DC Studios Announces First R-Rated Movie of the New DCU

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Amongst the 2026 films planned by DC Studios, one has officially been slated for an R-rating, tailored to its narrative. Historically, the DC Universe hasn’t shied away from mature, R-rated storylines, a trend that predates James Gunn and Peter Safran assuming their roles as co-CEOs. Now, this tradition will persist as a fresh wave of superhero tales aimed at adults is poised to emerge.

James Gunn, one of the co-CEOs at DC Studios, has confirmed that the Clayface movie scheduled for 2026 within the DC Universe will carry an R-rating. Given his past experience with R-rated comic book adaptations like The Suicide Squad, Peacemaker, and Creature Commandos, it’s evident that Gunn aims to push the boundaries in terms of violence, gore, and frightening elements as he leads the next phase of DC storytelling. This suggests that Warner Bros. may be prepared to present more adult-oriented adventures in the future.

In a conversation on the DC Studios Showcase Official Podcast, Gunn mentioned that Clayface’s development leans toward an R-rating. Although this isn’t confirmed until the Motion Picture Association evaluates the film, he suggested that it might be “most likely rated R” due to the storyline being “quite intense.

Indeed, it carries an R rating. Although the Motion Picture Association hasn’t officially reviewed it yet, given its intensity, it’s highly probable that it will receive an R rating.

As a die-hard cinema fan, I must say it’s exhilarating to witness the third time Clayface is being utilized in an adult-oriented DC production within recent years. Interestingly, this marks his debut in live-action, which is quite intriguing given his previous stint in the animated Harley Quinn series where he played a comically supportive role. However, the animated Creature Commandos series reimagined Clayface in a far more terrifying light for two episodes, with both portrayals expertly brought to life by Alan Tudyk.

At present, it’s officially confirmed that DC Studios is working on a standalone film for Clayface, starring Tom Rhys Harries as Basil Karlo. Although the specifics of the storyline are still being finalized, James Watkins will direct the movie and Mike Flanagan will pen the script. As of now, the unnamed Clayface film is planned for a theater release on September 11, 2026.

How Clayface Will Continue R-Rated DCU Content

As a movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled about the plethora of DC Universe films in the pipeline under James Gunn’s leadership. Naturally, not all these movies will be R-rated. Given that superhero flicks predominantly dwell within the PG-13 realm for commercial and audience accessibility reasons, it’s reasonable to anticipate a limited number of films deviating from the norm with an R rating. Nevertheless, when it comes to movies like Clayface, which could leverage the R-rating effectively, Gunn appears unfazed in giving them the green light for production.

Moving ahead, a significant portion of Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters remains shrouded in mystery. However, the creative team, led by Gunn, has a variety of character choices that could potentially warrant an R-rating when translated to the silver screen.

At the top of the list is “The Authority,” a squad DC Studios presents as their counterpart to Prime Video’s “The Boys.” Given the way The Boys has revolutionized mature and adult-oriented superhero narratives in streaming, a comparable team within the DC Universe could capitalize on similar success, especially focusing on a group of villains.

An alternative contender might be Swamp Thing, set to be directed by James Mangold (known for the successful R-rated Marvel film Logan). Regrettably, due to the production hurdles surrounding this movie, it seems like fans will have to wait a while longer before they get any updates on what we can expect from the storyline.

As a cinephile diving into the dynamic world of DCU, I eagerly anticipate the arrival of more adult-oriented narratives. Given the ongoing development of R-rated projects, it’s clear that James Gunn’s expanding universe will be rich with mature and captivating adventures.

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2025-06-21 20:04