DC Studios has officially greenlitClayfaceand confirmed several details about the newestDC Universeproject, including a writer and release date. DC Studios' decision to develop a solo Clayface project is the latest example of how the studio intends to spotlight its most underutilized characters. AsSupermanlaunches the rebooted cinematic franchisewith its flagship character, confirmed projects that spotlight lesser-known characters like Clayface, Booster Gold, and The Authority demonstrate DC Studios' intent to venture into unique directions that the DCEU had previously shied away from.
Still, a solo Clayface project feels like a particularly bold step for the cinematic franchise. Clayface is best known as one ofBatman’s foremost villains, though his notoriety hardly measures up to the likes of Joker, whose most recent solo movie suffered a particularly controversial reception. On the other hand, thePenguin’s recent spinoff series has been met with critical acclaim, helping to prove that there is an appetite for projects starring Batman’s undeniably compelling rogues' gallery.
DC’s Clayface Movie Is Confirmed
James Gunn Confirmed That Clayface Has Been Greenlit
DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn recently clarified that no DCU project, even those included in his unveiling of the DCU, is considered to be “in production” until DC Studios officially greenlights development.DC Studios’Paradise Lostseries, for example, is yet to be considered in production despite being announced as part ofthe DCU’s intended release slatein January 2023. This is not the case forClayface, as James Gunn took toXto confirm thatthe movie has been greenlit with Mike Flanagan taking the lead on its story and script.
Unlikerecent DC Elseworlds projectslikeJoker,The Batman, andThe Penguin, Gunn confirmed thatClayfacewill be a part of the official DC Universe canon.This means that the project will likely directly connect to the DCU’s depiction of Batman, who is expected to debut inThe Brave and the Bold, which has yet to receive a release date. This also suggests thatClayface’s story might precedeThe Brave and the Bold, given Gunn announced its intended release date with his announcement on social media.
Clayface Movie Release Date
Clayface Is Slated For Release In 2026
Clayfaceis now one of a handful of DCU projects to receive a confirmed release date despite not being among Gunn’s initial announcements. Following Gunn’s social media announcement, Warner Bros. confirmed thatClayfacehas a scheduled release date of September 11th, 2026. This places it just a few months after the intendedrelease date forSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, which is slated for release on June 18, 2025. It also precedes Matt Reeves’The Batman - Part IIrelease date of August 11, 2025, by a few weeks.
Confirmation ofClayface’s release date came alongside the announcement thatDynamic Duois scheduled for Jun 04, 2025.
It is still unclear where DC Studios intends to debut its version of Batman in the DC Universe.Story details forThe Brave and the Boldconfirmed that it will spotlight the Bat Family with Damian Wayne’s Robin suggesting that Bruce Wayne may be older than the one seen inThe Batman - Part II. Still, it may be thatClayfaceis releasing in the same year as Matt Reeves' sequel to help distanceThe Brave and the Boldfrom the Elseworlds franchise.
Clayface Movie’s Director Search Is Underway
Some Fans Are Suggesting That Mike Flanagan Should Also Direct The Movie
While Gunn confirmed that Mike Flanagan will write the movie,Clayfacehas yet to be assigned a director. This was confirmed by Brandon Davis onX, who received information from Peter Safran following a Q&A aboutSuperman. He also clarified that filming forClayfacewould commence “early next year,” which would be in line with a fall 2026 release. Davis confirmed thatClayfacewill not be “campy,” and will instead resemble DC’s version ofThe Fly.
Flanagan’s experience with horror movies has therefore led some to suggest that he should also take on the director role. His directing experience includesAbsentiaandGerald’s Game, which he also wrote and produced, proving that he has the wherewithal to potentially do the same forClayface. Other renowned horror directors like Sam Raimi have also been floated as potential candidates by fans, thoughDC Studios has so far given no clue as to which director it is eyeing for the DCU’s horror project.
Clayface Movie Cast: Who Could Play The DC Character
Alan Tudyk Voices The Character In Creature Commandos
Clayface is one of the most outlandish villains in Batman’s rogues' gallery, typically appearing as a grotesque, hulking figure composed of a clay-like substance that he uses to morph into different guises. The fact thatthe character appears in a comic-accurate guise inCreature Commandossuggests that he will maintain his grotesque appearance in live-actionas the animated series is DCU canon. With that in mind, an actor proficient in motion capture or voice acting may be at the forefront of DC Studios' potential candidates for the live-action role.
What’s Going On With The DCU’s Batman Casting?
James Gunn has shared a new update on the status of the casting search for the DC Universe’s Batman amid several rumors regarding the new Bruce Wayne.
Alan Tudyk, one of the most sought-after voice actors in Hollywood,voices Clayface inCreature Commandos. Needless to say,this makes him a prime candidate to continue portraying the villain in live-action, though this is far from a foregone conclusion. Tudyk also voices Doctor Phosphorous and Will Magnus in the animated series, which makes it less likely that he’ll go on to portray all of these characters in live-action.
Furthermore,Deadlinereported thatDaniel Craig will star in a live-action Sgt. Rockmovie. Should this be a DCU production, then the fact that Sgt. Rock has already appeared inCreature Commandos, voiced by Maury Sterling, sets a precedent that voice actors will not necessarily portray the same characters in live-action. Then again, the fact that Frank Grillo and Viola Davis are portraying Rick Flag Sr. and Amanda Waller, respectively, in bothCreature Commandosand live-action hints that the door is at least ajar for Tudyk to take on the live-action Clayface.
Clayface Movie Story Details
Clayface Has Been Likened To David Cronenberg’s The Fly
While no story details have been confirmed,Brandon Davis' suggestion thatClayfacewill be DC’s version ofThe Flyoffers significant insight. David Cronenberg’sThe Flyis one of the most definitive examples of the body horror genre, starring Jeff Goldblum as a scientist who slowly suffers a grotesque transformation into a human-fly hybrid creature. It’s easy to see the parallels between this and Clayface’s origins and characterization, but it will be interesting to see how this DCU installment will fly in the face of what otherwise promises to be a colorful and relatively lighthearted franchise.
If Clayface is released as an out-and-out horror movie, it shows how DC Studios will not shy away from exploring new genres within its cinematic franchise.
IfClayfaceleans into the horror genre while other DCU projects embody the action/sci-fi themes typically associated with superhero movies, it could be a sign of what’s to come in the future of the DCU. Whereas the MCU has drawn flak for sticking to a tried-and-tested formula, most fans celebrate its attempts at something new likeWerewolf by Night. IfClayfaceis released as an out-and-out horror movie, it shows how DC Studios will not shy away from exploring new genres within its cinematic franchise.
Clayface
Cast
Clayface is a feature film centered around the shapeshifting Batman villain. The movie, described as a horror, thriller, and tragedy, explores the darker dimensions of this iconic character within the DC Universe.
