CLAYFACE Rumored To Be Undergoing A Page 1 Rewrite - And It Sounds Like The DCU Is Already In Trouble

CLAYFACE Rumored To Be Undergoing A Page 1 Rewrite - And It Sounds Like The DCU Is Already In Trouble

Sgt. Rock has essentially been scrapped by DC Studios, and now Clayface might be going back to the drawing board. We also have news on potential issues between James Gunn and HBO. Is the DCU in trouble?

By JoshWilding - May 02, 2025 04:05 AM EST
Filed Under: Batman

Back in February, DC Studios enlisted Speak to Evil director James Watkins to helm Clayface. Given the filmmaker's horror background (if you haven't seen Eden Lake, make it a priority), all signs point to this potentially being one of the most messed-up comic book movies ever. 

However, Jeff Sneider is reporting today that Mike Flanagan only wrote a "skeleton" script for the movie, and with his focus shifting to the upcoming Carrie TV series, Clayface is reportedly getting a "Page 1 rewrite." 

Following up on his report on The Hot Mic, Sneider revealed that Sgt. Rock's budget was the reason for the movie's cancellation/postponement, not the "weather." It sounds like Luca Guadagnino initially had $70 million to play with, only for it to be reduced to $65 million (compromising the filmmaker's vision in the process).

It may have also been greenlit with Daniel Craig attached to star; when he pulled out, Guadagnino had to settle for The Penguin star Colin Farrell. 

DC Studios is led by writer/director James Gunn and veteran movie producer Peter Safran. However, their inexperience as studio heads is beginning to show, and time is running out for them to have a DCU movie ready to hit theaters in late 2026/early 2027. 

Despite Gunn's insistence that DC Studios is separate from Warner Bros. Pictures, he still has to answer to Warner Bros. Discovery bosses. During the podcast, Sneider strongly hinted that the DCU's future will be reevaluated after Superman's release this summer.

It seems there may be some frustration on Gunn's part as well, with HBO slow/reluctant to add superhero fare to the premium cable network. He may have even gone over Casey Bloys' head directly to David Zaslav to get Lanterns underway. 

When the DCU was first announced at the start of 2023, an ambitious film and TV slate was announced; only a few of those have come to fruition as we write this, bringing back memories of the DCEU slate reveal in 2014 that ultimately meant very little. 

Talking about Clayface earlier this year, Gunn said, "One of the things Peter and I talked about when we first got the script is if we were producing movies five years ago, like when we were doing Belko Experiment and all of that stuff, and somebody had brought us this horror script called Clayface about this guy, we would have died to have produced this movie."

"Because it was just a really excellent body horror script. And the fact that it's in the DCU is just a plus," he added. "Then we have Clayface: pure [frick]ing horror. Like totally real. Their version of that movie, it is so real and true and psychological and body horror and gross. It's definitely R-rated."

Clayface is currently scheduled to arrive in theaters on September 11, 2026. 

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Gambito
Gambito - 5/2/2025, 4:48 AM
They would greenlight a film based on a “skeleton” script? By Mike freaking Flannigan? Not buying it
MakeAmericaGrea
MakeAmericaGrea - 5/2/2025, 10:03 AM
It sounds like the MCU is still in trouble.
THEKENDOMAN
THEKENDOMAN - 5/2/2025, 11:00 AM
@MakeAmericaGrea - is this you being sarcastic 😒
mastakilla39
mastakilla39 - 5/2/2025, 11:14 AM
@Gambito - mike flanagans a good writer, not surprised but i'm assuming its getting a page 1 rewrite because it was originally written not to be in the DCU. Gunn wants to get the ball rolling and is trying to force all the scripts that were written not to be in the DCU to now be included. Guess thats whats making directors leave the projects too, its the same issue directors have with Star Wars right now too.
BackwardGalaxy
BackwardGalaxy - 5/2/2025, 12:48 PM
@Gambito - this sounds like BS. They had NO desire to make this movie and only decided to go forward because the script was so great they were blown out of the water. The logic doesn't follow.
THEKENDOMAN
THEKENDOMAN - 5/2/2025, 5:00 AM
This is [frick]ing bollocks.

I mean I have been saying this from the get-go.

But all you whinners keep saying, “Gunn engaging with the fans is good, he is keeping us posted”

Yeah, keep you posted with bollocks that smell like bollocks.

It's a [frick]ing pattern here when DC tries to duplicate Pre-Marvel in terms of announcements etc.

But what they dont seem to get into their [frick]ing thick heads is Pre-Marvel was all planned out, scripts were approved, directors were lined up, and even if there was a hole here or there they still had a solid [frick]ing plan.

With that said, that worked for Marvel. If anything needs to be duplicated apart from having a solid plan, get things reviewed and approved.

