The decision not to have Mike Flanagan direct the Clayface film remains one of the most poignant disappointments of his career. To truly understand this, it’s important to appreciate the journey behind the project and the hurdles Flanagan faced.
Back in 2021, Flanagan openly expressed on social media his desire to create a standalone movie that would blend horror, thrill, and tragedy elements, with a primary focus on the character Clayface. Shortly afterward, he revealed that he had met with Jon Berg, a veteran producer known for his work on DC movies, to pitch a darker, horror-infused interpretation of Clayface. Additionally, Flanagan shared ideas for other DC properties, including Scarecrow, Justice League Dark, and Constantine. Unfortunately, this meeting did not lead to immediate progress, as it “kind of went nowhere,” leaving fans and observers feeling a sense of missed opportunity.
Fast forward to March 2023, and Deadline broke the news that Flanagan was scheduled for another pitch — this time directly with James Gunn and Peter Safran, the new heads of DC Studios. This signaled a renewed interest in Flanagan’s take on Clayface. By the end of the previous year, it was officially announced that Flanagan was in the process of writing the screenplay for a Clayface movie, which was set to be integrated into the new DC Universe under Gunn and Safran’s oversight. But here’s where it gets controversial: the project moved rapidly toward production, and Flanagan was unable to direct it himself because he was committed to adapting Stephen King’s novel Carrie into an eight-episode series for Prime Video. The role of director was handed over to James Watkins, known for his work on Speak No Evil. Flanagan has described this shift as one of the biggest regrets of his career.
In an interview with i09, James Gunn recounted how he initially had no intention of making a Clayface movie—until Flanagan’s script cast a spell on him. Gunn described how Flanagan’s story convinced him of its potential, saying, “I didn’t plan on making a Clayface movie. Mike pitched a wonderful idea, and I found myself saying, ‘Damn, I want to do this.’” Gunn went on to praise Flanagan’s scripts, noting that the first draft was excellent, and the subsequent drafts only improved the story, ultimately convincing Gunn to incorporate the project into the broader DC film plans, provided the script remained of high quality.
The inspiration for the script was drawn from the classic episodes of Batman: The Animated Series from 1992, specifically the two-part 'Feat of Clay.' These episodes vividly depict the transformation of a disfigured actor into the infamous villain Clayface, emphasizing themes of identity, deformity, and villainy. Flanagan confirmed in an interview that his screenplay drew heavily from these animated episodes. Interestingly, despite the fact that the film was greenlit largely based on Flanagan’s script, a significant rewrite was undertaken by Hossein Amini, a screenwriter brought in to polish the story. However, Gunn assured fans that any alterations were minor and that the core of the story remained Flanagan’s.
To give some background, Clayface is one of Batman’s iconic adversaries—a shape-shifting villain introduced in Detective Comics #40. The original Clayface, Basil Karlo, was a disgraced actor who adopted the identity of a horror movie character after turning to a life of crime. His grotesque body, seemingly made of malleable clay, has made him a recurring character across various media, including comics, animated series, video games, and movies.
Regarding casting, reports from Nexus Point News highlight Tom Rhys Harries, known for Kandahar, playing Matt Hagen, a character who first appeared in Detective Comics #298 back in 1961 and was created by Bill Finger and Sheldon Moldoff. Hagen was initially a treasure hunter who became Clayface after an encounter with protoplasm. Many fans speculated that the film might feature Basil Karlo, introduced in Detective Comics #40, as the main version of Clayface—originally a fallen actor dressed as a horror villain seeking revenge.
Naomi Ackie, star of I Want to Dance With Somebody, is cast as Caitlin Bates, Hagen’s love interest and a doctor. Max Minghella is also reportedly involved, playing John, a detective engaged to Caitlin who grows suspicious of her relationship with Hagen/Clayface.
Flanagan shared his thoughts about the project’s development with Screen Rant, expressing his deep affection for the character and frustration at not being able to see his vision realized. He said, “Developing Clayface with Matt Reeves, James, and Peter was incredibly rewarding. It’s one of the greatest disappointments of my career that, when the moment came to produce it, I wasn’t available. I had to go work on Carrie, and I couldn’t do anything about it. I haven’t seen the finished film yet, but I’m eager to see how they brought it to life. For me, the inspiration always came from Batman: The Animated Series. That show is pure art.”
So, what do you think—should DC have waited for Mike Flanagan to direct Clayface, or was rushing the project inevitable? Do you believe that the decision to pass on his vision might have altered the film’s potential? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below—let’s get the discussion going!
