Jeff Wadlow and James Watkins have reportedly emerged as the frontrunners to direct DC’s planned Clayface film, penned by Mike Flanagan.
Without wishing to revive the old ‘superhero fatigue’ argument, it’s fair to say that for some at least, rousing themself to watch a comic book movie isn’t as uncomplicated as it used to be. However, that certainly makes comic book projects that are just a little different stand out all the more and that certainly applies to DC Studios’ Clayface.
Firstly, it’s a standalone film – no pesky cinematic universes here – while the project also focuses very much around a shape-shifting character rooted in operatic horror, something we’re sure noted horror screenwriter Mike Flanagan will be exploring in his script. Those are some pretty grand themes to explore with the right filmmaker at the helm.
Flanagan is busy making the next film in The Exorcist series for Blumhouse, so won’t be directing Clayface. According to Deadline and Mytimetoshine respectively, though, two names are now in the frame to direct the film, with pitches reportedly being made by each filmmaker next week and the casting process for the film already underway.
Two directors who, incidentally, appeared on the Film Stories podcast last year, which presumably was instrumental in them going up the Warner Bros wishlist.
First, there’s Jeff Wadlow, director of Imaginary and Kick Ass 2. Also reportedly in contention is another filmmaker with a horror film on his resume, James Watkins, director of last year’s English-language remake of Speak No Evil and a guest on the Film Stories Podcast. Whichever director gets the job will inherit a script by Flanagan who has been trying to get a film adaptation of Clayface off the ground for DC Studios for several years.
Should the details above prove to be accurate, we should have some more news on this project in pretty short order, including who will be playing the title role. Of course, given the character’s inhuman base form and ability to adopt the look of anybody, it’s quite a unique part to take on. Will it just be voice work? Will it be an origin story where we explore the character’s human roots? There’s lots we don’t know yet, including which (of the several Clayfaces that have graced the comic books) version of the character we could get.
We’ll bring you more on this one as we hear it.
