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DC Studios James Gunn and Peter Safran share updates on Sgt. Rock, The Batman 2, Clayface, and more

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Batman stands across from Catwoman and looks at her.
Warner Bros.

It’s time for another State of the Union from DC Studios.

DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran provided updates on the company’s upcoming projects with a group of journalists on February 21. The address comes two years after Gunn and Safran relaunched the DC Universe and announced plans for Chapter One: Gods and Monsters.

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Starting in the film division, Safran stated DC’s intention to release two live-action movies and one animated film per year. Last week, Daniel Craig departed Sgt. Rock, the upcoming superhero movie from director Luca Guadagnino and screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes. Per Variety, Safran said DC “never met with Daniel,” while Gunn noted that the duo “never announced the project.”

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Safran said Matt Reeves has not completed the full script for The Batman Part II, which moved release dates from October 2026 to October 2027. Speaking of the Batman Epic Crime Saga, the DC executives are unsure if The Penguin will return for season 2. Batman: The Brave and the Bold remains in active development, though Robert Pattinson will likely play that version of the Caped Crusader.

Safran confirmed that Clayface will be directed by James Watkins from a screenplay by Mike Flanagan. Casting has begun. Alan Tudyk, who voices the character in Harley Quinn and Creature Commandos, will not star in the live-action horror. Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is halfway through production, while Ana Nogueira continues to work on a Teen Titans script. Swamp Thing is still in development with James Mangold, and The Authority remains far off.

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DC’s television slate is highlighted by Peacemaker season 2 premiering in August. The Viola Davis-led series Waller is still in development after a “bumpy road” during production. Shows that are happening include Lanterns, which arrives in 2026, and a Blue Beetle animated series, which follows the events of the live-action movie. Paradise Lost and Booster Gold remain in development, though the latter moved on from its initial showrunner.

Finally, animation remains a priority for Gunn and Safran. Dynamic Duo, a movie about Dick Grayson and Jason Todd, remains in pre-production. Three “younger-skewing” animated series have been greenlit, including My Adventures with Green Lantern, DC Super Powers, and Starfire.

DC Studios’ focus will soon shift to promoting and marketing Superman, opening in theaters on July 11, 2025.

Dan Girolamo
Dan Girolamo
Entertainment Writer
Dan is a passionate and multitalented content creator with experience in pop culture, entertainment, and sports. Throughout…
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DC’s Clayface finds director in Speak No Evil’s James Watkins
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Clayface has found its director.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, James Watkins has been hired to direct Clayface for DC Studios. DC co-CEO James Gunn reportedly met with Watkins on Thursday. A deal is now being hammered out.
Watkins recently helmed Speak No Evil, the remake of the 2022 Danish psychological thriller. Released in October, Speak No Evil grossed $76 million worldwide on a $15 million budget.
Clayface was greenlit in December, with Mike Flanagan penning the screenplay. Flanagan, the prominent horror creator who recently helmed The Life of Chuck, could not direct Clayface due to his commitments to a TV adaptation of Carrie and a new Exorcist movie.
Clayface is a shape-shifting villain who serves as a primary antagonist to Batman. However, the movie will likely lean into horror and not be a vehicle to interact with Batman. THR's reporting states Clayface is a "Hollywood horror tale centering on a B-movie actor who injects himself with a substance to keep himself relevant, only to find out that he can reshape his face and form, becoming a walking piece of clay."

The film is rumored to be budgeted at $40 million.
No casting announcements have been made. Gunn and his DC co-CEO Peter Safran initially stated that the actors who portray characters in DC animation will also play them in live action. For example, Frank Grillo voiced Rick Flag Sr. in the animated Creature Commandos. Grillo will soon appear as the live-action Flag in Superman and Peacemaker season 2. Currently, Alan Tudyk voices Clayface in two animated series: Creature Commandos and Harley Quinn.
Clayface will reportedly film later this year. Gunn and Safran will produce alongside The Batman's Matt Reeves and Lynn Harris.

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007 stunner: Amazon MGM Studios gains creative control of James Bond franchise
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In a stunning decision, Amazon MGM Studios has gained creative control over the James Bond franchise.
James Bond's longtime producers, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, are handing the 007 creative reins to Amazon MGM Studios. Wilson and Broccoli announced Thursday the formation of a new joint venture to house the James Bond intellectual property rights. The producing duo will remain co-owners of the franchise.
“Since his theatrical introduction over 60 years ago, James Bond has been one of the most iconic characters in filmed entertainment,” said Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios. “We are grateful to the late Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman for bringing James Bond to movie theatres around the world, and to Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for their unyielding dedication and their role in continuing the legacy of the franchise that is cherished by legions of fans worldwide. We are honoured to continue this treasured heritage, and look forward to ushering in the next phase of the legendary 007 for audiences around the world.”

“With my 007 career spanning nearly 60 incredible years, I am stepping back from producing the James Bond films to focus on art and charitable projects. Therefore, Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future,” said Wilson.

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Daniel Craig exits DC Studios’ Sgt. Rock movie
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Late last year, former James Bond actor Daniel Craig was attached to star in a DC Studios film based on the World War II hero Sgt. Rock. That project would have reunited Craig with Queer director Luca Guadagnino and screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes. However, Craig has reportedly dropped out of the film and DC Studios will need to find someone else to play Sergeant Franklin John Rock.

The Hollywood Reporter broke the story about Craig's departure, but the reason for his exit remains uncertain. THR suggested that some sources blamed Craig's decision on Queer's failure to produce box office results or awards season nominations, while others said that it was because of scheduling issues with Craig's wife, Rachel Weisz. Either way, DC Studios still plans to move forward with a Sgt. Rock movie, with a potential shoot planned for this summer in England. The Bear's Jeremy Allen White was mentioned as a possible replacement for Craig, but he isn't the only candidate up for the role.

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