Summary
Last year, fans learned that a fan-favorite horror filmmaker pitched aBatmanvillain spinoff to Warner Bros. and DC. There has been little news on that pitch since it was first reported, but a new rumor now claims DC Studios is moving forward with the project.
Batmanfans received surprising news whenDeadlinereported that horror writer and directorMike Flanagan pitched a Clayface movie to DCStudios bosses James Gunn and Peter Safran. While Warner Bros. and DC reportedly hadn’t said “no,” the project wasn’t greenlit and no deals or offers were made. According to the report, Flanagan didn’t pitch the project as part of Matt Reeves’The Batman universe and his version of Clayface wouldn’t be a “bad buy.” While Flanagan had previously expressed interest in a Clayface movie, he responded to the report by saying it was “entirely speculative,” promising he would tell fans if it became a reality.
Over a year later, reputable scooperDanielRPKreports that Flanagan’s Clayface pitch is moving forward at DC Studios and the script is being written now.Apocalyptic Horsemannoted that the Clayface movie script by Flanagan is finished and production aims to begin in Spring 2025. According to Apocalyptic Horseman, fans should expect Flanagan’s Clayface movie to be one of the next DC films afterSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. Apocalyptic Horseman added that Flanagan will write but not direct the Clayface movie because it conflicts with his commitment to helm the nextExorcistmovie.
Apocalyptic Horseman also commented on the casting for the Clayface movie. When he unveiled his initial DCU slate,
Gunn made a significant announcement:DC characters would be played by the same actorsin live-action projects, animated entries, and video games. With Alan Tudyk voicing Clayface in the animated DCU seriesCreature Commandos, one fan asked if this meant Tudyk would play the character in Flanagan’s movie. Apocalyptic Horseman reminded the fan that Gunn recently stated minor roles in animated DCU projects could be recast for their live-action appearance, adding, “Clayface is “definitely one of those cases.”
This comment suggests Flanagan’s Clayface movie will be set in the DCU, though it should be noted that none of this information has been confirmed. Gunn has cautioned fans against believing anything about the DCU unless it comes from him or DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran, noting that scoopers can sometimes receive incorrect information from their sources (if they’re not outright making things up). So, fans should take the news of the Clayface movie with a grain of salt.
Still, many fans hope to see Clayface or similar villains in the DCU. Christopher Nolan and Matt Reeves' ‘realistic’ versions ofBatmanwere well-received and an understandable approach after the campy Joel Schumacher movies nearly tanked the franchise. However, some fans are eager to see theDCU’s Batman embrace the fantastic elementsfrom the comics for a refreshing change of tone.
Batman
Batman is one of the most popular and well-known superheroes of all time. Created in 1939 by Bob Kane and Bill Finger, Batman has evolved into a cultural icon over the decades.As a child, Bruce Wayne’s parents were murdered in front of him. Since that day, Bruce made it his mission to fight back against the criminal element in Gotham City. Taking on the appearance of what scares him most, Batman faces off against powerful villains like the Joker, Two-Face, Bane, and the Penguin.
