How James Gunn’s DCU is Fixing the DCEU’s Biggest Mistake Right From the Start

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As a film enthusiast, I can confidently say that if an intriguing concept lands on James Gunn’s desk at DC Studios, he’ll give it due consideration, and in certain instances, he might even give it the green light. The swift progression of Clayface’s development serves as a testament to the fact that anything is possible in the DC Universe – a mindset that I believe the DC Extended Universe should have embraced during its challenging times.

Undeniably, Superman will kick off the DC Universe’s major movie ventures, reprising the Man of Steel in a visually stunning live-action return. Following closely, Supergirl is poised to join the scene and is expected to tie into the storyline of its precursor in some manner.

The upcoming DCU film slated for release on September 11, 2026, is titled Clayface. This movie explores the backstory of a villain who currently lacks a hero counterpart. Director James Gunn appears unfazed about the sequence of events, as horror maestro Mike Flanagan takes on writing duties for this project, and James Watkins from Speak No Evil is all set to take up the director’s role.

Gunn is extremely certain about the project, to the point where he’s prepared to declare that it seems probable it will receive an R-rating (from the DC Studios Showcase Official Podcast)).

In essence, since the Motion Picture Association is monitoring it, it doesn’t have a rating yet. However, given its intensity, it seems destined for an R-rating.

Learning that a comic book project will be quite engaging, or dynamic, ahead of its release is truly exciting.

Occasionally, rumors surface that a superhero production might delve into more adult themes. Yet, such ventures seldom materialize due to concerns among producers about offending viewers and potentially damaging ticket sales.

If the DCEU had remained committed to its original vision, it might have evolved into something quite distinct from what we saw at the end of its tenure.

The DCEU Played Scared When It Didn’t Have the Luxury

It’s not unusual for DC to produce R-rated films. This is evident in movies like Joker, both Suicide Squad installments, Birds of Prey, and Zack Snyder’s Justice League, all of which carry this rating.

Snyder’s masterpiece might not be grouped with his other films due to its initial release on HBO Max instead of cinemas. This matters because DC’s other R-rated movies are standalone within their respective franchise segments and don’t significantly influence the primary storyline.

Another DC film, “Black Adam,” almost received an R-rating, and it seems to be more aligned with the overall storyline of the DCEU. Characters from the series “Peacemaker,” Amanda Waller, and Superman make cameo appearances, and the film’s authenticity is bolstered by Dwayne Johnson being the main star.

In order to make the movie “Black Adam” easier for audiences to watch, the decision was made to reduce the violence throughout four rounds of edits (as reported by Variety). The end result is acceptable, featuring a few striking action scenes and character interactions, but it doesn’t have enough impact to alter the pecking order of any cinematic universe.

By toning down Black Adam to a PG-13 rating, it likely attracted a broader audience and alleviated some tension in box office discussions. However, the decision to release essentially the same film but with a few extra death scenes might have added an edge to help it distinguish itself amidst the vast superhero movie landscape, particularly when the Marvel Cinematic Universe was experiencing a bit of a lull (for more on how Marvel Studios is working to revitalize their franchise).

Three years on, Gunn finds himself in a similar situation as his past counterparts, yet he is distinct in his willingness to empower filmmakers rather than restrict them. Whether this approach will prove successful remains uncertain, but it’s clear that the upcoming ‘Clayface’ could pack a bigger punch with an R-rating over a PG-13 one.

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2025-06-25 20:34