For months, DC fans were left wondering whether Clayface—one of Batman’s most tragic and terrifying villains—would ever make his way into James Gunn’s new DCU. Despite Gunn himself saying there were “no plans” for the character, filmmaker Mike Flanagan managed to break through the barriers and secure a green light for a Clayface film.
How Did This Happen?
The biggest reason Flanagan got his project through? He met the one condition that DC Studios co-head Peter Safran demands for all DCU projects: the script had to be undeniably good. Gunn and Safran are putting major emphasis on quality storytelling in their rebooted DCU, meaning no film moves forward unless the script is rock solid.
Flanagan, best known for horror hits like Doctor Sleep and The Haunting of Hill House, had been pitching a Clayface project for years. His version of the character is rumored to be more of a horror-thriller take, possibly stripping away the supernatural shape-shifting abilities in favor of a grounded, psychological approach. The exact details are under wraps, but it was strong enough to win over DC Studios.
What Does This Mean for the DCU?
This is a big deal for two reasons:
- It proves that quality trumps pre-existing plans. Even though Gunn and Safran initially had no intention of using Clayface, they still made room for him when the right script came along. That means other unexpected DC characters could get their shot—if the right filmmaker delivers.
- The horror element could bring new life to DC films. If Flanagan’s take leans into horror, it could pave the way for more genre-driven DC movies. With The Batman: Part II also rumored to feature Clayface in some capacity, we could be seeing multiple versions of the villain across different projects.
While Flanagan wrote the script, he won’t be directing due to other commitments. That leaves an open question—who will bring Clayface to life? No director or cast has been announced yet, but given the film’s approval, we can expect more updates soon.
One thing’s for sure: Clayface is finally stepping into the spotlight. And for fans of Batman’s rogues’ gallery, that’s something to get excited about.
