Batman Absent as James Gunn's DCU Launches with Clayface

James Gunn's DCU is moving forward without Batman front and center—at least initially. Instead, audiences are getting Clayface, an R-rated body horror deep-dive into one of the Dark Knight's most tragic villains. The film promises to explore the character's origin story through a horror lens, marking a bold departure from traditional superhero fare. It's a risky play that signals Gunn's willingness to let his universe breathe through villain-focused stories before the main heroes take center stage.