Because the DCU‘s Batman film looms, the nascent franchise’s upcoming installment has already teased a major backstory change for considered one of Batman’s most iconic villains. The transfer helps to show how the DCU is forging new paths for DC diversifications as Matt Reeves’ The Batman trilogy ostensibly runs alongside upcoming DCU movies.
To date, the franchise’s solely movie is Superman, with Supergirl set for release one 12 months in a while June 26, 2026. This primary installment alone has already departed from the darker tones embraced by the DCEU, establishing Superman as a beacon of hope in a vibrant setting that evokes the golden and silver ages of comics.
This has led many to surmise that the DCU’s Batman will follow suit, flying within the face of years’ value of precedent and re-establishing a extra colourful rendition of the Caped Crusader. A latest couple of set pictures have lent weight to those theories, hinting {that a} sure Batman villain will probably be extra evocative of early DC Comics depictions.
Clayface’s Penguin Tease Units Up A Very Completely different Background For The Villain Than Is Usually Used
The second DCU film slated for launch in 2026 is Clayface, an surprising adaptation spotlighting considered one of Batman’s most recognizable but underappreciated villains. It can additionally strike a decidedly completely different tone to Superman, leaning into an R-rated comedian e book adaptation and the horror style.
Though Clayface is among the many most underutilized members of Batman’s rogues gallery, the identical cannot be mentioned for the Penguin. Not solely has the villain appeared in two high-profile, live-action Batman movies, however he just lately starred in his personal, self-titled sequence starring Colin Farrell in a very grounded origin story.
The Penguin additionally seems in some just lately revealed set photos for Clayface. The pictures present metropolis partitions lined in graffiti and posters, considered one of which reads “Behold the Penguin Man” with an illustration of a person who carefully resembles Oswald Cobblepot, AKA the Penguin.
The picture appears to counsel that the DCU’s Penguin’s origins are rooted within the circus, which is a far cry from Colin Farrell’s Oz Cobb. This, in flip, means that the DCU’s Penguin will probably be a much more tragic character, with the poster hinting that his appears to be like will trigger him for use as a circus curiosity.
Why Clayface Has Already Set Up The Penguin To Be So Completely different
With no strong phrase on when The Batman – Half II and The Batman – Half III will probably be launched, it’s turning into more and more possible that the grounded trilogy will probably be launched concurrently with the DCU’s personal tackle Batman and his supporting characters. It stands to cause, subsequently, that the DCU would wish to differentiate itself.
One of many major points with having two depictions of the identical character occupying the silver display screen on the identical time is that it might be complicated for informal moviegoers. One other is that it might result in over-saturation and a subsequent decline in curiosity that would negatively have an effect on each franchises.
Guaranteeing that two of the identical character are as distinctive as doable is consequently of paramount significance. Whether or not the DCU’s model is extra lighthearted or extra tragic (because the depiction of him being bought as a circus curiosity would possibly counsel) than The Batman‘s stays to be seen, however the poster hints that he will probably be distinct nonetheless.
It stays unclear whether or not Clayface will function the DCU’s model of the Penguin in-person. Regardless of the case, it’s prone to comprise loads of thrilling first appears to be like at Batman-adjacent characters and locations.
