Clayface is in the next steps of its pre-production process as DC Studios and Mike Flanagan are reportedly looking at directors for this upcoming live-action horror. The film, set to be released post Labor Day in 2026, is said to be a “tragedy” with the lead character leaning more into the “anti-hero” characteristics than the infamous villain that Clayface is originally known as in the DC universe. This horror-thriller has a screenplay written by Mike Flanagan and produced by DC co-bosses James Gunn and Peter Safran. Also named in producing roles are The Batman director Matt Reeves and producer Lynn Harris. Flanagan, who is not in the names for director due to his prior commitments to upcoming projects like Universal’s Exorcist reboot and DC, will be hearing pitches from possible filmmakers in the coming week. Some potential candidates include Truth or Dare’s Jeff Waldow and Speak No Evil’s James Watkins.

Clayface was first introduced in the DC Universe in Detective Comics #40 in June 1940. The character was introduced as a struggling actor who, after doing a horror role, embraced the terrifying person in real life and delved into the crime scene of Gotham. Later versions of Clayface had the character made out of actual clay and shapeshifting. There have been versions of Clayface that have graced our screens in live-action portrayals like Brian McManamon in Gotham and Lorraine Burroughs in Pennyworth, as well as animated ones like Alan Tudyk in Harley Quinn and DCU’s Creature Commandos.