The Clayface movie from DC is progressing, with casting suggestions and influences on the movie coming to light. More here.
Plenty of interesting news has emerged this morning regarding DC Studios’ Clayface project, which is currently in development. Speak No Evil helmer (last year’s English language remake version, that is) James Watkins in place to direct, and the script was penned by horror auteur Mike Flanagan who was originally slated to direct the film himself, before pesky scheduling got in the way. Watkins picked up the reins, while Drive writer Hossein Amini is now reportedly doing a rewrite.
Fans of the character will be aware that several different versions of the character have graced the pages of Batman comic books over the years – not to mention turning up in plenty of other media along the way. As such, we’ve been waiting patiently to see which incarnation of Clayface would appear in this film – and thanks to Flanagan, we now have an answer.
While out promoting his new film, The Life Of Chuck, Flanagan opened up a little about the Clayface film, revealing that the beloved 1990s show, Batman: The Animated Series was his main source of inspiration for the script: “I mean that is the perfect [story]. ‘Feat of Clay,’ Ron Perlman, to me, that’s it,” said Flanagan. “That two-parter knocked me out. The short answer is that is absolutely what inspired my script. That is the world I wanted to live in. Batman: The Animated Series when I was growing up was my Batman.”
As for how much of that spirit remains in the final version, Flanagan is unsure given that he’s no longer involved: “I don’t know what they’re doing with Clayface,” he added. “I’m not directing it, and that filmmaker will need to make it their own. I know that they’re doing work on the script. I’m off doing other things now, I really hope it remains true to the spirit of what I wanted it to be. But it’s not my movie, so I’ll be in the audience with you, anxious to see how it comes out.”
In terms of progress, Twitter/X/TormentNexus user MyTimeToShineH has claimed that four British actors are in the mix to play the lead role of Matt Hagen, sometimes referred to as Clayface 2.
Apparently, George MacKay (1917), Tom Blyth (The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes), Jack O’Connell (Sinners), and Leo Woodall (The White Lotus) are all currently on the shortlist, the first iteration of the character that could actually shapeshift. As Flanagan mentioned above, in the original animated series, he was voiced by the mighty Ron Perlman.
Plenty of news then, but there’s a long way to go before this one lands, and lots could change before then. We’ll bring you more on Clayface as we hear it.
