The DC Universe (DCU) is officially broadening its Gotham mythos. After months of silence on upcoming Batman spin-offs, two long-awaited projects have received major updates — the animated hybrid Dynamic Duo and the live-action thriller Clayface. Both represent DC Studios’ evolving vision for grounded, stylistically distinct storytelling within its growing cinematic world.
Dynamic Duo Begins Casting: A New Kind of Batman Story
DC Studios’ Dynamic Duo has officially kicked off its casting process, marking the project’s most significant step forward since its announcement.
According to a post by Swaybox Studios on Instagram, the production team will start accepting online auditions beginning November 15, 2025. The post asked aspiring performers, “Have you ever dreamed of performing in a DC Studios movie?” — opening the door for global participation in this unique creative experiment.
Accompanying the announcement was the first teaser footage from Dynamic Duo, making it the earliest official preview for any upcoming DC film — arriving more than 960 days before release. The clip depicts a station wagon driving through a rain-soaked Gotham, crashing into a pillar — moody, atmospheric, and teasing the film’s tone of melancholy and mystery.
Overview Table: Dynamic Duo Production Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Dynamic Duo |
| Type | Animated-Puppet Hybrid (Stop-Motion & CGI) |
| Director | Arthur Mintz |
| Producers | Matt Reeves’ 6th & Idaho, DC Studios |
| Screenwriters | Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber |
| Main Characters | Dick Grayson & Jason Todd |
| Casting Start Date | November 15, 2025 |
| Production Studio | Swaybox Studios |
| Release Date | June 30, 2028 |
| Format | Theatrical |
| Status | Casting & Early Pre-Production |
A Unique Creative Vision
Directed by Arthur Mintz, Dynamic Duo will use an unprecedented blend of stop-motion animation, puppetry, and CGI to tell a grounded story about Gotham’s vigilantes — but through an emotionally charged, tactile lens.
The narrative will explore the relationship between Dick Grayson and Jason Todd, the first two Robins, as they navigate their partnership and moral choices under Batman’s watchful shadow.
Producer Matt Reeves, whose The Batman universe continues in parallel development, described Dynamic Duo as “a fresh yet timeless look at legacy and brotherhood in Gotham.”
“We wanted to create something that feels handmade and heartfelt — a Batman story that beats with human emotion while still embracing myth and mystery,” said Arthur Mintz, the film’s director.
James Gunn on DCU Canon: A Standalone Yet Connected Tale
DC Studios’ co-CEO James Gunn addressed the film’s DCU connection in early 2025. Speaking to Screen Rant, Gunn said:
“There might be a way it could fit into the DCU. I’d love for this animated puppet movie to exist within our universe, but the story is so unique that it might stand on its own.”
This flexibility reflects the new DCU strategy — encouraging variety across tones and formats while maintaining creative freedom for storytellers. Dynamic Duo could therefore mirror Elseworlds titles like Joker and The Batman, operating alongside but not necessarily within the shared universe.
Clayface: Gotham’s Monster Steps Into the Spotlight
While Dynamic Duo is in early stages, DC Studios’ Clayface is already deep into production — and it’s making headlines for redefining superhero filmmaking budgets and tone.
Set for release on September 11, 2026, Clayface marks the DCU’s third official feature film, introducing audiences to Basil Karlo, the classic Batman villain known for his grotesque shapeshifting abilities. The movie stars Tom Rhys Harries as Clayface and is directed by James Watkins (The Woman in Black) from a script by Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House).
Overview Table: Clayface Movie Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Clayface |
| Director | James Watkins |
| Screenwriter | Mike Flanagan |
| Lead Star | Tom Rhys Harries as Basil Karlo / Clayface |
| Genre | Psychological Horror / Superhero Drama |
| Estimated Budget | $40–45 million |
| Production Status | In Production |
| Universe | DCU (Connected Canon) |
| Release Date | September 11, 2026 |
A Strategic Shift in the DCU
Unlike early DCEU blockbusters that often crossed the $150–$250 million mark, Clayface will operate on a modest $40 million budget. The move signals a deliberate shift toward mid-budget, genre-driven storytelling — a formula proven successful by films like Joker and The Batman.
This restrained budget doesn’t signal a lack of ambition. Instead, it reflects DC Studios’ renewed focus on creativity over scale.
“Clayface represents what we want the DCU to be — bold, character-first, and emotionally intense,” a DC Studios spokesperson shared. “We’re not chasing spectacle for its own sake. We’re chasing great stories.”
Why Clayface’s Horror Focus Is a Smart Move?
The horror genre has long offered high return-on-investment potential, and blending it with DC’s mythology could make Clayface one of the most profitable films in 2026.
The psychological-horror direction will explore the tragedy behind Basil Karlo — a man so desperate to restore his humanity that he loses it entirely.
Moreover, by emphasizing self-contained storytelling early in the DCU’s roadmap, Clayface lowers the barrier for audiences fatigued by convoluted superhero lore.
The film’s early concept art and leaked imagery suggest a visually haunting tone, echoing The Fly and The Shape of Water more than a typical comic book movie. This tonal diversification is key to DC’s long-term strategy.
Comparing Strategies: DCEU vs DCU
The old DCEU began with large-scale spectacles like Man of Steel ($225M), Batman v Superman ($263M), and Suicide Squad ($175M). In contrast, the new DCU under Gunn and Safran is focusing on creative diversity:
| Universe Phase | Film | Budget (Approx.) | Tone/Genre |
|---|---|---|---|
| DCEU Phase 1 (2013–2016) | Man of Steel, BvS, Suicide Squad | $175–260M | Action Blockbuster |
| DCU Phase 1 (2025–2026) | Superman, Clayface, Supergirl | $40–200M | Character & Genre Focus |
| Difference | Shift from large ensemble crossovers to grounded, standalone narratives | – | – |
This approach mirrors Marvel’s early phase but with a deeper creative independence granted to filmmakers.
DC’s Future in Gotham
Between Dynamic Duo and Clayface, DC is establishing two sides of Gotham’s identity — one emotionally tender and stylistically experimental, the other dark, horrifying, and tragic. Both promise to enrich Batman’s mythos without relying on yet another retelling of Bruce Wayne’s story.
Future DCU plans hint that these projects may pave the way for The Brave and the Bold, the upcoming mainline Batman film, which will introduce Bruce and Damian Wayne.
Conclusion
From puppetry to psychological horror, DC Studios is redefining what Gotham means for modern audiences. The studio’s willingness to take creative risks — both in medium and budget — could usher in a new golden era for DC storytelling.
As the DCU matures, fans can expect a broader emotional palette — stories of monsters, mentors, and moral conflict — all orbiting the dark heart of Gotham.
FAQs
It follows the early partnership between the first two Robins — Dick Grayson and Jason Todd — in an animated hybrid film combining stop-motion, CGI, and puppetry.
Director James Gunn said it “might fit into the DCU” but could also stand alone as its own creative universe.
Clayface is set for September 11, 2026.
DC Studios is shifting to a more sustainable model focused on mid-budget, story-driven projects rather than large-scale CGI spectacles.
The film is scheduled for a June 30, 2028 theatrical release.
