James Gunn Debunks Daniel Radcliffe Casting Rumors Amid ‘Clayface’ Film Developments

DC Studios’ upcoming ‘Clayface’ movie, penned by Mike Flanagan and directed by James Watkins, is slated for a September 2026 release.

James Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios, has addressed recent speculation regarding the casting of Daniel Radcliffe as the lead in the forthcoming ‘Clayface’ film. On Thursday, Gunn took to social media platform Threads to clarify the situation, stating, “As we confirmed the other day, we’re closing a deal with James to direct. Because we don’t have a director yet, we haven’t even started the casting process. Daniel is great but we certainly haven’t talked to or considered him. So this one is 100% false.”

The ‘Clayface’ project, part of the new DC Universe (DCU), is scheduled for a September 11, 2026 release. The film is penned by Mike Flanagan, known for his work in the horror genre, and will be directed by James Watkins. Filming is set to commence in mid-2025. Matt Reeves, director of ‘The Batman,’ is on board as a producer, alongside Lynn Harris of 6th & Idaho Productions.

Peter Safran, co-CEO of DC Studios, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “Clayface isn’t as widely known as Penguin or Joker, but we think his story is deeply resonant, thrilling, and even more terrifying.” Flanagan has previously shared his vision for the film, aiming to approach it as a “horror/thriller/tragedy.”

‘Clayface’ first appeared in Detective Comics #40 in June 1940. The original character, Basil Karlo, was a moderately successful actor who turned to crime, adopting the identity of a character he had portrayed in a horror film. Over the years, multiple iterations of Clayface have emerged, often depicted as shape-shifting adversaries of Batman. The character has appeared in various media, including television series such as ‘Gotham’ and ‘Pennyworth.’

As the project progresses, fans can anticipate further updates on casting and production details for this intriguing addition to the DCU.