DC Studios is reworking one of its most intriguing upcoming projects, and it’s not your average cape-and-cowl affair. The long-gestating Clayface film—initially penned by horror auteur Mike Flanagan—is undergoing a significant rewrite with acclaimed screenwriter Hossein Amini (Drive, The Wings of the Dove) now crafting the latest draft. The film remains an R-rated, body horror-driven character piece focused on Basil Karlo, one of the more tragic and grotesque figures from Batman’s rogues’ gallery.
Despite the change in screenwriters, the core vision of Clayface appears intact. The project still leans heavily into horror and psychological thriller territory, far removed from the action-heavy tone often associated with superhero fare. With James Watkins (The Woman in Black) still directing and producers Matt Reeves and Lynn Harris at the helm, the creative team promises a uniquely haunting addition to the DC Universe—one that aligns with the studio’s “Gods and Monsters” strategy. That initiative, led by DC Studios co-heads James Gunn and Peter Safran, focuses on character-driven stories that don’t shy away from darkness.
Production is currently slated to kick off in the UK in October 2025, targeting a September 11, 2026 theatrical release. The standalone film is expected to explore Basil Karlo’s descent into madness and mutation as he grapples with both his identity and his monstrous transformation. Early descriptions compare the tone to The Fly and Frankenstein, with Karlo portrayed not as a clear-cut villain, but a victim of ambition, trauma, and loss.
This shift from Flanagan’s version to Amini’s rewrite doesn’t signal a creative collapse—it signals refinement. Amini’s skill in building emotionally intense, character-first narratives suggests Clayface might be the most grounded yet unnerving tale DC has told since The Batman. And considering Clayface’s resurgence in Batman: The Caped Crusader and the upcoming Creature Commandos animated series, the timing couldn’t be better.
This could be DC’s Joker moment for horror fans—a reimagining of a villain not through action set pieces, but through an emotional and terrifying unraveling.
gfpods.com 
Leave a comment