Now That Mike Flanagan Is Officially Handling A Clayface Movie For James Gunn’s DCU, I Have Three Big Questions

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As a gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that Mike Flanagan is quickly becoming one of my favorite creators in the entertainment industry. His ability to blend horror and emotion in such a captivating way has made him a standout among his peers.

Regardless of the numerous horror films and TV shows he’s got lined up, director Mike Flanagan has been effortlessly gathering intriguing new projects. Recently, he’s taken on revamping iconic stories such as his reinterpretation of The Exorcist and a series adaption of Stephen King’s Carrie. Now, he’s officially confirmed to script a Clayface film within the DC Universe, under James Gunn’s leadership.

This collaboration between horror and DC enthusiasts is like two worlds intertwining in a chilling fashion, and I can hardly contain my anticipation as the mind behind “The Haunting of Hill House” reimagines the Batman antagonist’s history. The result promises to evoke deep emotions and leave you hesitant to venture into even a dimly lit corner – it’s classic Mike Flanagan style!

Given the news that the project seems to be progressing faster than anticipated, with an expected launch “early next year” as reported by Variety, I’m left wondering what horrors and comics enthusiasts might anticipate from Flanagan’s initial exploration of the DC universe.

Who Will Direct This Villainous Chapter From Batman’s Lore?

Since Mike Flanagan typically directs his own screenplays, particularly for films rather than TV series, I’m eager to discover who will step up to interpret the writer’s ideas and dialogue. (While at the same time keeping my fingers crossed that he might find a way to fit it into his schedule and direct it himself.)

Is it possible that someone who has collaborated with Flanagan in the past could be the director? For example, his long-term cinematographer Michael Fimognari, who is also recognized for directing both sequels of “To All The Boys“. Alternatively, directors who have worked on Flanagan’s shows in the horror genre might be candidates, such as E.L. Katz from “Azrael“, Axelle Carolyn from “The Manor“, or Ciarán Foy from “Citadel“.

Will James Gunn and other DC executives instead choose horror directors with previous blockbuster experience, like James Wan (director of The Conjuring and Aquaman sequel) or Andy Muschietti (director of The Flash and It: Chapter 1 & 2)? Alternatively, could they opt for an emerging director such as Kate Siegel, who directed the V/H/S/Beyond short that her husband Flanagan wrote?

How Does Mike Flanagan’s Script Address The Actual Shapeshifting?

In asking this question, I’m more interested in understanding if Flanagan designed the scenes in a way to minimize the use of computer-generated imagery (CGI) for Clayface’s transformations between human and amorphous form, rather than delving into the specific scientific aspects of how such a transformation might occur.

Over the course of his professional journey, the filmmaker has consistently favored practical on-set effects and limited the use of digital enhancements. Characters such as Clayface present an especially tough task in this regard, as it would be difficult to convincingly transform a human hand into a hammer or a fish, for instance. Given DC’s investment in this project, it’s likely they won’t be taking any cost-cutting measures.

As a dedicated fan, even though Mike Flanagan isn’t directing this upcoming Clayface movie, I find myself envisioning it as the kind of film he would have crafted. Given his penchant for creative, CGI-light transitions, I can’t help but imagine that’s the Clayface story he’d want to tell. However, I also recognize that a movie can only deliver so many off-screen transformations before audience feedback may become a factor.

Will Mike Flanagan’s Clayface Story Involve Recreating Movie Sets À La Doctor Sleep?

Let me explain: Mike Flanagan skillfully recreated one of cinema’s most enchanting versions of the Overlook Hotel in Doctor Sleep, essentially rebuilding the set from The Shining. (It’s worth noting that he achieved this with minimal CGI.) And over different eras of Hollywood, Clayface’s character Basil Karlo is frequently depicted as an actor with varying talent levels.

It could be that the character Basil Karlo from DCU might be scripted to have previously worked on real films by Warner Bros., allowing him to revisit iconic sets such as those reminiscent of the Overlook Hotel or settings like the ones seen in _Blade Runner_ or Nancy’s house from _A Nightmare on Elm Street_. If luck were on our side, a Clayface movie might incorporate a meta twist by casting Basil Karlo as an extra in Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman film. Although it seems quite unlikely, even for a visionary like James Gunn, such a scenario is not entirely out of the question.

Bat-Bonus Question: Will Batman Actually Be In The Movie?

After finishing a season of The Penguin, since I understand that Robert Pattinson’s Batman won’t oppose the criminal organization, I’m completely content to approach a Clayface movie with similar expectations. Regardless, I believe the experience exploring the villain’s story will still be worth the ticket cost.

Given that Reeves and Patterson’s world isn’t our DC Universe, and we’re yet to find out who their Batman is, it’s plausible to assume that Gunn could be intending to employ his Dark Knight in more than just The Brave and the Bold. It’s possible that Mike Flanagan would have the answer about whether Batman appears in his script. However, it wouldn’t surprise me if DC producers were to add a new scene during filming, which might feature a surprising cameo from such an iconic hero.

Instead of continuing this series of questions, it seems wiser to simply revisit Mike Flanagan’s impressive collection of films. Keep an eye out for updates on the upcoming Clayface movie.

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2024-12-12 22:08