Clayface Movie Announcement Is Another Bold Step By James Gunn And DC Studios

by

As a longtime fan of both DC comics and horror films, I can hardly contain my excitement for the upcoming Clayface movie under James Gunn and Mike Flanagan’s direction! Having grown up with the 90s animated series and the original Basil Karlo version, I’m eager to see how they will breathe new life into this unique villain.

It’s reported by Variety that a Clayface film is being planned for DC Studios. According to their source, who has direct knowledge of the project, they expect filming to start as early as next year.

One notable figure in this realm is horror filmmaker Mike Flanagan. His work on Netflix’s series “The Haunting of Hill House” and “The Fall of the House of Usher,” as well as his 2019 sequel to “The Shining,” titled “Doctor Sleep,” has earned him a warm reception from horror enthusiasts. In fact, this film adaptation of “Doctor Sleep” has amassed a dedicated fanbase that even includes renowned horror author Stephen King. King, in praise of Flanagan’s work, once stated, “He skillfully blended my novel ‘Doctor Sleep’ with the Kubrick version of ‘The Shining.’ So, yes, I found it quite enjoyable.

According to Variety’s report, Flanagan is believed to be the screenwriter for the upcoming Clayface project. Back in 2021, when asked about working on a DC film, Flanagan expressed his interest, stating, “I’ve always wanted to do a Superman movie since I was a kid, but I would also be really excited to create a standalone Clayface movie as a horror/thriller/tragedy.” Given this past statement, it appears that Flanagan is well-suited for the task at hand.

Clayface is a villain with many…faces

Clayface, one of Batman’s most unusual adversaries, is typically recognized as such, largely due to the fame of the 90s animated series. In this show, Matt Hagan transforms into a large, brown, monstrous figure after a failed medical experiment, gaining the power to change his shape. This concept might not be immediately appealing to mainstream audiences accustomed to more realistic Batman villains.

However, it’s important to note that the character of Clayface originated in the 1940s as Basil Karlo, a struggling actor who resorted to wearing a terrifying mask, reminiscent of the Phantom of the Opera, and dressing like a gangster associated with the mafia. He was known for his violent acts, rather than being a mud man with broken teeth. This portrayal aligns more with mainstream sensibilities compared to the image of a cracked-toothed clay creature.

James Gunn has a vision for DC Studios

As a devotee, I can’t help but marvel at the genius that is James Gunn. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he defied all odds by transforming a loquacious raccoon and a sentient tree with just three words into household favorites. His take on Suicide Squad introduced a colossal alien starfish as its antagonist. And now, his DC Studios has launched an adult-oriented animated series titled Creature Commandos, which brings characters like Frankenstein, the Bride of Frankenstein, an amphibian scientist, a flaming skeleton, and a human-sized weasel to life.

Gunn previous told Variety:

A key goal I have is to emphasize the versatility at DC Studios. We’re capable of crafting stories suitable for all ages, similar to the iconic figure of Superman. We can also delve into more mature themes, such as portraying in our work the gritty and sensual elements seen in projects like [Creature Commandos]… Essentially, it’s about building a universe where we can explore various genres and characters.

It’s intriguing to consider where the creative team of Gunn, Flanagan, and DC Studios will steer this project. With Flanagan’s history and recent remarks, it appears that we might be in store for a chilling horror-thriller with a tragic narrative arc.

Read More

2024-12-12 17:08