'Batman' Horror Spinoff 'Clayface' Being Rewritten
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Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors
Mike Flanagan may be one of the most fan-favorite filmmakers in the horror genre right now, but apparently his version of "Clayface" isn't exactly what DC Studios was looking for. According to a report from TheWrap, the body horror film is being rewritten by Hossein Amini, best known as the writer for 2011's "Drive".
Read More: Top 4 Perfect Actors to Terrorize as DCU's Clayface
There's no word exactly what it was about Flanagan's script that necessitated a rewrite.
Clayface in "Detective Comics" #943
Clayface in "Detective Comics" #943
DC Comics
Very little is known so far about the "Clayface" movie, but it is said to be a "horror-thriller-tragedy, with the lead protagonist not expected to be portrayed as the notorious villain he's known as in the Batman canon."
Clayface is somewhat unusual in Batman's rogues' gallery as he's one of the few of the Dark Knight's villains to enjoy actual super powers. There have been multiple iterations of the character throughout the years but the most well known see him starting off as a failed actor who gains the ability to shape shift into whatever form he chooses by changing his body into clay. This also allows him to change himself into a large, physically powerful monster.
Technically speaking, Clayface has already shown up in the DCU. The creature comes close to murdering Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo) in an episode of the animated series "Creature Commandos". Clayface is voiced by Alan Tudyk in the episode, who also voices a much more comical version of the character in the cartoon series "Harley Quinn".
It will be interesting if and how "Clayface" in any way references the "Creature Commandos" appearance. On one hand, the character appears as a much more malevolent and villainous figure than it sounds like we'll be meeting in the film. On the other hand, Clayface appears to be killed at the end of the episode. Of course, in the superhero genre, death is never as permanent a state as it is in others.
There have been a number of live-action versions of Clayface in shows such as "Gotham", "Birds of Prey", and "Pennyworth", but "Clayface" will mark the very first live-action theatrical appearance of the character.
"Clayface" hits theaters September 11, 2026. The film will be directed by James Watkins of "See No Evil" fame. Matt Reeves and Lynn Harris are producing.
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