DC Plans Multiple Batman Villains Across New Films, Animated Releases

DC is expanding its Batman universe with several new projects and character recasts as part of James Gunn's DC Universe (DCU) slate. A new Clayface film, directed by Mike Flanagan and set to release in 2026, confirms the use of the Matt Hagen version of the villain, with Tom Rhys Harries portraying the character; set photos hint that the story may involve Matt staging his own death to embrace his villain identity. Meanwhile, the Joker is expected to be recast in the DCU, moving away from Jared Leto's controversial portrayal, with potential actors like Jack Quaid and David Dastmalchian being considered due to their superhero experience and previous collaborations with Gunn. In addition, the upcoming Elseworlds animated film Aztec Batman: Clash of Empires reimagines Batman's origin and features a new Two-Face, voiced by Álvaro Morte, known for his role as the Professor in Money Heist, bringing intensity and depth to the character. Robert Pattinson's Batman exists separately from the DCU, though there is speculation about potential connections between his Gotham and the larger franchise, especially with Clayface's story filmed in similar locales. These developments illustrate DC's multifaceted approach to Batman lore, balancing new narrative directions with both fresh and familiar talent across various formats.