlyn Corr, the scientist whose experimental treatment plays a major role in Hagen’s transformation. The cast also includes Max Minghella, Eddie Marsan and David Dencik.

Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen, Clayface [dc studios]

The screenplay was written by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini from a story by Flanagan, while James Gunn, Peter Safran, Matt Reeves and Lynn Harris serve as producers.

Clayface also represents another major tonal shift for the developing DC Universe. Rather than treating every project as a traditional comic book blockbuster, DC Studios appears willing to use individual characters to explore completely different genres.

If the early reactions are any indication, Clayface may be one of the studio’s biggest swings yet.

Clayface arrives in theaters October 23, 2026.

James Mangold’s long developing Swamp Thing movie is still alive at DC Studios, with studio co chairman Peter Safran confirming that work on the project is actively moving forward.

Speaking at the premiere of Clayface, Safran addressed the status of the film after years of limited updates and growing speculation that it may have quietly fallen off DC Studios’ slate.

“We’re working on it, absolutely.”

Safran said. “The script is being written as we speak.”

Safran added that DC Studios remains excited about the project, while acknowledging that getting the film into production will also depend on Mangold’s availability.

Swamp Thing was originally announced in 2023 as part of the first chapter of James Gunn and Safran’s new DC Universe. The film is expected to explore the dark origins of the character while leaning heavily into horror rather than functioning as a traditional superhero movie.

Swamp Thing

Mangold previously described his approach as a simple Gothic horror story centered around a man and a monster, comparing the concept to the type of classic tragedy found in Frankenstein.

That direction would make Swamp Thing one of the darker and more distinct projects currently being developed for the DC Universe.

The character, most commonly associated with scientist Alec Holland, has long occupied the horror side of DC Comics. After Holland is killed in an explosion, Swamp Thing emerges as a powerful plant based creature connected to a supernatural force known as the Green.

The character most recently received a live action television adaptation in 2019, although the series was canceled after a single season.

Mangold remains attached to direct the new film, though DC Studios has not announced a production start date, cast, or release date.

For now, Safran’s comments offer the clearest indication in some time that Swamp Thing remains part of DC Studios’ plans.

John Cena may not be putting on the Peacemaker helmet again anytime soon, but the actor appears perfectly comfortable waiting for James Gunn to call his number.

During a recent appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast with Josh Horowitz, Cena opened up about his future as Christopher Smith following the second season of Peacemaker and where the character currently fits within Gunn and Peter Safran’s expanding DC Universe.

When asked whether he had worn the Peacemaker helmet since finishing the second season, Cena gave a straightforward answer: “No.”

That doesn’t mean Cena is walking away from the character. The actor made it clear that he remains committed to Gunn and is willing to return whenever the DC Studios co-CEO needs him.

Cena explained that he has already had an opportunity to play a character who was relatively unknown to mainstream audiences and believes it is now important for Gunn to devote his attention to some of DC’s biggest characters.

“I got to step back.”

Cena pointed to characters such as Superman as examples of the massive pieces Gunn is currently responsible for establishing within the new DCU.

Peacemaker [dc studios]

The comments come as Gunn continues building an interconnected universe across film and television. David Corenswet’s Superman has become one of the central figures of the franchise, while projects involving Batman, Wonder Woman and several other major DC characters remain in various stages of development.

Cena’s comments shouldn’t necessarily be interpreted as the end of Peacemaker.

The second season left Christopher Smith’s story open for continuation, and Gunn has previously avoided giving fans a definitive answer about exactly when Peacemaker or the other members of the 11th Street Kids will return.

For now, Cena appears content to wait.

After helping turn one of DC’s more obscure characters into a major live-action fan favorite, Peacemaker may simply be taking a temporary backseat while Gunn continues putting the larger pieces of the DCU into place.