DC Studios is diving into the dark corners of its universe with an upcoming standalone film centered on Clayface—one of Batman’s most tragic and terrifying villains. Slated for theatrical release on September 11, 2026, the film is shaping up to be a gritty psychological horror with a body-horror twist, breaking from traditional superhero formulas.
Image Source: DC
🎬 Creative Team: Big Changes Behind the Scenes
The original pitch and screenplay came from acclaimed horror director Mike Flanagan (Doctor Sleep, The Haunting of Hill House), who aimed to reimagine Clayface with a character-driven, horror-infused lens. His vision reportedly focused on the tragic fall of Basil Karlo (or possibly Matt Hagen)—classic incarnations of the shapeshifting villain—echoing themes of identity, isolation, and transformation akin to films like The Fly.
However, Flanagan exited the project in early 2025 due to scheduling conflicts with his commitments to Blumhouse’s upcoming The Exorcist film and a television adaptation of Carrie. In his place, DC tapped James Watkins—director of The Woman in Black and Speak No Evil—to helm the film. Watkins is expected to maintain the horror tone while adding his own stylistic signature of tension and dread.
In a further development, Hossein Amini, best known for his work on Drive and The Two Faces of January, was brought in to revise the script. Amini’s expertise in crafting morally complex characters aligns well with Clayface’s descent from human to monster.
📅 Production Timeline & Release Date
According to industry insiders, production is expected to begin in the United Kingdom during fall 2025, likely around September or October. The release is locked in for September 11, 2026, as part of the first wave of DC’s rebooted cinematic universe—“Chapter One: Gods and Monsters”—under James Gunn and Peter Safran.
🎭 Tone, Budget, and Story Direction
Rather than fitting into the bright, punch-heavy superhero mold, Clayface will explore deeper horror territory. Described as a mix of psychological thriller and body horror, the film is said to focus on identity, fame, and deformity—likely drawing on Basil Karlo’s background as a disfigured actor desperate for revenge. The budget is reportedly modest by superhero standards—around $40 million—suggesting a more intimate and artistically ambitious approach rather than a CGI-driven blockbuster.
Sources familiar with the tone say it’s aiming for an R-rating, making it one of the darker entries in DC’s filmography, alongside titles like Joker and The Batman. Inspirations from David Cronenberg’s work have also been cited, emphasizing grotesque physical transformation and emotional horror.
🧑🤝🧑 Casting Rumors Debunked
Despite viral internet speculation, Daniel Radcliffe is not involved. James Gunn personally debunked the rumors in February 2025, stating that casting has not even begun as the creative team was only recently finalized. The film’s star—and whether it will portray Karlo, Hagen, or a new interpretation of Clayface—remains to be announced.
✅ Clayface Film Overview
| Category | Status |
|---|---|
| Writer | Mike Flanagan (original), rewrites by Hossein Amini |
| Director | James Watkins (signed February 2025) |
| Production Start | Expected Fall 2025 (UK) |
| Release Date | September 11, 2026 |
| Genre & Tone | R-rated psychological horror, body horror |
| Budget | ~$40 million |
| Casting | TBD |
Clayface represents DC’s latest move toward genre experimentation, continuing a trend started by films like Joker and The Batman that blend superhero elements with noir, crime, or horror. If successful, it could open the door for similarly offbeat villain-centric projects across the new DCU slate.
Wonder Woman Video Game Cancelled
The long-anticipated Wonder Woman video game, once in development by Monolith Productions, has officially been cancelled. Originally announced at The Game Awards 2021 with a cinematic teaser, the game promised players a chance to step into the boots of DC’s iconic heroine. However, Warner Bros. Games shut down development in early 2025 following internal restructuring and strategic shifts.
The initial teaser featured the voice of Hippolyta—Diana’s mother—hinting at a threat to Themyscira, the legendary island home of the Amazons. Although no gameplay footage was ever released, fans speculated the game would explore Diana’s origin and a new global conflict.
Despite early excitement, progress was rocky. The project reportedly underwent a major reboot, lost its original director, and burned through more than $100 million. With little to show publicly, Warner Bros. ultimately cancelled the game and shut down Monolith Productions along with two other studios.
Key Takeaways
- The Wonder Woman video game was cancelled in February 2025
- Originally developed by Monolith Productions using the Nemesis System
- Warner Bros. Games restructured to focus on core franchises like Batman, Mortal Kombat, and Harry Potter
The Cancelled Vision
The game was intended to be a single-player, open-world action-adventure. Monolith Productions—best known for *Shadow of Mordor*—had planned to integrate their patented Nemesis System, enabling dynamic enemy interactions and personalized rivalries. Fans hoped this would set the game apart from other superhero titles.
Set in Themyscira and potentially spanning the wider DC universe, the game was expected to follow Diana’s journey through both myth and modernity. Iconic tools like the Lasso of Truth and her indestructible bracelets were anticipated gameplay elements, alongside flight and melee combat.
Why It Was Cancelled
In February 2025, Warner Bros. Games cancelled the project as part of a larger internal restructuring. The decision followed the underperformance of recent titles like *Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League* and *MultiVersus*. The company opted to double down on proven IPs such as *Harry Potter*, *Batman*, and *Mortal Kombat*, cutting riskier or slower-moving projects in the process.
Monolith Productions was one of three studios closed by Warner Bros., effectively ending development on Wonder Woman and raising questions about the future of the Nemesis System in gaming.
A Project That Never Took Flight
The cancellation is especially disappointing given the excitement surrounding the Wonder Woman IP. Fans had high hopes for a solo game that could elevate Diana to the same level of interactive storytelling seen in *Batman: Arkham* or *Marvel’s Spider-Man*. Unfortunately, without gameplay footage or concrete story details, the game remained more promise than product.
While Warner Bros. has not ruled out future DC projects, no replacement Wonder Woman title is currently in development. The character’s next major appearance will likely be in films or ensemble games, rather than a standalone video game adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was the Wonder Woman game officially cancelled?
Yes. Warner Bros. Games cancelled the project in February 2025 and shut down Monolith Productions.
Why was the game cancelled?
The game faced multiple internal issues, including reboots, leadership changes, and ballooning costs. Warner Bros. Games shifted strategy to focus on fewer, more commercially viable franchises.
Was any gameplay ever shown?
No. The only public material was a short CG teaser shown at The Game Awards 2021. No gameplay footage or demos were ever released.
Will there be another Wonder Woman video game?
Nothing has been announced. While the Wonder Woman character remains popular, Warner Bros. has no confirmed plans for a new game featuring her at this time.
