DC Studios is finally letting its monsters steal the spotlight, and Clayface has given the rebooted DC Universe a decidedly gruesome change of pace. With director James Watkins turning Batman’s shape-shifting adversary into an R-rated body horror tragedy, Tom Rhys Harries is proving that a villain does not need a cape or a billion-dollar franchise crossover to command attention. 

James Gunn has now publicly done endorsement as the arrival of Clayface makes a strong impression at the box office, giving DC another reason to embrace stories that dare to get their hands dirty.

Taking to X on October 26, James Gunn celebrated the character’s comic book anniversary while applauding Harries for bringing genuine tragedy to the horror. 

“It’s one thing to watch someone become a monster, but another to feel everything that person is losing along the way,” Gunn wrote. 

"Tom Rhys Harries gives an astounding performance in Clayface, bringing an emotional weight to the horror in a way that feels incredibly personal. Happy anniversary to Matt Hagen, who debuted in DETECTIVE COMICS #298," he added.

The appreciation by Gunn, also comes with some box-office muscle behind it. Clayface opened at No. 1 in North America with approximately $24 million domestically, adding around $19 million internationally for a worldwide debut of roughly $43 million. Against its reported $44 million production budget, the opening gives the horror experiment a promising start, although its eventual profitability will depend on its theatrical run and additional costs.

Clayface’s Final Form Was Reworked 17 Times to Get One Disturbing Detail Right

But Gunn’s praise points toward something bigger than one actor’s performance or one weekend’s ticket sales. The DC Studios chief has also been clear about what he wants this cinematic universe to become, and Clayface offers a particularly messy test of that philosophy.

On Threads, James Gunn agreed with a fan who argued that individual DCU projects should work on their own instead of existing solely to set up future installments. He compared DC’s approach to Star Wars, explaining that stories can unfold at different points in an alternate universe without every character needing to converge for one giant showdown. He also stressed that connectivity still matters, but it should not dictate the purpose of every film.

“I dislike the idea that individual stories aren’t meaningful unless they lead to something else. I would love people to be seeing ‘Clayface’ because it’s a great, fun horror movie unto itself, not because of where else Clayface will show up three movies from now,” Gunn concluded. 

That philosophy suits Clayface, a film driven by body horror, personal tragedy, and the terrifying loss of identity rather than superhero cameos. Gunn has said he wants audiences to watch it because it works as a horror movie in its own right, not because they are hunting for clues about the villain’s next appearance. For a franchise often accused of turning every ending into a trailer for the next installment, that is a refreshing change of shape.

With Tom Rhys Harries earning praise and Clayface securing a strong opening, DC has reasons to keep experimenting beyond its traditional superhero playbook. 

X Accuses James Gunn of “Hijacking” ‘Clayface’ From Matt Reeves, Fans Divided

What do you think of Gunn’s praise for Harries and his approach to standalone DC stories? Share your thoughts in the comments.