If you’re not up to date on the muddy man-monster, here’s your basic briefing on Clayface as a character.
Created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, the original Clayface, Basil Karlo, appeared in Detective Comics #40, published in June 1940, as a B-list actor who began a life of crime using the identity of a villain that he had portrayed in a horror film.
Kane stated that the character was partially inspired by the 1925 Lon Chaney version of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ and that his name was derived from Boris Karloff and Basil Rathbone.
The Reporter’s sources say the story focuses on an ascending actor (Harries) whose face is disfigured by a gangster. As a last resort, the actor turns to a fringe Elizabeth Holmes-style scientist (Ackie) for help. Minghella will play a Gotham City detective dating Ackie’s character.
Where else can we see Max Minghella?
(L to R) Max Minghella, Olivia Thirlby, Emile Hirsch and Rachael Taylor in ‘The Darkest Hour’. Photo: Summit Entertainment.
He’s also a directed, having made ‘Teen Spirit’ and the upcoming ‘Shell’, which premiered last year at the Toronto International Film Festival and is in cinemas at the end of the week. The film stars Elisabeth Moss, Kate Hudson and Kaia Gerber.
Minghella most recently worked on the fourth season of HBO series ‘Industry’, which should be on screens next year.
When will the Clayface movie be in theaters?
The movie has a scheduled plan for a UK shoot at Leavesden Studios in place, and Warner Bros. and DC Studios are confirming a September 11th, 2026 theatrical release for ‘Clayface’.
(Left) Naomi Ackie stars in ‘Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody.’ (Right) DC Comics’ Clayface. Photo: DC Comics.
Preview:
Naomi Ackie is in talks to join the Clayface movie.
James Watkins is in the director’s chair.
Tom Rhys Harries has the lead role.
As ‘Superman’ continues to do solid business at the box office for James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Studios, attention is turning to the other titles that have been confirmed for their take on the DC Universe.
If you’re not up to date on the muddy man-monster, here’s your basic briefing on Clayface as a character.
Created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, the original Clayface, Basil Karlo, appeared in Detective Comics #40, published in June 1940, as a B-list actor who began a life of crime using the identity of a villain that he had portrayed in a horror film.
Kane stated that the character was partially inspired by the 1925 Lon Chaney version of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’; and that his name was derived from Boris Karloff and Basil Rathbone.
As for the tone of the movie itself, Deadline’s sources have heard that the Clayface movie is rumored to be a horror-thriller-tragedy, with the lead protagonist not expected to be portrayed as the notorious villain he’s usually seen as.
Where else have I seen Naomi Ackie?
Naomi Ackie in Tristar Pictures ‘Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody.’ Photo: Tristar Pictures.
In addition to the aforementioned roles in ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’ and ‘Mickey 17’, Ackie’s star has been on the rise for the last few years.
The movie has a scheduled production plan for a UK shoot at Leavesden Studios in place, and Warner Bros. and DC Studios are confirming a September 11th, 2026 theatrical release for this one.
Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman in ‘The Flash’. Photo: Warner Bros.
Preview:
‘Supergirl’ writer Ana Nogueira will develop a new ‘Wonder Woman’ movie.
It’ll feature a new take on the Amazonian warrior.
DC Studios also has a TV series set on the character’s birth island in development.
As the latest incarnation the DC movie universe takes flight thanks to DC Studios co-chief (and writer/director James Gunn’s ‘Superman’, another big name from the comic company’s ranks is taking a step forward on her own new solo outing.
Ana Nogueira, who wrote next year’s ‘Supergirl’, has now, via The Wrap, been hired to script a Wonder Woman movie.
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The news follows Gunn’s own sentiments on the matter, having dropped word that a Wonder Woman script is in the works.
Milly Alcock on the set of ‘Supergirl’. Photo: James Gunn’s Instagram account.
Nogueira is becoming a popular writer for the DC team. As mentioned, she’s already written ‘Supergirl’, which Craig Gillespie has directed with Milly Alcock starring as Kara Zor-El, Superman’s cousin.
When Gunn and Peter Safran were announced as taking over running Warner Bros.’ DC arm (which would go on to be named DC Studios), there was much speculation about whether any of the actors from the Zack Snyder era, including Gadot and ‘Man of Steel’s Henry Cavill, would stay in their roles.
