Clayface’s Mike Flanagan Revealed His Batman-Related Inspiration For The DCU Film, And Now I’m Really Excited

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James Gunn’s DC Universe is developing a Clayface movie that’s looking particularly interesting, and feels more like a horror film than typical superhero stories. While Mike Flanagan isn’t directing anymore, his initial ideas were crucial to the film’s direction. He recently shared what inspired his take on Gotham City and the character of Clayface, one of its most heartbreaking figures.

While at a ScreenRant panel for Midnight Mass at Motor City Comic Con 2025, Mike Flanagan discussed his take on Clayface and how it differs from Matt Reeves’ vision in The Batman Part II. Flanagan clarified that his inspiration didn’t come from Reeves’ universe, as he hadn’t seen any of their work when he initially developed his story for DC Studios. He went on to explain his creative process.

Actually, when Clayface first came up in conversation, I hadn’t yet seen Matt Reeves’ work on the character. My thinking went straight back to ‘Feat of Clay’ – that amazing two-part episode with Ron Perlman as the voice of Clayface. It really made an impression on me when I was growing up.

Despite a close collaboration with Matt Reeves early on, Flanagan had to step away from directing the project as it became part of the new DC Universe. He explained to the audience that while he enjoyed developing the film with both Reeves and later with James Gunn and Peter Safran, scheduling conflicts ultimately prevented him from continuing as director when production began.

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He shared that he’d already promised to work on a different project, and though he wished he could continue, he had to withdraw from the film. You can tell he’s still disappointed about it.

Production on the solo Clayface movie has finished, directed by James Watkins and starring Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen. Mike Flanagan, who directed Doctor Sleep, hasn’t had a chance to view any of the footage yet, but he’s very excited to see it. He added:

I haven’t had a chance to watch it yet, but I’m really excited to! I’m eager to see how it turned out. Ultimately though, my love for Batman started with the animated series – it’s a true masterpiece.

If the movie captures even a little of the character’s comic book power, it could be the most accurate and terrifying version of Clayface audiences have ever seen. Plus, it’s a milestone for the new DC Universe: this will be the first R-rated movie released in theaters, proving that James Gunn intends to explore a wide range of genres with this reboot.

This won’t connect to the Batman portrayed by Robert Pattinson in the Elseworlds stories. A new version of Bruce Wayne will eventually become the central figure in James Gunn’s shared DC Universe, starting with the film The Brave and the Bold, which is currently being written. However, the DCU’s version of Gotham City will first be introduced through its villains, like Clayface, before we see its iconic Batman.

Now that filming is finished and a release date is set, the Clayface movie is officially scheduled for September 11, 2026. If the film captures the atmospheric quality of the “Feat of Clay” storyline, it could be one of the most interesting villains in the new DC Universe – and as a longtime DC fan, especially of Batman: The Animated Series (which I recently rewatched), I’m really excited to see it.

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2025-11-18 01:39