DC Studios Bets on Genre Blend with Darker 'Clayface' Film

DC Studios is venturing into uncharted territory with its upcoming film "Clayface," a project aimed at blending the horror and superhero genres. The film, part of the initial slate from DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran, represents a departure from traditional superhero narratives.

While neither Safran nor Gunn were initially seeking a standalone "Clayface" movie, writer-director Mike Flanagan presented a vision that captivated them. Safran noted that the pitch "fit within the broader framework of how James and I saw the broad spectrum of film and television shows we want to make." The project eventually saw James Watkins come on board to direct, with a script by Flanagan and Hossein Amini.

"Clayface" is described as a darker detour for the DC universe, with Safran stating, "From the get-go, this was not designed to be a traditional superhero movie. It was always supposed to be a character-driven story that uses the DC mythology. If you took the DC elements out of it, it would just be a great horror movie."

This genre fusion sets "Clayface" apart in the typically formulaic landscape of superhero films. The movie is rated R, has a modest budget of $40 million, and stars Tom Rhys Harries in the role of the lesser-known DC villain. Director James Watkins emphasized that the film is intended to stand on its own, even for those unfamiliar with the character.

Safran and Gunn have prioritized filmmaker-driven projects at DC, opting for a more diverse and multi-genre approach. "Clayface" is scheduled to open in theaters on Oct. 22, following "Superman" and "Supergirl." Its performance is seen as important, especially as it comes after the box-office disappointment of "Supergirl," and amid the broader leadership changes at Warner Bros. under David Ellison.

While the blend of horror and superhero elements is not entirely new, with previous examples like Wes Craven's "Swamp Thing" and Gunn's own produced "Brightburn," "Clayface" centers on a character with a unique comic book history. Originally created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane in 1940, Clayface, in his initial iteration as Basil Karlo, was an actor who resorted to murder.

Director Watkins' film draws inspiration from the "Batman: The Animated Series" two-part episode "Feat of Clay." The story follows rising movie star Matt Hagen (Harries), who, after being disfigured by a mob boss and facing career ruin, undergoes an experimental rehabilitation process. This process, developed by Dr. Caitlyn Corr (Naomi Ackie), involves an untested, claylike living organism.

Harries described the experience of embodying the character as surprising, noting, "Part of the joy was being surprised at what’s looking back at me in the mirror every day." The film is largely a character study, focusing on Hagen's descent as his attempts to reclaim his Hollywood career take a dark turn. His relationship with Dr. Corr is central to the narrative propulsion.

As the story progresses, Hagen's body undergoes increasingly disturbing transformations, featuring chilling body horror elements. While visual effects were employed, Watkins focused on practical effects to enhance the sense of realism and psychological impact. The film explores body-changing extremes in its third act, with Hagen adopting the appearances of other characters around him. Watkins highlighted the collaborative nature of these scenes, where actors would often swap roles moment to moment with Harries.