Fans of the DC Universe and horror aficionados alike have been buzzing about Clayface, a film poised to delve into the darker, more monstrous side of Gotham City within James Gunn and Peter Safran's new DCU Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters. The project gained significant traction and excitement due to the involvement of Mike Flanagan, known for his masterful work on Netflix series like The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass.

However, in an interview with ComicBookMovie.com while promoting his upcoming Carrie series, Flanagan clarified his position, stating, "*Clayface* is absolutely not my film. It’s James Watkins’s." He elaborated on his contribution, explaining, "I wrote a script that I loved, I turned it in, and that’s it. I haven’t even seen it yet. I can’t wait to see it and see what James did with it, but it’s his film, and I’m really excited to see the result."

Flanagan initially pitched his Clayface concept to James Gunn and Peter Safran back in January 2021, envisioning an unexplored cinematic take on the Batman villain, previously confined mostly to animation. His script aimed to introduce the character as a lead for the first time on the big screen, offering a fresh narrative playground for the horror veteran.

While Flanagan was at one point considered to direct, his commitments to other projects, including his Carrie series and a reboot of The Exorcist, led to James Watkins (known for Eden Lake and the upcoming Speak No Evil remake) taking the helm. Hossein Amini, recognized for his work on Obi-Wan Kenobi and Drive, also contributed to script rewrites, leaving some uncertainty about which elements of Flanagan's original screenplay remain intact.

Clayface is set to introduce Matt Hagen, a poor Gotham kid who rises to Hollywood stardom only for his career to be tragically cut short. After being disfigured and left for dead by a local crime boss, Hagen undergoes an experimental treatment that restores his appearance but distorts his perception of reality, plunging him into a destructive quest for vengeance. The film, reportedly made on a modest budget of $40 million, aims to lean heavily into its horror elements, standing apart from typical superhero blockbusters.

DC Studios' Clayface is slated for release in French cinemas on October 21, 2026, with audiences eager to see Watkins' interpretation of Flanagan's initial vision.