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James Gunn explains why some DCU movies like Clayface are standalone and some are “part of a larger narrative structure”
James Gunn has explained that the DCU is designed to mix standalone films with stories that contribute to a larger narrative. He said each film in the connected storyline should still make sense on its own, while projects such as *Clayface* can stand apart, giving filmmakers room for different approaches.
Gunn said the often-mentioned eight to ten-year roadmap covered the wider DC strategy as well as story plans, including developing major and smaller characters and allowing varied tones and ratings. He described *Man of Tomorrow*, the next DCU film and a quasi-sequel to *Superman*, as an example of the broader narrative taking shape. Its cast includes David Corenswet, Nicholas Hoult, Rachel Brosnahan, Milly Alcock, Aaron Pierre and Lars Eidinger; it is due on 9 July.
In short
- The DCU will combine standalone films and connected stories.
- Gunn says connected films should also work independently.
- *Man of Tomorrow* is the next chapter after *Superman*.
Explained simply
DC Comics is a long-running publisher whose characters include Superman, Batman and Clayface. Its films have often been made in separate series, so the same character can appear in different versions that do not share a story world.
James Gunn is a filmmaker who leads DC Studios with Peter Safran. They are building a new shared screen universe, the DCU, in which some films connect to an ongoing story while others stand alone. The approach matters because it shapes how audiences can follow the films and gives filmmakers different ways to tell stories about DC characters.
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