James Watkins, greatest recognized for steering Converse No Evil and The Lady in Black, has been tapped to helm DC’s upcoming Clayface film. The undertaking, written by horror filmmaker Mike Flanagan, is being overseen by DC Studios co-heads James Gunn and Peter Safran.

DC Studios has been trying to find a director for a number of months, with Gunn reportedly assembly with Watkins final Thursday for a ultimate presentation earlier than making the choice. With Watkins now connected, a deal is being finalized because the studio gears as much as start manufacturing later this yr. The movie is scheduled for launch on September 11, 2026, and might be considered one of DC’s extra modestly budgeted initiatives.

What we all know in regards to the Clayface film

First launched in 1940, Clayface has been portrayed in numerous kinds throughout DC media, usually depicted as a shapeshifting villain able to molding his look into anybody or something. In keeping with The Hollywood Reporter, the upcoming movie is budgeted at $40 million and can heart on a B-movie actor who injects himself with an experimental substance to remain related. Nonetheless, the process goes horribly incorrect, turning him right into a grotesque, ever-changing creature product of dwelling clay.

Casting for Clayface has but to be introduced, however Gunn and Safran have beforehand said that DC Studios goals for continuity between its animated and live-action initiatives. Which means that actors voicing characters in DC’s animated reveals might reprise their roles in live-action. Alan Tudyk at present voices Clayface in Harley Quinn and Creature Commandos.

The Clayface film is a part of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s broader technique to steadiness large-scale superhero movies with smaller, genre-driven initiatives. Whereas Superman will function the flagship movie for the DC Universe reboot, Clayface represents a unique strategy, delivering a horror-focused story centered on considered one of Batman’s most original villains.

Supply: The Hollywood Reporter