Stop [frick]ing trying to catch up.

Focus on one project after the other, there is no [frick]ing rush.

For [frick]s Sake

Why do I need to get drawn into this [frick]ing shieeet every time?

[frick]ing Batman

[frick]ing Superman’s CGI face

[frick]ing St Rock

[frick]ing Clayface

For [frick]s Sake

[frick] [frick] [frick]

Gunn [frick]ing your getting your house in order.

Enough with the [frick]ing unclear announcements.

Let the focus be Superman, that is the [frick]ing plan, everything else should wait.

Make your [frick]ing pop with that.

Promote your [frick]ing dog

Promote your [frick]ingself being in all the pics

Promote the [frick]ing movie, when you get the chance.

[frick]ing promote the [frick]ing movie, is supposedly the beginning of the new [frick]ing DCU.

But [frick]ing hell mate, stop with these [frick]ing announcements and [frick]ing talking too much about a plan that is obviously [frick]ing all over the place.

For [frick]s Sake
newhire13
newhire13 - 5/2/2025, 5:04 AM
@THEKENDOMAN - 🙄 Calm your hormones
THEKENDOMAN
THEKENDOMAN - 5/2/2025, 5:21 AM
@newhire13 - Nah mate, [frick] that.

It's [frick]ing annoying to read this shit every week.

For [frick]s Sake
Rexotron
Rexotron - 5/2/2025, 8:14 AM
@THEKENDOMAN - Gunn jade nothing to do with CG Superman. Marvel... was not well prepared. Iron Man didn't have a full script. A lot was improvised. The Incredible Hulk. Shot a lot of unused stuff to appease a star who thought he was a writer/producer, and who then didn't promote the film. They had less in order than DC
JurassicClunge
JurassicClunge - 5/2/2025, 8:16 AM
@THEKENDOMAN -

my review of the comment: 3/5 ⭐️ - needs more [frick]s! 🤔
bobevanz
bobevanz - 5/2/2025, 8:39 AM
@THEKENDOMAN - This isn't news, this is another rumor from another nobody. [frick] Sneider, he's the one who "heard" about the terrible Superman screening that ONLY HAD FRIENDS AND FAMILY. This clown was a Snyder fan so he's going to try his hardest to make shit up. First the baseless rumors about Matt Reeves delaying because he MIGHT have a relative who's dying. Now it's "starting from scratch" right after confirmed news about Sgt. Rock. This site is all click bait, and now the ad block pop ups have begun muahahaha. You don't know shit, Josh doesn't know shit, and Sneider definitely doesn't know Jack shit. Touch grass
Solarkalel85
Solarkalel85 - 5/2/2025, 8:54 AM
@THEKENDOMAN - bollocks obsessed much
THEKENDOMAN
THEKENDOMAN - 5/2/2025, 9:21 AM
@Rexotron - Matey. I read you.

But I don’t agree with that.

Maybe I missed all that but shit looked more organised than the bollocks we are seeing and reading
THEKENDOMAN
THEKENDOMAN - 5/2/2025, 9:22 AM
@JurassicClunge - Bitch 😂

But I’m I lying ??
THEKENDOMAN
THEKENDOMAN - 5/2/2025, 9:27 AM
@bobevanz - So you see my [frick]ing frustration.

These [frick]ers are trying so hard to make life difficult.

Anyway, I’m DC so I can scream if I want to.
THEKENDOMAN
THEKENDOMAN - 5/2/2025, 9:27 AM
@Solarkalel85 - [frick]ing bollocks
fanboy03191
fanboy03191 - 5/2/2025, 9:44 AM
@newhire13 - Aside from the boisterous performance he's not wrong- the DCU just feels off somehow. Like they didn't even TRY to salvage what came before, just started over. But I sorta see why- Black Adam and Flash were trash, as was WW 1984. But they're still trying to chase that Marvel cash. If it didn't work the first time, it won't work this time. No matter who is in charge.
KennKathleen
KennKathleen - 5/2/2025, 9:44 AM
@THEKENDOMAN - 🤔... What exatly is "Bollocks"?

