Clayface screenwriter Mike Flanagan reported that Batman: The Animated Series inspired his script and characterization of Clayface.
During a press tour for his new movie The Life of Chuck, Flanagan opened up about how he drew directly from BTAS. Specifically, he took a lot of references from the Clayface origin story episodes “Feat of Clay”. Flanagan revealed how he was heavily influenced by its sympathetic portrayal by Clayface voice actor Ron Pearlman. Batman: The Animated Series in general influenced Flanagan.
“I mean that is the perfect [story]. “‘Feat of Clay,’ Ron Perlman, to me, that’s it. That two-parter knocked me out. The short answer is that is absolutely what inspired my script. That is the world I wanted to live in. Batman: The Animated Series when I was growing up was my Batman. As much as [Michael] Keaton was my Batman, The Animated Series really was my Batman.”
How Much Will Mike Flanagan’s Version Stay?
Mike Flanagan did warn though that he is not involved with the creative process anymore. He is wrote a script, passed it to Warner Bros., where it is undergoing rewrites. So who knows how much of his original vision will come through in the final product.
“I don’t know what they’re doing with Clayface. I’m not directing it, and that filmmaker will need to make it their own. I know that they’re doing work on the script. I’m off doing other things now, I really hope it remains true to the spirit of what I wanted it to be. But it’s not my movie, so I’ll be in the audience with you, anxious to see how it comes out.”
The ‘BTAS’ Origin
While it will undoubtedly have changes, Clayface at least has a strong foundation to build a story on. “Feat of Clay” is considered one of the best episode arcs in an already amazing catalog of episodes from Batman: The Animated Series. It revamped Clayface and stripped down his origin story. It also gave the character much needed pathos.
Matt Hagen was originally an actor with an addiction to an experimental formula that gave him the ability to change his face. But when he was exposed to an overwhelming amount of the formula, he transformed into the shape-shifting Clayface.
Even a fraction of that tragic backstory from the BTAS episode will make for engaging dramatic fodder for the Clayface film.
Clayface will hit theaters on September 11, 2026.
Source: comicbook.com
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