James Watkins to Direct DC’s Clayface Movie with Mike Flanagan Script

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — James Watkins has been chosen to direct the upcoming feature film centered on the Batman villain Clayface, after months of searching by DC Studios. The horror-focused project will feature a script from acclaimed writer Mike Flanagan and aims to showcase a different facet of DC’s cinematic universe.

Watkins met with DC co-chief James Gunn on Thursday to solidify his role as director, with a deal currently in the works. The film is budgeted at $40 million and is described as a Hollywood horror tale about a B-movie actor who, seeking relevance, injects himself with a substance that enables him to reshape his face and form into a malleable figure.

Clayface, initially introduced in 1940, is known for his shape-shifting abilities. This movie is set to begin shooting later this year and is anticipated to explore a different narrative breadth of the DC material, juxtaposing big-budget superhero films with lesser-known characters in smaller projects.

Produced by Matt Reeves of The Batman fame alongside Lynn Harris and DC Studios heads Gunn and Peter Safran, Clayface is slated for release on September 11, 2026. However, casting details have yet to be announced.

Gunn and Safran mentioned that actors involved in animated DC projects may reprise their roles in live-action, which includes Alan Tudyk as the voice of Clayface in the animated series Harley Quinn and Creature Commandos. Previously, Ron Perlman voiced the character in Batman: The Animated Series and Brian McManamon portrayed him in Gotham.

Watkins is recognized for his work on critically acclaimed horror films, including Speak No Evil, which features James McAvoy and was praised for its unsettling atmosphere and box office performance. His impressive filmography also includes the 2012 ghost story The Woman in Black, starring Daniel Radcliffe, and the 2016 Idris Elba thriller The Take.

With a background in establishing a grounded atmosphere in horror films, Watkins is expected to bring a unique vision to Clayface. His reputation for creating compelling narratives makes him a fitting choice for the character’s transition from a traditional villain to a more complex, tragic figure.