DC Studios has officially greenlit a feature film centered on Clayface, the iconic shape-shifting Batman villain, according to a report from Variety. The film, written by Doctor Sleep director Mike Flanagan, is expected to begin filming early next year. Plot details remain under wraps, but the project is part of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s efforts to expand their reimagined DC Universe.

The film will be produced by Matt Reeves and Lynn Harris under their 6th & Idaho Productions banner. This marks another collaboration between Reeves and DC Studios following the success of HBO’s The Penguin series, which ties into Reeves’ broader Gotham-centric Batman universe.

Flanagan initially pitched the idea of a Clayface movie to DC Studios in 2023 and had previously expressed his desire to tackle the character in a standalone horror-thriller. Despite his involvement in writing the script, Flanagan is unlikely to direct due to commitments to other projects, including a new adaptation of The Exorcist for Universal and a Carrie series for Amazon MGM Studios.

Clayface’s DC Universe future

As DC Studios seeks a director to helm the project, an announcement is reportedly on the horizon. Clayface first appeared in Detective Comics #40 in 1940, created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane. Over the years, multiple versions of the character have been introduced, each with their own backstory and powers, ranging from the original Basil Karlo, a failed actor, to later iterations like Matt Hagen and Preston Payne. It remains unclear which version Flanagan will focus on in his adaptation.

Clayface is also expected to appear in James Gunn’s Creature Commandos animated series, with Alan Tudyk lending his voice to the DC Comics character. The series, which is currently streaming on max Max, will mark Clayface’s introduction to Gunn and Safran’s new DC Universe.

Stay tuned for the latest news regarding the future of the Clayface movie and the DC Universe!