James Gunn is pushing back against the idea that audiences must demand a movie before Hollywood takes a creative chance on it.
With tickets for Clayface now on sale, the DC Studios co-chief responded on Threads after a user asked, “Who the f–k asked for a Clayface movie?” The upcoming film is a body-horror take on the relatively little-known DC character, marking a different direction from a more conventional superhero release.
“Who tf asked for Back to the Future? Casablanca? There’s Something About Mary? Pan’s Labyrinth? Fury Road? Weapons? The Matrix?” Gunn replied. “Although it may seem like it, Hollywood isn’t a place where the only way to make a movie is the public voting on what IP they want to see that they’ve seen countless times before.”
Gunn Defends the Inspiration Behind Clayface
Gunn went on to name Mike Flanagan, James Watkins and Hossein Amini while explaining how the project developed around a lesser-known fictional figure.
“Sometimes someone — in this case initially Mike Flanagan and then James Watkins and Hossein Amini — were inspired by a relatively little known fictional character and crafted what I believe is a very special story around that character,” Gunn wrote.
He added that he would choose that kind of inspiration “a thousand times over” a passionless screenplay built around a far more popular character simply to capitalize on the name.
The defense arrives as DC Studios positions Clayface as its next major release. Gunn’s response also reflects an approach familiar from his work in the superhero space: turning an initially unlikely property into a box-office success was central to Guardians of the Galaxy, a project once viewed as seemingly unmakeable.
At the same time, Gunn continues to work with some of DC’s best-known heroes. He is executive producing The Batman: Part II and working on the Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow. His role at the studio was recently reaffirmed following Paramount Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros.
Gunn Addresses the Adria Arjona Speculation
Gunn also attempted to cool a separate round of DC casting speculation involving Adria Arjona and Man of Tomorrow.
The theory suggested Arjona could play Wonder Woman after Frank Grillo reposted an image presenting her as the new Diana Prince. Grillo plays Rick Flag in the DC Universe, but Gunn said the repost should not be treated as evidence of a casting decision.
“It’s Frank reposting somebody because it has his photo in it and he loves himself,” Gunn wrote. “I can assure you Frank doesn’t know who Adria is playing in the DCU and whether or not she has any sort of incredibly small cameo in MoT or not. People have been making wayyyyyyyyyyy too much of this.”
Gunn’s wording did not confirm whether Arjona has a DC Universe role or a very small Man of Tomorrow appearance. Instead, he stressed that Grillo’s repost did not establish either possibility.
What Clayface Is About
Directed by Watkins, Clayface stars Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen. The official description charts Hagen’s rise from a Gotham street kid to a Hollywood leading man before an attack changes the course of his life.
That rise is cut short when the actions of a local crime boss leave Hagen horribly disfigured. After being abandoned by his team, he pursues a cutting-edge treatment that restores his former appearance. The procedure also unexpectedly affects his grasp on reality, sending him into a destructive pursuit of revenge.
The premise puts body horror and psychological deterioration at the center of the story rather than relying solely on the familiar structure of a superhero movie. That creative gamble is exactly what Gunn defended in his exchange: filmmakers responding to an idea they find compelling, even when the character is not among DC’s most recognizable names.
What Happens Next?
Clayface is scheduled to open Oct. 23, with tickets now available. Trailers have been released, including a final trailer, but there are not yet any first reactions or reviews for the film.