Despite comments from Gadot that she and Patty Jenkins (who had co-written and directed the previous two standalone Wonder Woman outings) were developing a third movie for the character, the DC Studios duo appeared to be steering more towards a complete refresh of the comic book universe.
Gunn and Safran’s initial outline showed they had other ideas for Diana. When they unveiled their first plans around another Wonder Woman project, ‘Paradise Lost.’
It’s a TV series set on Themyscira, the birthplace of Princess Diana, and described as ‘Game Of Thrones’ with the Amazons. It’s set before Diana is born.
Here’s what Gunn said about the show at the time:
“It’s an origin story of how this society of women came about. What does it mean? What are their politics like? What are their rules? Who’s in charge? What are the games that they play with each other to get to the top? I think it’s really exciting.”
And it would seem that, as with Superman, when and if Wonder Woman does return to big screens, she’ll be played by someone new.
What’s the future for DC Studios?
As mentioned above, Gunn and Safran already have plans in place for an interconnected series of movies and TV series, with ‘Supergirl’ due on June 26th next year, followed by ‘Clayface’ in September the same year and HBO Max series ‘Lanterns’ in production now.
(L to R) Aaron Pierre as John Stewart and Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan in ‘Lanterns’. Photo: John P. Johnson/HBO.
Val Kilmer in ‘Batmen Forever’. Photo: Warner Bros.
Preview:
‘Batman Forever’ has low critic and audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes and is widely considered to be not good.
The movie is better than people give it credit for, as it has some great performances from great actors.
The action sequences are also quite entertaining.
‘Batman Forever‘ is celebrating its 30th Anniversary in 2025, so now is as good a time as any to revisit this classic and point out that it is not as bad as people say it is. The movie is certainly not perfect, by any means, but it has a lot of entertaining moments, unforgettable performances, and great action sequences.
The film takes place in Gotham, featuring two of the most iconic DC villains, Two-Face and Riddler, as they plan to get revenge on Batman. At the same time, Gotham’s hero is struggling with his own identity as he contemplates if he wishes to be Batman forever or if he is ready to hang up the cowl. His love interest, Dr. Chase Meridian, played by Nicole Kidman, is who he turns to for guidance.
‘Batman Forever’ Features Several Unforgettable Performances
Jim Carrey as the Riddler in ‘Batman Forever.’ Photo: Warner Bros.
When an actor plays a superhero, there can be a lot of pressure due to the fact that they have to play two different personas. Val Kilmer does a great job of portraying both Bruce Wayne and Batman, something that isn’t always easy to pull off. Each of them have their own unique mannerisms and personalities, making it believable not everyone around them would immediately know they are the same person. It is a shame that he did not have a good time making the movie, opting not to return, however George Clooney is a great Batman as well, so it was nice to get to see that.
Chris O’Donnell did return for ‘Batman & Robin’, thankfully. He delivers a good performance as Robin, even if he was a bit too old at the time to be believable as the character. This is not his fault, and he does what he can to make himself seem a little more immature and younger than he is, in an effort to make it work.
Tommy Lee Jones is decent as Two-Face, even if some of the writing and his performance is over-the-top. This character may be crazy and psychotic, but he isn’t supposed to be silly. One thing that is noticable during ‘Batman Forever’ is that he tends to re-flip his coin if he does not get the outcome he wants, which is not something the comic book version would do. He prefers everything to be left up to chance – not to say he wouldn’t rig it if he had to.
The standout performance in ‘Batman Forever’ is easily Jim Carrey. He is a character actor for the most part, which really shines in this film. Riddler is cartoonish and over-the-top, which is why Jim Carrey was the perfect choice to play him. This version of Riddler is smart and full of himself, but also more on the energetic and crazy side than we have seen in other movies (for example Paul Dano‘s Riddler in ‘The Batman‘). This Riddler really works for the story being told in ‘Batman Forever’ and is a more comic book accurate version of the character. A truly unforgettable Jim Carrey character.
There Are Great Action Sequences Sprinkled Throughout The Film
Chris O’Donnell as Robin in ‘Batman Forever’. Photo: Warner Bros.
What is a superhero movie without epic action sequences? Nothing.
