Mike Flanagan Confirms Inspiration for Clayface Movie (And Batman Fans Will Be Stoked)

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The DC Universe is about to begin in earnest as Superman prepares for his debut, and there are numerous movies and television series planned under the banner of Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, with a movie being one of them.

In the coming months, our new project will be my debut into the realm of superheroes, as I write the screenplay for an upcoming movie titled “Clayface,” scheduled to premiere in autumn 2026. This film has been characterized as a unique take on the classic superhero storyline. Recently, during an interview about his recent Stephen King adaptation of “The Life of Chuck,” the filmmaker discussed the forthcoming DCU production and hinted that his inspiration is derived from a beloved Batman comic series, “Batman: The Animated Series.

From 1992 to 1995, “Batman: The Animated Series” aired on Fox Kids. This animated series consisted of 85 episodes in total. While not the initial animated Batman show, it’s commonly regarded as one of the best. It was praised for its storytelling, vocal performances, and portrayal of the Caped Crusader, winning four Emmy Awards to boot.

Flanagan emphasized that his fresh interpretation of Clayface would be influenced heavily by the animated series, specifically the two-part episode “Feat of Clay” from Season 1’s 20th and 21st episodes. Yet, he mentioned that the script would require some modifications.

When questioned about drawing inspiration from “Batman: The Animated Series,” he stated, “Indeed, it was. To put it simply, ‘Feat of Clay,’ with Ron Perlman in the role, captures the essence for me. That two-part episode left a lasting impact on me. In short, my script was undeniably influenced by that series. Batman: The Animated Series during my childhood was my version of Batman.”

Flanagan went on to say, “Michael Keaton may have been my version of Batman, but the animated series was truly the Batman I knew and loved.

Regarding the progress on Clayface, Flanagan didn’t have any new information. In essence, he said, “I don’t know what they’re planning for Clayface. I’m not involved with it, and the filmmaker will have to make it their own.” The creator of “The Haunting of Hill House” shared this. He knows that they are working on the script. For now, he is busy with other projects. However, he hopes that it stays true to the essence of his vision. Since it’s not his movie, he will be eagerly waiting, just like you, to see how it unfolds.

In Batman: The Animated Series, the two-part storyline is centered around Clayface’s origins. It narrates the tale of Matt Hagen, a well-known actor who meets a tragic accident in a car crash, leaving him disfigured. To recover his appearance and gain the ability to transform into anyone he desires, Hagen takes an experimental drug. However, this power comes with a cost as he becomes addicted to the substance.

What to Know About the Clayface Movie

As a DC Universe enthusiast, I can’t contain my excitement as Clayface is slated to be the third film in our beloved DCU! The rebooted universe commences with Superman gracing our screens on July 11, followed closely by another yet-to-be-named movie set for release on June 26, 2026. And At this moment, no actors have been confirmed for the project, but Mike Flanagan will be directing the film based on his script.

In addition to the three movies, other titles in DCU’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters also include “The Authority,” “The Brave and the Bold,” “Swamp Thing,” a yet-to-be-titled “Teen Titans” film, and an as-of-yet unnamed project featuring both Bane and Deathstroke.

Clayface comes out in theaters on Nov. 9, 2026.

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2025-06-01 19:12