Mike Flanagan to pen script for DC Studios’ ‘Clayface’

Mike Flanagan and Clayface
| Photo Credit: Getty Images/DC

Mike Flanagan is officially bringing the iconic DC supervillain Clayface into the spotlight. Deadline has confirmed that Flanagan, known for his mastery in the horror genre, has been tapped to write the script for DC Studios, though the project is yet to receive a director.

The filmmaker, currently working on an Exorcist reboot, first expressed interest in a standalone Clayface film back in 2021. On Twitter, he shared his vision of exploring the shapeshifting antagonist through the lens of a “horror/thriller/tragedy.” Reports suggest his take on the character will differ from traditional portrayals, focusing less on villainy and more on tragedy.

Flanagan reportedly pitched his concept to DC Studios co-heads James Gunn and Peter Safran in 2023. While not intended as part of Matt Reeves’ The Batman universe, sources indicate that Clayface might still have ties to Reeves’ highly anticipated The Batman 2.

Introduced in Detective Comics #40 in 1940, Clayface has evolved significantly over decades. Originally depicted as a struggling actor turned criminal, the character later took on a more supernatural form as a shapeshifter made of clay. A frequent adversary of Batman, Clayface has appeared in various media, including live-action portrayals in Gotham and Pennyworth.