James Watkins To Direct DC Studios’ ‘Clayface’
‘Speak No Evil’ director James Watkins will helm the upcoming DC film.
DC Studios has landed horror director James Watkins as the helmer of their upcoming Clayface movie. The feature will be written by Mike Flanagan, who wasn’t available to direct due to his commitment to the upcoming The Exorcist movies.
Watkins’ last movie, an english-language remake of Speak No Evil, was critically and commercially acclaimed and is referred to as one of the best horror movies of 2024. The movie follows a man who goes insane and takes extreme measures to remove a group of people from his property and this descent into madness is likely what drew the eyes of James Gunn and DC executives to Watkins, as this framing of a conflicted character who could commit horrible evils falls in line with Clayface.
A Clayface movie that fully embraces horror would be an incredibly bold and refreshing addition to the superhero genre, especially given the character’s unsettling body horror potential. The recent success of The Substance, which received critical acclaim for its chilling exploration of body horror and personal deterioration, proves that audiences are drawn to stories about identity crises told through grotesque transformations.
A Clayface film could follow a similar path, showcasing the harrowing experience of a man whose body rebels against him in unimaginable ways. Like The Substance, which captivated audiences with its visceral visuals and social meta-commentary, a horror-inspired Clayface movie could take full advantage of the character’s ability to morph, melt, manipulate and shape his form in terrifying ways, making for deeply unsettling sequences.
What Is Clayface About?
Per The Hollywood Reporter, Clayface is described as a Hollywood horror story that follows a B-movie actor who injects himself with a substance to keep himself relevant.
There is no word yet on who will be cast as the titular character, but Watkins could look at actors he has worked with before to fill the role. James McAvoy has experience with comic book movies and isn’t held up by much work at the minute so he could be an ideal pick to be one of the fresh faces of the DCU.
Clayface will be directed by James Watkins and produced by James Gunn. The film is set to release September 11, 2026.
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