‘Batman Forever’ thankfully delivers some great action scenes right from the start. There are heists, there are gangs, and of course, there are team-ups. All of these things together create some edge-of-your seat sequences that have you wondering if the good guys will make it out alive. If you don’t feel the stakes in a movie like this, it never really works. Of course, they do survive, but the villains are devious enough to have viewers curious if they will or not.
Allowing Two-Face and Riddler to team-up with one another creates a more dangerous situation for Batman and Robin, but also evens the playing field. These fight scenes are filled with cheesy one liners, but also include well done practical effects, something that is often missed in the industry nowadays.
Say What You Will, ‘Batman Forever’ Is Entertaining
(L to R) Tommy Lee Jones as Two-Face and Jim Carrey as the Riddler in ‘Batman Forever.’ Photo: Warner Bros.
‘Batman Forever’ might not be a perfect movie, but it is far from terrible. It is nrealy impossible to watch this film without laughing and having a good time. Sure, some of the performances are a bit over-the-top, but honestly, that is the point. This is a superhero movie that opted to lean more into the ridiculous and silly side of things, while still delivering some more grounded, epic action sequences.
‘Batman Forever’ is not a movie that takes itself too seriously. In fact, it almost never takes itself seriously, which is the fun of it all. It takes the quirkiness of the 1966 series and dials it up to eleven. If you want to simply have a good time watching a movie, now is the perfect time to revisit this one.
(L to R) Val Kilmer and Nicole Kidman in ‘Batmen Forever’. Photo: Warner Bros.
DC Comics’ Supergirl from writer Tom King’s ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.’ Photo courtesy of DC.com.
Preview:
‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’ will now simply be known as ‘Supergirl’.
DC Studios boss James Gunn confirmed the title change.
Milly Alcock is starring in the movie.
As with DC Studios boss James Gunn and his upcoming ‘Superman’, follow-up film ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’ is undergoing a name change.
Gunn changed ‘Superman’ to simply the character’s name, and ‘Supergirl’ is likewise losing the subtitle
The movie, which adapts Tom King’s comic, has Milly Alcock playing Kara Zor-El (cousin of Superman) and Craig Gillespie in the director’s chair. It has wrapped shooting in the UK for a 2026 release.
“I’m always cutting. “Legacy” was really — we do something called a premortem. A premortem is you get together with your group that’s doing the project. It’s usually about a couple months before shooting, and you go, hypothetically, ‘If it’s an epic disaster, what are the things that we’re doing today that are going to cause it to be an epic disaster? Everyone here can speak freely.’ One of the things I brought up was, it was called ‘Superman: Legacy’. Even though I was the one that gave it that title, I just wasn’t sure. First of all, I’m sick of the superhero title, colon, other-name thing. And then also it seemed to be looking back when we’re looking forward, even though it does have to do with legacy in the movie itself. And everybody was like, ‘Oh, yeah, no, change it.’
DC Comics’ Supergirl from writer Tom King’s ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.’ Photo courtesy of DC.com.
While the exact storyline for ‘Supergirl’ has yet to be confirmed, we do know it’ll be a big-scale sci-fi film based on King and Bilquis Evely’s comic run. It features a “darker, harsher” version of Kara raised on a surviving chunk of Krypton who sees everyone around her die. And it’ll see her helping a young alien who is seeking vengeance for the death of her own family.
This is what Gunn said at the time of his big DC Studios announcement:
“This is a very different type of Supergirl. In our film, we see the difference between Superman, who was sent to Earth and raised by loving parents from, you know, the time he’s an infant, versus Supergirl, who was raised on a rock chip-off of Krypton and watched everyone around her die and be killed in terrible ways for the first 14 years of her life, and then came to Earth when she was a young girl and is much more hardcore. She’s not exactly the Supergirl we’re used to seeing.”
Who else is in the cast for ‘Supergirl’?
Jason Momoa arriving for the Amazon Upfront on May 13th, 2025. Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for Amazon.
And not forgetting Jason Momoa, who has form with the previous incarnation of the DC movie universe (he played Aquaman, in case you forgot), who will be intergalactic bounty hunter Lobo.
When will ‘Supergirl’ be in theaters?
‘Supergirl’ is one of the few DC Studios projects to have an actual release date and is scheduled for June 26th, 2026.