User Comment Image

User Comment Image
Super12
Super12 - 5/2/2025, 9:46 AM
@KennKathleen - Bollocks = BS
THEKENDOMAN
THEKENDOMAN - 5/2/2025, 9:52 AM
@Super12 - Thank you.
theBlackSquare
theBlackSquare - 5/2/2025, 9:53 AM
@KennKathleen - haha best comment I've read in a while.
THEKENDOMAN
THEKENDOMAN - 5/2/2025, 9:53 AM
@KennKathleen - @Super12

😂 I’m from the hood & proud

My man👊🏿
KennKathleen
KennKathleen - 5/2/2025, 9:57 AM
@THEKENDOMAN - User Comment Image
SpiderParker
SpiderParker - 5/2/2025, 10:03 AM
@Rexotron - Iron Man was announced in 2005 after being in development elsewhere for a long time, a lot seems to be improvised. But, it did have a script. In 2006, Incredible Hulk also entered development, while scripts were being prepared for Thor and Cap. But only after Iron Man was released and performed well did Marvel move forward with Thor and Cap. The same story for Avengers and a lot of Phase 2 movies. They were in different stages of planning but at a time only a few of them were in active development, production or even announced. So, Marvel was indeed well-prepared and very picky with their initial projects.

I'm hopeful for Superman, but the announced DCU slate seems too ambitious for a cinematic universe that is just starting off. They don't seem selective at all, having greenlit movies for Chapter 1 that might cause a studio like Marvel to get flak even if they announced them in their Phase 6.
JurassicClunge
JurassicClunge - 5/2/2025, 10:59 AM
@THEKENDOMAN - nope 🤣😭 I'm with you on this one 🤣🤣🤣
THEKENDOMAN
THEKENDOMAN - 5/2/2025, 11:01 AM
@JurassicClunge - 😂😂👊🏿
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 5/2/2025, 5:05 AM
Gotta love this ''DCU is doomed before it even started'' narrative. Gimme a break
bobevanz
bobevanz - 5/2/2025, 8:41 AM
@bkmeijer1 - it seems the playstation vs Xbox nerds are now adults
TheJok3r
TheJok3r - 5/2/2025, 5:07 AM
The days of WB throwing $$$ at projects with a 0 chance of succeeding are long behind us. If Superman doesn't perform up to expectations in a couple of months, DC on film is dead. There's also rumors going around that WB is very close to pulling the plug on Batman II, but I guess we'll wait and see if anyone with more credibility starts reporting that.
fanboy03191
fanboy03191 - 5/2/2025, 9:46 AM
@TheJok3r - Man I hope not. But clearly WB has been the problem. As for the Batman II, I hope it gets made as I loved the first but I don't think it's happening. Gunn's DCU ruined that- WB is probably thinking they don't want multiple Batmen running around on screen cause it'll confuse audiences.
TheJok3r
TheJok3r - 5/2/2025, 10:29 AM
@fanboy03191 - Actually, Reeves' personal issues are what have been getting in the way of it going into production, and it seems like WB doesn't want to wait any longer. I also loved the first one and hope he manages to finish his trilogy, it's just not looking good. Unfortunately, I think the days of DC on film are numbered.
quas95
quas95 - 5/2/2025, 5:12 AM
I'd be ok if this got cancelled. I rooting for them but do we need Clay face solo movie in DCU? I personally don't think so. I'd be worried if this was about lanterns or supergirl. Those seem like actual pillars to build a shared universe compared to a villain movie.
fosdog
fosdog - 5/2/2025, 7:11 AM
@quas95 - man, I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks we don't really need a Clayface movie. I know the Penguin and Peacemaker did well, but I just don't think Gunn and his team need to keep giving us b-list characters as the leads in movies and tv shows. just this ol' boys opinion.
Urubrodi
Urubrodi - 5/2/2025, 2:51 PM
@quas95 - Supergirl a pillar of DC... always saw her more as a side character to be honest. If we were talking about Wonder Woman then of course. But Supergirl is far from a must have imo.
quas95
quas95 - 5/2/2025, 3:47 PM
@Urubrodi - Well I agree with you, but I'd say she has the potential to contribute to the DCU narrative than Clayface might have. Also anyone who has had a long runinng solo series or have had decent success in solo runs through out the years I think should be priority since there is more to adapt there.
JoshWilding
JoshWilding - 5/2/2025, 5:15 AM
Unless Superman is a MASSIVE hit (and I think it could do very well), I'm expecting Gunn to step down by the end of the year so he can "focus" on the "creative." One step closer to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 4, anyway.
Arthorious
Arthorious - 5/2/2025, 8:18 AM
@JoshWilding - I hope it makes bank, but if those rumors of the keyboard warrior monkeys ends up being true, I can see that really turning off people. And Gunn has been pretty quick to shut down fake leaks before he’s been awfully quiet about this one.
Spike101
Spike101 - 5/2/2025, 8:26 AM
@JoshWilding - I’d take Gunn doing GotG 4
bobevanz
bobevanz - 5/2/2025, 8:42 AM
@JoshWilding - he isn't stepping down, and he sure as hell isn't going back to Marvel LOL
fanboy03191
fanboy03191 - 5/2/2025, 9:47 AM
@Spike101 - Don't count on it. He's done with Marvel. We're lucky we even got GotG 3.
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