James Gunn has responded to criticism of the upcoming Clayface film, questioning why audiences should only support projects based on familiar properties.

The DC Studios co-chairman addressed the backlash on Threads after a post questioned who wanted a Clayface movie.

Gunn replied, “Who tf asked for Back to the Future? Casablanca? There’s Something About Mary? Pan’s Labyrinth? Fury Road? Weapons? The Matrix?”

He continued, “Although it may seem like it, Hollywood isn’t a place where the only way to make a movie is the public voting on what IP they want to see that they’ve seen countless times before.”

Photo: Threads

Gunn also defended the creative team behind Clayface, which was developed from an idea by Mike Flanagan, with James Watkins directing and Hossein Amini involved in the screenplay.

“Sometimes someone – in this case initially Mike Flanagan and then James Watkins and Hossein Amini – were inspired by a relatively little known fictional character and crafted what I believe is a very special story around that character,” Gunn wrote.

“I’d take that inspiration a thousand times over some writer trying to make a buck by writing a listless screenplay about a majorly popular character he or she has no passion or feel for,” he added.

The comments come as Clayface faces online criticism and reported concerns about its box-office prospects. Boxoffice Pro projected an opening between $23 million and $33 million.

Starring Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen, Clayface is scheduled to open in cinemas on October 23.