DC Studios Reportedly Looking to Cast a “Much Younger” Actor for Clayface in the DCU
As you may have heard, there have been rumors about Josh Brolin possibly taking on the role of Clayface in the DCU in the film that Mike Flanagan developed for DC Studios. Well, a new report suggests that DC Studios is going in a very different direction.
According to insider information, the studio is looking at casting a "much younger" actor for the shape-shifting villain, putting an end to speculation surrounding Brolin’s involvement.
Brolin, who famously portrayed Thanos in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, was previously considered for the role of Hal Jordan in Lanterns. While he turned down that opportunity, his name has continued to surface as someone James Gunn reportedly hopes to involve in the DCU.
Naturally, fans began to wonder if he might be a fit for Clayface. However, Nexus Point News’ @ApocHorseman, debunked those rumors, explaining that Brolin is not under consideration for the part.
The scooper said: "Not true," in response to online speculation. He added: "Like I said, it’s gonna be someone much younger. They haven’t even started casting and won’t do so until they have a director.
“Someone claims DC still wants Brolin for a role and then everyone assumes he’s gonna be cast in the next project to start casting."
While Brolin might still be on DC Studios’ radar for a future role, Clayface won’t be it. It’s said that the search for the villain will reportedly begin only after a director is attached to the project.
I should point out that Alan Tudyk voices Clayface in the Creature Commandos animated series and it makes me wonder if he might also play the live-action version as well.
I know Tudyk is not a younger actor, but he has already been cast as the animated version of the character, and Gunn has said that the actors he’s cast in the animated series will also play the live-action versions of these characters. But, that may not apply to all of them.
Clayface is one of Batman’s oldest adversaries, first appearing in the 1940s just months after The Joker’s debut. The original iteration, Basil Karlo, was a deranged B-list actor who became a masked killer after being replaced in the role of a character he once played.
Fueled by vengeance, he targeted the cast of the film made without him until Batman and Robin stopped his murderous rampage.
Over the decades, the character evolved. Karlo eventually gained shape-shifting abilities, but many fans are most familiar with the second Clayface, Matt Hagen, from Batman: The Animated Series. Hagen’s tragic backstory involved an anti-aging cream that transformed him into a monstrous figure.
There have also been several other versions of the character, including Preston Payne, Sondra Fuller, and others, each bringing unique abilities and personalities to the mantle of Clayface.
DC Studios co-head James Gunn has excitedly talked about the Clayface movie, saying that it originated from a strong pitch by Flanagan.
He said: “I didn’t plan on making a Clayface movie. Mike came in. He pitched this wonderful idea. I was like, ‘Damn, I can’t believe you got me to want to make a Clayface movie.’”
Gunn described the development process as a collaborative one: “He goes and he writes the script. First draft is great. Second draft is even better. And then I’m like, ‘Let’s do it.’ So we found a place for it because if there’s quality stuff, we can find a way to work it in.”
The Clayface movie is set to be released on September 11, 2026, and it’ll be interesting to see how ends up ultimately starring in the film. Who would you like to see take on the role of Clayface?