Who do James Gunn and Peter Safran have their eye on to direct “Clayface,” which DC Studios plans to have in theaters on September 11, 2026. Deadline has the answer there, and it’s two recent stalwarts of the horror genre.
The outlet reports that DC execs will hear pitches from Blumhouse regular Jeff Waldow and “Speak No Evil” director James Watkins for the upcoming film next week. Apparently, casting for the film has also begun, and whomever gets chosen to helm the picture will finalize those choices. DC co-heads Gunn and Safran lead producers, with “The Batman” director Matt Reeves and Lynn Harris. Additionally, Chantal Nong is on board to executive produce. It’s worth noting that Mike Flanagan, who writes “Clayface,” isn’t in the running to direct, partially due to his obligations for “The Exorcist” reboot over at Universal.
So are Waldow and Watkins good choices for this project? Neither director are strangers to horror fare, but with “Clayface” rumored to be a horror-thriller-tragedy of sorts, there will be more pathos going on in this superhero movie than, say, “Fantasy Island” or “The Woman In Black.” Both filmmakers have a history with the action genre, too, with Waldow helming 2013’s “Kick-Ass 2” and “Bloodshot” in 2020, and Watkins directing 2016’s “Bastille Day.” Watkins may be the slight favorite of the two, thanks to last year’s remake of “Speak No Evil” becoming a sleeper favorite with genre fans. That’s in no small part to the hulking and charismatic performance by James McAvoy, and “Clayface” will need a similar turn from its lead to work with audiences.
But it remains to be seen what iteration of Clayface will appear in the upcoming DC film. The Batman villain has had several versions appear in comic books over the year. The character was first introduced in “Detective Comics #40” as a movie actor who dons the costume of one of his characters to pursue a life of crime. However, later incarnations of the character involve him possessing shapeshifting abilities and a more ambivalent relationship with the Caped Crusader. The most acclaimed rendition of Clayface comes in the classic ’90s TV show “Batman: The Animated Series,” likely a central source for Flanagan’s screenplay.
Still, why make a standalone “Clayface” film? And why eye journeyman directors like Waldow and Watkins to direct? Clayface isn’t exactly an A-list villain in Batman’s rogues gallery, and feels like an odd choice by DC Studios to usher in their take on Gotham City. Maybe it’s too early to cast judgment, but this project feels like a misfire waiting to happen.
Or maybe let’s see how the new DCU begins before we belittle this project. Stay tuned for more news on “Clayface” soon.
