The DC Universe is heading to Gotham City this fall.
The Batman mythology is slowly coming to life in the DCU’s Chapter 1: “Gods and Monsters” slate, as the Dark Knight’s reboot is still in the works at DC Studios. However, some of his greatest foes are also coming to life in James Gunn’s new universe, and one of them is about to take the spotlight this year.
In a new interview with Comic Book Movie, Mike Flanagan opened up about the differences of tackling the upcoming Carrie TV show and DC Studios’ Clayface. The horror legend stated, “[Carrie] was different because Clayface had never been adapted before outside of the animated series and in a lot of the animated work, but had never made it into a feature film and certainly never as the central character. And so Clayface for me felt kind of wide open. It was we were the first to kind of get in and do that.”
While having written the Clayface movie script, Flanagan stressed, “Now that said, Clayface, you know, very much is not mine. It’s James Watkins’ movie. I wrote a script I loved and I turned it in and then that’s the last… I haven’t even seen it. I’m excited to see it and see what James did with it. But that’s James’ film, and I’m so excited to see what he made.” As he wrote the first screenplay, Hossein Amini also did a rewrite of the project, with the two of them now sharing writing credits.
Starring Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen, the R-rated horror film centers on an actor who ends up becoming the famous shapeshifting monster after he undergoes a transformation in an attempt to fix his disfigurement. The character first appeared in the DCU in the animated Creature Commandos TV show, as it was later confirmed that it was the same player that audience members are about to see on the big screen this year.
The upcoming DCU movie will be the first R-rated installment for DC Studios’ theatrical side, with James Watkins bringing the Batman antagonist to theaters for the first time. Clayface has previously been used mostly in animated shows while also having one single live-action appearance in the Gotham drama, where they used the Basil Karlo iteration.
From the Caped Crusader to The Batman · Eight QuestionsHow Well Do You Know Batman?“I’m Batman.”
Bob & Bill Detective Comics #27, 1939
The Camp Era Adam West, 1966
Burton & Schumacher Keaton to Clooney, 1989–97
The Dark Knight Bale & Ledger, 2005–12
The Batman Pattinson & Reeves, 2022–
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Batman debuted in Detective Comics #27 in May 1939. Cartoonist Bob Kane received sole credit for creating the character for the next 76 years — on every comic, every TV series, every film — despite being only half of the real partnership. His uncredited collaborator wrote much of the original story, designed the cowl and cape, invented the name “Bruce Wayne,” named Gotham City, and helped create the Joker, the Penguin, the Riddler and Catwoman. DC finally added his name to all Batman credits in 2015. Who?
✓ Correct! Bill Finger (1914–1974). Kane’s original 1939 pitch was a Superman-style figure in a red leotard with a domino mask and bat-wings; Finger talked him into the cowl, scalloped cape, gauntlets and grey-and-black colour scheme that have defined the character ever since. Finger also wrote Detective Comics #27 itself, named Bruce Wayne (after Robert the Bruce and Anthony Wayne), created Gotham as a stand-in for New York, and co-created most of the rogues’ gallery — while signing a 1939 contract that gave Kane exclusive byline credit. Kane received millions in royalties; Finger died poor and uncredited. After a 2014 documentary and a 2015 family campaign, Warner Bros. and DC added “Batman created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger” to every credit starting with Gotham (Fox), Batman v Superman (2016) and forward.
✗ Wrong. The answer is Bill Finger. Jerry Robinson (option A) really did co-create the Joker and Robin alongside Finger and Kane — he was the third member of the early studio — but the cowl, cape, “Bruce Wayne,” Gotham City and the actual script of Detective Comics #27 were Finger’s. Joe Shuster co-created Superman, not Batman. Otto Binder created Supergirl and Mary Marvel. Finger signed away his byline in 1939 and didn’t receive on-screen credit until 2015.
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Batman: The Movie — released in July 1966 between the first and second seasons of ABC TV series featuring
Sarah Parker is a research analyst and content contributor with a strong interest in business strategy, organizational behavior, and social development. With a background in sociology and public policy, she focuses on exploring the intersection between research and real-world application. Sarah regularly contributes articles that bridge academic insights and practical relevance, aiming to foster critical thinking and innovation across sectors.
