‘Pure F–king Horror’: DC Studios Has Revealed Key Details About Mike Flanagan’s Clayface, And It’s Easily My Most Anticipated DC Universe Movie

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Among the many upcoming DC films that have me eagerly waiting, titles like Superman, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, and The Batman: Part II certainly pique my interest. However, the film I’m most looking forward to on the DC Studios slate is none other than Clayface. My excitement for this movie has been simmering for quite some time now, given my affinity for director Mike Flanagan, and my fascination with his interpretation of the shapeshifting Batman antagonist. That said, my anticipation reached an all-time high this past week when I got to listen to DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran discuss the project’s development and disclose some intriguing details about it.

Last Friday, I was among a select band of journalists who visited the Warner Bros. studio in Burbank, California for a chat with DC Studios’ executives. Among several projects they spoke of, one that stood out as particularly exciting was Clayface. It was revealed that talks are ongoing with director James Watkins (known for Speak No Evil and The Woman In Black) to adapt Mike Flanagan’s script. Filming is expected to start this summer, with a planned release in fall 2026. However, it was the unique approach they mentioned that really caught everyone’s attention.

James Gunn And Peter Safran Were Clearly Blown Away By Mike Flanagan’s Clayface Script

The fact that one of the initial films in the DC Universe focuses on a Batman villain who hasn’t appeared in a live-action Batman blockbuster before might seem surprising, but it could be an indication of the film’s high potential. Gunn and Safran often stated that the projects at DC Studios are chosen based on the quality of the scripts being developed (filming doesn’t start unless there’s a top-notch screenplay), and they are excited about Clayface.

The executives at DC have a background in horror movies – Gunn’s credits span titles like “Dawn of the Dead” and “Slither”, while Safran has produced every film in the “Conjuring” universe. They shared that they had been eager to work on Mike Flanagan’s “Clayface” script even before they held their current positions, as stated by Gunn himself.

One topic Peter and I discussed when we initially received the script was whether, five years ago during our work on Belko Experiment, someone had given us a horror script titled Clayface about this character. We would have been thrilled to produce such a movie because it was an outstanding body horror script. The fact that it’s part of the DCU is just an added bonus.

Safran characterized the tale portrayed in the movie as being just as captivating, gripping, and in numerous aspects even more chilling than the stories of The Penguin and the Joker. He further emphasized the unique type of fear the film will induce: brace yourself for some “extraordinary visceral horror”!

James Gunn Promises Clayface Will Be R-Rated And Both “Psychological” And “Gross”

2024 saw Coralie Fargeat’s film, “The Substance“, achieve remarkable success, making now an ideal moment to delve into the realm of body horror. As such, the upcoming movie, “Clayface“, seems to be arriving at just the right time. Set within the universe being constructed for DC, it’s important to note that it won’t link up with Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” trilogy. Furthermore, it’s clear that the filmmakers aren’t shying away from graphic content when it comes to the movie’s themes.

When discussing the absence of a unified “style” for the DC Universe, James Gunn highlighted the diverse array of upcoming projects set to roll out over the next few years.

After introducing Clayface, let me say this character is genuinely chilling and authentic. The portrayal in their film is remarkably realistic, deeply psychological, and filled with elements of body horror that are downright disturbing. Needless to say, it carries an R-rating.

More Clayface!

I’m intrigued even more about Mike Flanagan’s upcoming movie after the Creature Commandos introduced the enigmatic Clayface in the DC Universe.

As we eagerly anticipate the release of the Clayface movie, here’s a fresh Batman tale that Clayface enthusiasts shouldn’t miss: “In the meantime, while waiting for the Clayface film, an intriguing new Batman story is worth a read for fans of our shapeshifting villain.”

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I can’t help but feel intrigued about Mike Flanagan’s upcoming script for Clayface. While the specifics of how he intends to bring this iconic character to life are still under wraps – whether it will stick close to the comics or carve out a fresh path – one thing is certain: the villainous Clayface was born from the minds of Bill Finger and Bob Kane, first appearing in Detective Comics #40 back in June 1940. Originally, he was portrayed as an actor turned criminal mastermind, but subsequent iterations have reimagined him as a terrifying shapeshifter.

It appears that Flanagan won’t be directing the movie “Clayface” this year, as he’s occupied with steering the upcoming film in the “Exorcist” series and working on his version of Stephen King’s “The Dark Tower”. However, Peter Safran suggests that the arrangement with James Watkins is close to being finalized. The casting process will begin once a director is found for the project, and we might learn more about it when actors agree to join the film.

Keep an eye out right here at TopMob for additional info about Clayface, set to hit theaters on September 11, 2026. This will be just a few months following the release of Supergirl: Woman Of Tomorrow, which is due in theaters on June 26, 2026.

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2025-02-24 21:38