Clayface Movie Gets DC Director

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Update: It’s reported that James Watkins, the director of “Speak No Evil”, is now attached to the project. Guillermo del Toro had a meeting with him on Thursday, and while the deal isn’t finalized yet, no cast has been announced as of now.

Previously from February 14th:

It has been reported that the “Clayface” movie could potentially switch direction, as there are two possible candidates for directing. This raises speculation about whether the project might now depart from the DC Universe, given the possibility that they are moving away from the monster interpretation of the character.

Previously, in December, it was confirmed by James Gunn, head of DC Studios, that the Clayface movie belongs to the “DC Universe”. Interestingly, this character initially makes an appearance in Gunn’s ‘Creature Commandos’, a tale considered part of the DC Universe’s continuity.

What is said about the movie?

According to Deadline’s article on directors, it appears that the Clayface film will deviate from the version established in Batman continuity.

It’s said that Clayface will have a different take on his character, departing from his usual villainous role in the Batman series, and instead, the main character may be depicted more as a tragic figure in a horror-thriller setting.

Update: The film is also being likened to “The Substance“. It’s been suggested that the movie “Clayface ” revolves around a mid-tier actor who resorts to injecting himself with something to remain relevant, but later discovers he can transform his face and body into malleable clay.

More of a prequel origin story?

As a cinephile who’s always enjoyed the Clayface character, I was excited to see the blob-like shapeshifter version from Gunn’s animated series make it to the big screen. But, according to recent reports by Deadline, it seems like the movie might be veering away from that particular incarnation?

Matt Reeves has taken on a producer role for the Clayface project. Given Reeves’ preference for grounded and realistic character portrayals, it’s intriguing to consider whether the Clayface movie might no longer be part of the DC Universe. However, keep in mind that Deadline’s rumor could potentially be incorrect.

It’s plausible that this film could take place within the DC Universe and focus on the character before he transforms into the well-known monster, as depicted in “Creature Commandos”. My theory is that it will be a low-budget horror movie, which suggests they might not show the full monster form, thus saving costs on special effects. It all adds up.

Who is up to direct?

Starting next week, I’m excited to share that our team is set to listen to proposals from potential directors, as reported by Deadline. Among the talented individuals we’re considering are Jeff Wadlow, known for his work on “Truth or Dare” and “Kick Ass 2”, and James Watkins, who brought us “Speak No Evil”. It’s an exciting time as we move forward in our director selection process!

Latest Information: It’s been reported that Jeff Wadlow was not involved in discussions, and as of now, Watkins has not met with DC. However, it’s anticipated that they will meet shortly. The estimated budget for the project is approximately $40 million.

Update #2: According to THR, Watkins had a meeting with James Gunn on Thursday, February 20th and secured the position. It’s also mentioned that Gunn is planning a significant private press event with upcoming announcements scheduled for next week. There are rumors circulating about Zack Snyder potentially returning to DC.

The concept and screenplay for the movie originate with Mike Flanagan, however, due to his schedule being filled with reworking Universal’s Exorcist franchise, he won’t be able to direct it.

Release info

Clayface is set to air on September 11, 2026, following Supergirl on June 26, 2026, with Gunn’s Superman premiering a year earlier on July 11, 2025.

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2025-02-21 21:31