Mike Flanagan’s Clayface Movie is Officially Greenlit, But Will He Direct It?

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Mike Flanagan's Clayface Movie is Officially Greenlit, But Will He Direct It?

Summary

  • DC Studios greenlit a Clayface film directed by Mike Flanagan.
  • The success of “The Penguin” on HBO Max has renewed confidence in DC’s properties and upcoming projects.
  • DC’s future looks promising, with extreme excitement from audiences about David Corenswet’s Superman.

As a lifelong DC fan who’s seen more Bat-signals than I can count, I must say that the current state of DC Studios is making my heart race faster than the Batmobile! The success of “The Penguin” on HBO Max has given me renewed faith in the Caped Crusader’s universe, and the news about a Clayface film directed by Mike Flanagan only serves to pump up my excitement even more.

The initial phase of DC under the Gunn-Safran team is showing immense promise. The anticipation for upcoming DC Universe productions, undeniably boosted by the success of their streaming show The Penguin, has reached new heights. Recently, the studio made a decision that’s already got fans buzzing with excitement.

In 2022, filmmaker James Gunn, who previously worked extensively with Marvel, joined Peter Safran as co-head of DC Studios. This move occurred after Gunn was dismissed by Marvel and directed the 2018 movie “The Suicide Squad.” Despite briefly returning to complete the “Guardians of the Galaxy” trilogy and offering input on “Avengers: Infinity War,” it appears that Gunn has now left the Marvel Cinematic Universe behind. Many were taken aback by his sudden departure, but he seems content with his new direction. Gunn’s collaboration with Safran primarily involves creative aspects, while Safran handles production and financial matters. The partnership is reportedly off to a strong start, based on the success and positive reception of “The Penguin,” which concluded recently. Although there are no plans for a second season, the narrative may continue in some way within “The Batman II.

After the triumph of Max’s “The Penguin”, Warner Bros appears to be more assured about utilizing their DC characters effectively once more. As confirmed by Variety this week, a Clayface movie is now in development. Known for his work on “The Haunting of Hill House”, Mike Flanagan will direct the film. Given his extensive background in horror and the supernatural, Flanagan seems ideally suited to bring this character to life on the big screen. Interestingly, he had expressed a desire to create a project like this as early as 2021, envisioning a “horror/thriller/tragedy” film centered around Clayface. In 2023, he managed to present his idea to DC Studios, which seems to have been well-received.

The movie is currently being prepared, with Matt Reeves, director of “The Batman,” overseeing its production and strengthening his role within the DCU. Flanagan has a packed schedule ahead, including adapting Stephen King’s “Carrie” and working on something in the “Exorcist” universe. His film “The Life of Chuck” is scheduled for release next May. Despite this, significant advancements have been made on the Clayface project, as it’s now slated to start filming in the first half of next year, indicating that it’s a top priority for both Flanagan and the studio.

For the first time in a while, the future of DC seems promising. The series Superman & Lois wrapped up on The CW just last week to positive responses from both viewers and critics. This year, The Penguin was one of the most watched shows, and the upcoming 2025 film starring David Corenswet as Superman is highly anticipated. Corenswet’s casting for this role feels almost predestined, especially since people have been imagining him in it since his time on Netflix’s The Politician back in 2019. Director James Gunn has expressed great confidence in the film and its leading man.

The Penguin is available to stream on Max.

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2024-12-12 20:53