One of the most sought-after directing opportunities in Hollywood right now is DC’s Clayface, which is moving forward with a screenplay by Mike Flanagan and a planned theatrical release on September 11, 2026.
Sources indicate that DC executives will begin hearing pitches from prospective directors next week, with some of the leading contenders including Truth or Dare’s Jeff Wadlow and Speak No Evil’s James Watkins.
At the same time, speculation is growing that the casting process has already begun. Once a director is officially attached, DC and the chosen filmmaker will collaborate on selecting actors for the project. The final casting decisions will ultimately be influenced by the director’s vision for the film.
Clayface is being produced by DC Studios co-heads James Gunn and Peter Safran, along with The Batman director Matt Reeves and producer Lynn Harris. Chantal Nong is serving as executive producer.
Although Doctor Sleep filmmaker Mike Flanagan penned the script, he was never expected to direct the project, given his commitments to other upcoming ventures, including Universal’s Exorcist reboot.
DC’s Project Clayface
The film is rumored to blend horror, thriller, and tragedy elements, offering a fresh take on the character. Unlike his traditional depiction as a notorious Batman villain, Clayface is expected to portray its lead character in a different light.
The film is set to premiere in the coveted post-Labor Day release window, a prime spot for genre films, where past horror blockbusters like It and The Nun franchises, as well as Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, have found box office success.
Clayface first appeared in Detective Comics #40 in June 1940. The original version of the character was a moderately successful actor who, after turning to crime, assumed the identity of a horror movie character he had previously portrayed.
Over the decades, Clayface has been depicted across various forms of media, including films, television series, animated adaptations, and video games.
Jeff Wadlow is represented by UTA, Artists First, and Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum Matlof and Fishman. James Watkins is represented by United Agents and WME.
