DCClayface is currently shooting in Liverpool, and thanks to set dressing popping up all over the city, we’ve got clues as to what expect from the future of the DC Universe.
Directed by horror helmer James Watkins (The Woman in Black, Speak no Evil), from a script co-written by Mike Flanagan (Gerald’s Game, Doctor Sleep), Clayface is set to be a scary superhero movie that carries an R-rating.
The film stars Tom Rhys Harris as the title character, an actor who becomes disfigured, before experimentation turn his body to clay.
Posters spotted on the set of the movie promote ‘The Fly Graysons,’ paving the way for Robin’s arrival. While another advertisement suggests a new take on a beloved Batman villain.
Penguin exists in the Clayface universe
The Penguin appeared in the 1960s Batman TV show and movie, while Danny DeVito delivered one of the great supervillain performances as Oswald Cobblepot in Batman Returns.
More recently Colin Farrell played Oz Cobb in The Batman movie and The Penguin TV show, which was a more grounded version of the character.
But based on posters that appeared on the Clayface set (spotted by Chimichangaprod on IG), a more freakish version of Penguin exists in this new universe.
The promos feature the drawing of a man who looks like a penguin, staring at an actual penguin, while written above and below are the words: ‘Behold, the one and only Penguin Man – now at Amusement Mile.’
HBOAmusement Mile is a Gotham City amusement part from the comics, while it was also used as a location in the Birds of Prey movie.
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Making Penguin an attraction in the park suggest that the character will be utilised as a curiosity to be pointed and laughed at, which is very different to how the HBO show is presenting Penguin.
As with that Flying Graysons artwork, this could just be background detail to lend color to Clayface. But equally it could be helping to set up the arrival of Penguin in the DCU, via a much more tragic version of the character.
For more DC action, find out why Clayface is appearing in the DCU and not The Batman 2, plus what we know about Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow, or check out our guide to every upcoming DCU movie and show.