The first villain-focused movie greenlit by DC Studios has been revealed.
Per Variety, a feature film centered around the shapeshifting Batman villain Clayface has been greenlit by DC Studios. The script was written by Mike Flanagan. Plot details are scarce, but filming is expected to begin early next year. Matt Reeves and Lynn Harris will produce through their company 6th & Idaho Productions.
Flanagan first pitched DC Studios on a Clayface project in 2023. Back in 2021, he tweeted that he was “really keen to do a standalone Clayface movie as a horror/thriller/tragedy.” Unfortunately for Flanagan fans, the filmmaker won’t be able to direct since he’s already committed to writing and directing the next The Exorcist movie for Universal.
So, is this an Elseworlds project or part of the DC Universe? It’s hard to say, although I’m leaning towards it being set in Reeves’ The Batman Epic Universe. I mean, Reeves is attached as a producer. Would he be if it wasn’t part of his universe? I have no clue, honestly, but I’m going with it.
Also, Clayface is set to appear in the DCU series, Creature Commandos, meaning that Flanagan’s take would have to align with the version in that show. Would Flanagan compromise his vision for Clayface just to get it greenlit? Again, hard to say.
Anyway, we’ll keep you posted as more information comes out.
Are you down for a Clayface horror-tinged movie?