(Left) Elizabeth Henstridge and Tom Rhys Harries in ‘Suspicion’, now streaming on Apple TV+. (Right) DC Comics’ Clayface. Photo: DC Comics.
Preview:
Tom Rhys Harries has won the lead in the Clayface movie.
James Watkins is in the director’s chair.
The movie is set for a September 2026 release date.
With the current cinematic incarnation of DC Studios, run by James Gunn and Peter Safran launching with Gunn’s take on the Man of Steel, another developing movie from the company took a positive step forward by narrowing in on its lead.
If you’re not up to date on the muddy man-monster, here’s your basic briefing on Clayface as a character.
Created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, the original Clayface, Basil Karlo, appeared in Detective Comics #40, published in June 1940, as a B-list actor who began a life of crime using the identity of a villain that he had portrayed in a horror film.
Kane stated that the character was partially inspired by the 1925 Lon Chaney version of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’; and that his name was derived from Boris Karloff and Basil Rathbone.
The character only appeared twice in the Golden Age but was the inspiration for the shape-shifting Silver Age version. And, as is usual in comic books, the name has been used for a number of similar takes on the character.
In the late 1950s, Batman began facing a series of science fiction-inspired foes, including Matthew Hagen, a treasure hunter given vast shapeshifting powers and resiliency by exposure to a pool of radioactive protoplasm, who became the second Clayface. He retained the title for the next couple of decades of comic book history.
In the late 1970s, Preston Payne became the third Clayface. A scientist suffering from hyperpituitarism, Preston Payne used the second Clayface’s blood to create a cure for his condition, but instead became a clay-like creature that needed to pass his new condition on to others to survive.
Sondra Fuller of Strike Force Kobra used the terrorist group’s technology to become the fourth Clayface, also known as Lady Clay. She formed the Mud Pack with the original and third Clayfaces. During this era, the original Clayface used the DNA of Payne and Fuller to become the Ultimate Clayface (talk about bragging!)
Sometime after the Mud Pack event, Payne and Fuller had a son named Cassius “Clay” Payne, who, as the fifth Clayface, also had metahuman shapeshifting powers.
That’s just a selection of the character’s alternates, who have appeared over the years in various films, series, animated works, video games and other forms of media.
Gunn and Safran have previously said that actors who play roles in the animated sphere for their DC Studios will also take on the live-action version, but we don’t know if that means Tudyk will return for the movie.
As for the tone of the movie, Deadline’s sources have heard that the Clayface movie is rumored to be a horror-thriller-tragedy, with the lead protagonist not expected to be portrayed as the notorious villain he’s usually seen as.
Where else have I seen Tom Rhys Harries?
(L to R) Kunal Nayyar and Tom Rhys-Harries in ‘Suspicion’, now streaming on Apple TV+.
Gunn’s big re-launch of DC-based movies kicks off next month with the launch of the aforementioned ‘Superman,’ featuring David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Supes and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. It’ll be in theaters on July 11th.
Batman, as played by Robert Pattinson in Matt Reeves’ ‘The Batman’ is staying around (a sequel, despite delays, is still being scripted), but he’s as part of the extended “Elseworlds” stories, which exist outside of the DC continuity.
Gunn and Safran’s original announcement also included mention that ‘Batman: The Brave And The Bold’, was in development, adapting Grant Morrison’s run comics run.
It features yet another Bruce Wayne who tries to keep his son, Damien Wayne, in line as Robin. It’s intended to launch the “Bat-family” into the movie universe, but has been hit with scripting issues and delays.
Finally, we have ‘Dynamic Duo’ — an animated feature about Batman’s Robin sidekicks Dick Grayson and Jason Todd — which is tentatively scheduled for June 2028.
“We have to treat every project as if we’re lucky. We don’t have the mandate to have a certain amount of movies and TV shows every year. So we’re going to put out everything that we think is of the highest quality. We’re obviously going to do some good things and some not-so-good things, but hopefully on average everything will be as high-quality as possible. Nothing goes before there’s a screenplay that I personally am happy with.”
When will the Clayface movie be in theaters?
With a director and star now aboard, and production plans for a UK shoot at Leavesden Studios in place, Warner Bros. and DC Studios are confirming a September 11th, 2026 release for this one.
