A Clayface Movie Can Finally Do An Underrated Batman Villain Justice

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Summary

  • Clayface, an iconic Batman villain, is finally getting a big screen adventure from DC Studios.
  • Flanagan’s Clayface film explores various tragic backstories, making room for a sympathetic antihero.
  • The Clayface movie remains a standalone outing, raising excitement for a potential modern body horror film.

As a lifelong fan of Batman and his rogues gallery, I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement at the prospect of a standalone Clayface movie. Growing up, I was always drawn to the more obscure villains, and Clayface was no exception. His unique powers and tragic backstory made him a compelling character that stood out amongst the likes of The Joker and The Riddler.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I can hardly contain my excitement as James Gunn navigates the expansive landscape of DC Comics for the revamped DCU at Warner Bros., leaving fans buzzing with anticipation for the influx of TV shows and movies based on this comic book titan. Matt Reeves is also masterminding his own distinct ‘Reevesverse’, spearheaded by Robert Pattinson’s portrayal of Batman, providing ample opportunities to delve into the many years of the Dark Knight’s escapades. Now, a long-awaited iconic Batman adversary is poised to take center stage in a cinematic journey from DC Studios.

From a film enthusiast’s perspective, it’s undeniable that iconic characters like the Joker, Catwoman, and Penguin often dominate the attention when discussing the Dark Knight’s rogue gallery. The live-action Batman films have breathed life into lesser-known villains such as Bane and Scarecrow, while ensemble pieces like “Suicide Squad” have provided a platform for an eclectic mix of bizarre and fascinating adversaries. However, Clayface, a frequently underrated antagonist, has primarily been confined to animated adaptations… until now.

The Tragic History of Clayface

Over time, the character of Clayface has been portrayed by different individuals in both comic books and animated series. For instance, Malachi Throne played a Clayface-like character called False Face in the 1966 Batman, while Alan Tudyk portrayed him more recently in Harley Quinn. There’s speculation that Eve Karlo (Carmen Ejogo) from The Penguin could be a gender-swapped version of Clayface for the Reevesverse. To add to the confusion, Mike Flanagan, known for shows like The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass, is currently working on a standalone Clayface movie.

Originally appearing in Detective Comics #40 from the 1940s, Clayface was the pseudonym of Basil Karlo, a struggling actor who transformed into a villain by adopting the role he previously played on stage. Created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, the initial Clayface character was influenced by Lon Chaney’s portrayal in The Phantom of the Opera. After making only two appearances during the Golden Age, the science fiction craze of the 1950s resulted in a significantly different version of Clayface. Many people connect Clayface with its shape-shifting abilities, which were introduced along with Matt Hagen’s Clayface in Detective Comics #298 from 1961. Hagen acquired his powers after falling into a pool of radioactive protoplasm, giving him the power to alter his physical form at will.

Preston Payne assumed the role of Clayface within Detective Comics issue #478, portraying a scientist afflicted with hyperpituitarism who sought a cure using Hagen’s blood. If Ejogo is set to play a female Clayface, she wouldn’t be the first. Sondra Fuller utilized Strike Force Kobra’s technology to transform into Lady Clay and eventually formed the ‘Mud Pack’ alongside Karlo and Payne. The two had a son, Cassius “Clay” Payne, who became the fifth Clayface as a metahuman with shape-shifting abilities. In 1998, Dr. Peter Malley employed a sample of Cassius’ skin to become Clay-Thing, while Todd Russell, a wounded army soldier, was subsequently transformed into Clayface following experimental procedures. More recently, firefighter Johnny Williams assumed the role of Clayface after an explosion in a chemical plant.

Unlike many Batman antagonists who are individual characters such as Penguin or Catwoman, having eight different Clayfaces might benefit Flanagan since he isn’t confined to a single narrative. With numerous distinct backgrounds to choose from, this versatility could lead to an exciting storyline for the audience. Moreover, considering the New 52 version of Clayface possessing shape-shifting abilities, there’s anticipation for a monster movie where the Clayface truly transforms. Crucially, the diverse tragic pasts of Clayface make him a compelling antihero that resonates with modern audiences – except when it comes to Colin Farrell’s unforgivable portrayal of the irredeemable Oz Cobb/Penguin.

It’s About Time Clayface had a Movie

The announcement of a Clayface movie isn’t shocking, considering Flanagan’s past unsuccessful pitch to DC Studios in 2023. Clayface has gained significant popularity, from his memorable role in Batman: The Animated Series’ “Feat of Clay” episode to his challenging final boss battle in Rocksteady’s Batman: Arkham City. The character’s backstory has seen some intriguing adaptations. While past live-action portrayals are often criticized for subpar CGI or low-budget costumes, the potential of Warner Bros.’ financial backing and the opportunity to create a contemporary body horror reminiscent of The Fly has fans justified in their excitement.

The question remains about Clayface’s placement within the canon, which might influence its success. Despite concerns of oversaturation in the franchise, a Clayface film could most conveniently be placed within the continually growing DC Universe. James Gunn has mentioned that only half of Phase One (Chapter One: God and Monsters) has been revealed so far. There are also the ‘Elseworld’ projects, including Matt Reeves’ Batman and Todd Phillips’ Joker universe. Clayface could potentially fit well into Reeves’ world, particularly given whispers that the character might serve as a villain in The Batman Part II. On the other hand, it could also be a self-contained movie unconnected to any expanded universe.

It’s commonly expected that a version of Batman might show up in the upcoming Clayface movie. However, Sony has produced three Venom films, Morbius, Madame Web, and Kraven the Hunter without directly involving Spider-Man or specifying which version of the web-slinger they are using as their character. This contradicts the assumption that Clayface is part of the Reevesverse, as its release date in September 2026 is very close to The Batman Part II’s October 2026 release. Given that the second part of The Batman starring Robert Pattinson is scheduled for the same year, it seems improbable that it would also include Clayface as a villain.

In an effort to alleviate any misunderstandings regarding Threads, I’d like to shed some light on a recent speculation. Somebody proposed that Scarecrow and Matt Hagen’s Clayface could be the primary antagonists in The Batman Part II. To set the record straight, let me clarify:

”Firstly, no. Secondly, couldn’t be the case as there hasn’t yet been a first draft of a script.”

Despite no official confirmation on the director and cast yet, there’s been lots of excitement about Mike Flanagan potentially writing and directing a new project. In a since-deleted 2021 post, he expressed interest in helming a Clayface movie, envisioning it as a “horror/thriller/tragedy.” He’s also known to be fond of the Clayface episodes from Batman: The Animated Series, making a rewatch worth considering. With reports suggesting that Clayface will be produced for approximately $40 million, it aligns with the budget of Flanagan’s underappreciated Doctor Sleep, hinting at its potential.

If the director of Clayface manages to deliver a successful conclusion, it opens up possibilities for more spin-offs featuring other villains in the Batman universe. The Sony Spider-Man Universe serves as a cautionary tale on how not to construct an expanded universe, and while some might prefer a standalone Clayface film, an unexpected success could provide opportunities for lesser-known Batman villains. From a Solomon Grundy story influenced by Frankenstein to a horror movie centered around Professor Pyg, it’s exciting to explore new stories beyond the usual Batman versus Joker dynamic. Despite the improbability of an Eraser movie, history has shown that anything can happen in Hollywood.

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2024-12-17 01:34