Exploring the Horrific World of Clayface with Mike Flanagan
If there’s a man who knows a thing or two about locating the humanity in the monstrous — and the monstrosity in the human — then it’s surely Mike Flanagan. From The Haunting Of Hill House and Bly Manor, to Midnight Mass and The Midnight Club, Doctor Sleep to Oculus, the filmmaker’s capacity to blend visceral horror and profound tragedy while generating a well pool of deep emotion is unparalleled. It’s a unique set of skills that will come in handy for Flanagan’s next writing assignment: a new take on Batman B-lister Clayface for James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Studios.
Mike Flanagan Takes on Clayface
According to Deadline’s reporting, Flanagan has been tapped to write a standalone Clayface feature for DC Studios, with the expectation being that the horror aficionado’s movie — which is currently seeking a director — would function as an Elseworlds joint (ie, not part of the main DCU canon.) And while we don’t know anything about the proposed plot of Flanagan’s DC debut — or indeed who’ll play the malleable monster — just yet, we do know that the in-demand filmmaker has previously expressed an interest in exploring the deep-cut from Batman’s Rogues Gallery through the kaleidoscopic genre prism of horror, tragedy, and thriller. And given Clayface’s origins — first as a failed actor donning dress-up in DC’s Bronze Age, elsewhere since as various iterative takes on a rising star turned into a shapeshifting malcontent by serums, protoplasm, and out-of-control chemicals — it’s not hard to see the appeal for Flanagan in taking the oft-neglected supervillain and moulding him into something new, something more three-dimensional.
The Future of Clayface in the DC Universe
While rumours still abound that Clayface may be among the ensemble of Matt Reeves’ upcoming The Batman Part II, it remains to be seen at this point whether A) that’ll actually happen, and B) whether a version of the character in that movie would carry over to whatever Flanagan is cooking up. Given the recent success of Reeves’ Gotham-based off-shoot The Penguin (one of our picks for the Best TV Shows Of 2024), we wouldn’t bet against it. But until we hear more on this one, we’re going to rewatch Batman: The Animated Series for the [REDACTED] time to remember the one truly great Clayface we’ve had to date — and maybe just rewatch Mike Flanagan’s entire oeuvre. Not that we ever really need an excuse for that!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Clayface’s origin story?
Clayface’s origins trace back to his beginnings as a failed actor who, through various means, transforms into a shapeshifting malcontent using serums, protoplasm, and out-of-control chemicals.
What makes Mike Flanagan a suitable choice for a Clayface project?
Mike Flanagan’s ability to blend visceral horror and profound tragedy, as seen in his previous works, makes him a perfect fit to explore the depths of Clayface’s character.
Will Clayface be part of the main DC Universe canon in Flanagan’s project?
Flanagan’s standalone Clayface feature is expected to be an Elseworlds joint, separate from the main DCU canon, allowing for more creative freedom and exploration of the character.
Credit: www.empireonline.com
