One of the most underrated Batman supervillains is Clayface. Batman’s nemesis is doing very well right now. For example, the HBO series “The Penguin” has been extremely successful. Now, DC Studios has another project in the works, Clayface. This shapeshifting villain will get a new look from scriptwriter Mike Flanagan, who brought us “Doctor Sleep.” They are predicted to begin filling in a little over a year. There are several live-action and animated DC projects in the works that feature the Caped Crusader and heroes, such as The Batman: Part II, Batman Azteca: Choque de Imperios, Bat-Family, The Brave & The Bold, Season 5 Harly Quinn, with more and now Clayface will be joining them.
Where Did Clayface Come From?
Bill Finger and Bob Kane created Clayface, which appeared in June 1940 in the 40th Comic Detective Comics. A string of Clayface’s have become the tragic adversaries of Bruce Wayne’s night work. Over the years, there have been many Clayfaces, and they have grown in abilities and crimes, giving Flanagan overwhelming opportunities to write about. The first Clayface was Basil Karlo, and when he appeared in the comics, he had no superpowers. He was very much Batman’s centerpiece, just a mortal, mortal, with no extraordinary superpower abilities, but he wore a mask. It took several comic additions before his body became mud through cell changes.
Not Only A Shapeshifter
The next was Matt Hagen, who could only temporarily shapeshift and had to return to a mud puddle every other day. He could change his physical appearance and mimic the voice of those he wished. This limited his ability, and writers would soon change that. Preston Payne was the third with the same shape-shifting ability but also had an offensive touch, allowing him to melt people if he wanted to. There were a few after Payne who had some variation of abilities.
Another was Peter Malley, who could dissolve others just by looking at them. Then there was Cassius “Clay” Payne, who could remove portions of his clay self to bond with human hosts, turning them into clay slaves. Taking all these abilities and capabilities Clayface has, Flanagan can take the DC Studios project into almost endless possibilities. Flanagan tweeted his interest in making a Clayface horror/thriller/tragedy movie. Flanagan has brought us movies like The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass Doctor Sleep, and The Life of Chuck. He will have a singular point of view in the DC Universe.
Flanagan’s History
Flanagan also has other anticipated projects in the works, such as the Carrie series, the Exorcist reboot, The Season of Passage film, and striving to obtain The Dark Tower television rights. Several iconic Batman villains have endeavored to have standalone movies and series. Most of them have been very successful, some with harsh repercussions. If you were to go back in time and predict where DC Studios would have become, you would probably have been laughed at by the Joker.
What It Could Mean
The plot details are being kept a secret for now, and it’s unclear whether this will be part of the main DCU continuity. DC may be setting him up to be their next iconic Anti-Hero. Flanagan’s ability to create compelling, character-driven narratives with humor and heart makes him well-suited to transforming the oddball, clay man villain into an anti-hero worth rooting for. The decision to expand the DC Studios project reflects their confidence and commitment to the Batman franchise. They aren’t slowing down or pitching but delving deeper into the souls of some of these side characters. This challenge has a devoted fanbase who want nothing but to see how this one hopeless actor backstory turned mutant Clayface will trap our imaginations and thrill us.
