New information about Mike Flanagan’s Clayface movie has surfaced, shedding light on what fans can expect from the solo project.
DC Studios is officially moving forward with a solo Clayface movie, with acclaimed horror filmmaker Mike Flanagan attached as the screenwriter. Known for The Haunting of Hill House and Doctor Sleep, Flanagan will bring his signature style to the script, though he is not currently expected to direct.
Clayface’s DC Universe future
During a conversation with entertainment reporter Brandon Davis, DC Studios co-head Peter Safran revealed that the movie will embrace full-on horror elements, drawing comparisons to David Cronenberg’s The Fly. Safran teased that the project is “not campy,” though details about its plot remain under wraps.
DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran told me after the #Superman Q&A that the Clayface movie is currently looking for a director and will start filming early next year.
He said it’s not campy, it’s DC’s The Fly. pic.twitter.com/UzdJIzzZ1C
— Brandon Davis (@BrandonDavisBD) December 19, 2024
As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, the film is being developed with a budget of approximately $40 million. This makes it a smaller-scale project compared to traditional superhero blockbusters, aligning with DC’s approach to diversify its slate after the Max animated series Creature Commandos and the upcoming Superman movie.
According to THR, Flanagan’s passion for the character stems from the Clayface episodes of the classic Batman: The Animated Series, which he has cited as a major influence. The animated series highlighted the character’s tragic backstory, a theme Flanagan is expected to build upon in his script.
Clayface first appeared in Detective Comics #40 in 1940, created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane. Over the years, multiple versions of the character have been introduced, each with its own backstory and powers, ranging from the original Basil Karlo, a failed actor, to later iterations like Matt Hagen and Preston Payne. It remains unclear which version Flanagan will focus on in his adaptation.
Stay tuned for the latest news regarding the future of the Clayface movie and the DC Universe!