(L to R) James McAvoy (as Dalton) and Director James Watkins on the set of ‘Speak No Evil’.
Katherine McNamara on ‘Arrow’ season 8. Photo: Warner Bros.
Preview:
Actress Katherine McNamara discusses her role in ‘Arrow’ season 8 and ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’
McNamara also talked about the failed pilot for ‘Green Arrow and The Canaries’ and why it was not picked up for series
Will we ever find out who abducted William Clayton? And what other storylines would have been explored in the spinoff?
And if she would want to reprise her role in James Gunn’s DC Universe
After eight successful seasons and launching the ‘Arrowverse’ series of TV shows, the flagship DC Comics series ‘Arrow’ ended in 2020 after the very successful crossover event ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’.
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Through a complicated time traveling plotline, Oliver Queen’s (Stephen Amell) adult daughter Mia Smoak played by actress Katherine McNamara was introduced in ‘Arrow’s final season and participated in ‘Crisis’. With the show ending, the idea was to spinoff McNamara’s character with her own series entitled ‘Green Arrow and The Canaries’, which would have seen Mia take on her father’s superhero mantle, alongside Katie Cassidy and Juliana Harkavy, reprising their roles from ‘Arrow’.
In fact, the penultimate episode of the final season of ‘Arrow’ was a backdoor pilot to ‘Green Arrow and The Canaries’, entitled ‘Livin’ in the Future’, which took place twenty years after the finale of ‘Arrow’. The episode features a future timeline where Mia never becomes the Green Arrow, but after a time displaced Dinah Drake (Harkavy) restores Mia’s memories of the other timeline, she takes on her father’s superhero identity to stop a new Deathstroke, who may or may not be her fiancé, John Diggle Jr. (Charlie Barnett). The episode ends on a cliffhanger, where Mia’s brother, William Clayton (Ben Lewis), is mysteriously abducted.
However, the series was ultimately not picked up because of COVID, or possibly James Gunntaking over DC Studios and effectively ending the ‘Arrowverse’ and any DC TV show not connected to his future-plans. While McNamara did reprise her role as Mia briefly in the final season of ‘The Flash’, she was still looking for her brother, and ultimately no satisfying conclusion to that storyline was given.
Katherine McNamara in ‘High Ground’. Photo: Republic Pictures.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with actress Katherine McNamara about her work on ‘High Ground,’ which was directed by ‘Arrow’ alum James Bamford and will be available to buy on digital beginning March 18th.
In addition to ‘High Ground’, we also spoke to McNamara about joining the final season of ‘Arrow’, her involvement in the groundbreaking ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’ crossover, why ‘Green Arrow and The Canaries’ did not go to series, what that show’s storyline would have been, reprising her role in the final season of ‘The Flash’, and if she would want to return to the role in James Gunn’s new DC Universe.
(L to R) Katherine McNamara and Stephen Amell on ‘Arrow’ season 8. Photo: Warner Bros.
To begin with, McNamara discussed what it was like to join ‘Arrow’ for the final season and be a part of the ‘Arrowverse’ of TV shows.
“I’d obviously seen how beloved Oliver and Felicity as individual characters were, but also as a couple. When I auditioned, I had no idea that that is the character I was auditioning for. I didn’t know until after I was cast. Suddenly, I got this news that I was the human product of Oliver and Felicity, and I’m going, “Oh, I have big shoes to fill. All right, let’s see.” It was amazing, because obviously Stephen Amell and Emily Bett Rickards did such incredible work on that show and had seven seasons at that point of rich character work.”
McNamara also talked about her research and approach to playing the role.
“I watched the whole series, and I was able to kind of cherry pick different qualities, good and bad of each of their characters, and mush them together to create Mia. Taking Felicity’s sense of humor and Oliver’s walk and his propensity to have a short temper, but also her mother’s strategy, and being able to blend those things together to create this new character that the writers gave such a beautiful, twisted, deep story to. I couldn’t have asked for anything more. “
Making ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’
‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’. Photo: Warner Bros.
The ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’ event featured the first-time fans got a glimpse of Mia in her Green Arrow uniform, and McNamara talked about that process and shooting the crossover.
