James Gunn reluctantly confirms when the only non-chronological DCU movie Clayface is set: “Timelines give me anxiety”

James Gunn has indicated that Clayface is set in 2021, making it the only DCU film so far to break the franchise’s broadly chronological release pattern. The placement helps clarify how the new horror film fits into the expanding DC Universe, though its standalone origin story does not currently connect closely to other projects.

Gunn responded to a fan’s proposed timeline by saying it looked “pretty good”, while noting that timelines make him anxious. The proposed order puts Clayface before The Suicide Squad, set in early 2022, and Peacemaker season one, set later that year; although Clayface is released in 2026, it takes place before Superman.