Did Mike Flanagan have a grand plan for Clayface? The long-lasting horror director reveals why he stepped away from the DC Universe movie he wrote.

Whereas it was first seen as one of the vital perplexing titles on the studio’s slate, Clayface has shortly turn into one of the vital anticipated titles within the DC Universe. The movie was written by horror legend Mike Flanagan. And whereas many anticipated him to even be the director, the studio as an alternative introduced on Converse No Evil and The Lady In Black alum James Watkins to helm the mission.

Display Rant just lately had the prospect to meet up with Mike Flanagan to discuss the method of creating a film for the DC Universe. Considered one of their questions was if Clayface might have really been impressed by The Batman, particularly as early rumors had director Matt Reeves bringing the villain into his universe. Nonetheless, it appears Flanagan had a lot less complicated inspirations than some would possibly assume.

“No, after we first began speaking about Clayface, I hadn’t seen what Matt [Reeves] was as much as. So it went all the best way again to ‘Feat of Clay’, that unimaginable two-parter with Ron Perlman voicing the character, which was so formative for me as a child.”

Why Isn’t Mike Flanagan Directing Clayface?

After all, any dialogue about Clayface with Mike Flanagan raises the query: if he loves the mission a lot, why isn’t he extra intently concerned? Persevering with on within the interview, the author remarked that he would have cherished to helm the DC Universe movie. Nonetheless, his obligations in the end led to them bringing on one other director to get the movie out of the door.

“Clayface, I had a lot enjoyable creating that with Matt, after which with James and Peter. It was one of many nice form of sadnesses of my profession that I’m so sorry that when it got here time to make it, they usually wished to make this film instantly, I wasn’t accessible.”

“[It] the one time this has ever occurred to me the place I used to be like, ‘I’ve to go make Carrie. There’s nothing I can do.’ [But] they wished the film to occur, so I needed to form of do the factor that I’ve by no means needed to do earlier than, it’s like, ‘Nicely, right here you go. Have enjoyable making the film and inform me the way it goes.’”

Whereas it was possible laborious for Mike Flanagan to observe a mission he wrote be handed off to a different director, it definitely is smart given how slowly the DC Universe has been greenlighting new function movies. Clayface is about to be one of many studio’s tentpoles heading into the Halloween season, a bet that can hopefully repay in spades.

Clayface is about to launch September eleventh, 2026. Keep tuned for the most recent information concerning the way forward for the DC Universe and ensure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for extra content material!