DC’s CLAYFACE Movie Sees Horror Directors in the Running to Helm the Dark Reinvention
DC’s upcoming Clayface movie is starting to take shape, and the studio is deep in the process of trying to find a director.
According to Deadline, DC Studios will be hearing pitches from filmmakers in the coming weeks, and two names already in the mix are Jeff Wadlow (Kick-Ass 2,Truth or Dare) and James Watkins (Speak No Evil).
It makes sense that Clayface is drawing interest from horror directors, as it’s being reported that the film is shaping up to be a “horror-thriller-tragedy”, which suggests a fresh and darker take on the Batman villain.
The report says, “The lead protagonist is not expected to be portrayed as the notorious villain he’s known as in the Batman canon.”So, this version of Clayface could be something unlike anything we’ve seen before in Batman media.
As for casting, things are moving forward, but no names have been floated just yet. The film is part of James Gunn’s DCU Chapter One: Gods and Monsters.
While DC hasn’t released an official synopsis, we know horror maestro Mike Flanagan is handling the script. On the production side, James Gunn and Peter Safran are leading the charge, alongside The Batman’s Matt Reeves and Lynn Harris.
In the comics, Clayface first appeared in Detective Comics #40 back in June 1940. The original version of the character was an actor who turned to crime, adopting the persona of one of his horror roles. Over the years, the character evolved, becoming a monstrous figure made of a strange, shape-shifting clay-like substance.
I’m excited about this movie and it will be interesting to see who ultimatley lands up in the director’s chair. Which of these two directors would you like to see take it on?
Clayface is set to be released in theaters on September 11th, 2026.