“I mean, that crossover episode series, I was pinching myself the entire time. It was the first time I got to wear my super suit, which we had spent months and months designing. Our costume designer, Brie Thorpe, and Ocean Drive Leather who made all the suits for all the shows, by the way, they’re insanely talented, those folks over there. But they took such care in crafting me a suit down to the fabric it’s made of, which is this thing called Euro jersey. But they made a special fabric for Mia’s suit that. It was this dark green, but it had little teeny tiny arrows on it. Nobody would ever be able to see it except for me, but it meant so much that they had put that level of detail and thought into crafting her suit. We redesigned the mask to be more like the comics as opposed to what we’d had on the show for years to kind of differentiate Mia. But, even in just being a part of such a legacy of television was a huge honor.”
What happened to ‘Green Arrow and the Canaries’?
(L to R) Juliana Harkavy, Katherine McNamara and Katie Cassidy on ‘Arrow’ season 8. Photo: Warner Bros.
McNamara also discussed making the ‘Green Arrow and The Canaries’ backdoor pilot episode that aired before the finale of ‘Arrow’.
“We did a pilot for a spinoff, and I would’ve loved to continue that had the pandemic not gotten in the way. But I was grateful to have been brought back on several of the other shows over the years just to put the suit on again, as it were.”
We followed up to ask her if the pandemic was the entire reason that the proposed series was not picked up, or if it may have also had to do with James Gunn’s takeover of DC Studios.
“As far as I know, that’s what I heard. But who knows in the end? But that’s what I was told, and it is sad, because I know all of us really were looking forward to continuing the show and continuing to be a part of the ‘Arrowverse’. But maybe there’s a world somewhere. I just want to find my brother. That’s the thing.”
Finding Closure on ‘The Flash’
(L to R) Brandon Routh, Grant Gustin, Candice Patton, Chyler Leigh, Katherine McNamara, Cress Williams, and Javicia Leslie in season 9 of ‘The Flash’. Photo: Warner Bros.
McNamara did reprise her role in the final season of ‘The Flash’, but while William’s abduction was mentioned, no true conclusion to that storyline was given. We asked the actress if she felt like that episode of ‘Flash’ gave her and her character closure.
“A little bit. But I feel like at this point, it’s either (William’s) superhero or super villain origin story, and I want to see that come to fruition in some universe someday.”
What was the storyline going to be on ‘Green Arrow and The Canaries’?
Katherine McNamara on ‘Arrow’ season 8. Photo: Warner Bros.
We followed up by asking the actress if she was ever told the plot for the first season of ‘Green Arrow and the Canaries’.
“I do know some secrets, but I promised I would never share them. It was good. I remember I was sitting in the airport flying back from Vancouver one day when the two writers that were working on the spin-off called me and told me everything. I was just in the airport lounge bawling because it was so amazing and beyond my wildest dreams and one of the most beautiful but twisted, but insanely action-packed setups for a series. One more thing that’s just lost to television time.”
Could Mia Smoak return in James Gunn’s DC Universe?
James Gunn in ‘Superpowered: The DC Story.’ Photograph by Courtesy of Max/Warner Bros.
Finally, we asked McNamara if she would be willing to reprise her role as Green Arrow in a future DC Studios’ project if she were to get a call from James Gunn.
“I’m a big fan, so I am down. If he wants the Green Arrow in the movie verse of DC, I volunteer as tribute.”
Colin Farrell is circling the lead in ‘Sgt. Rock.’
Luca Guadagnino is attached to direct the movie for DC Studios.
Daniel Craig was previously considering the idea.
It looks like it’s all change in the ranks for ‘Sgt. Rock,’ though depending on who you believe, not such a big change.
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While word arrived back in November that Daniel Craig was looking to reunite with his ‘Queer’ director Luca Guadagnino for a very different project –– the adaptation of the militaristic DC Comics title –– there have been conflicting reports of how far Craig got in the process.
DC Studios co-chief James Gunn, for example, shot down the idea that the actor was actively in consideration, merely that he was floated as a potential lead.
Here’s what Gunn and co-president Peter Safran said recently:
“You know, we never met with Daniel. We never really even announced ‘Sgt. Rock.’ ”
Still, it would appear that the process of finding a main man for the ‘Rock’ role has been ongoing no matter what the DC bosses say, and Deadline reports that Colin Farrell is now circling the part.
Farrell, of course, is fresh off of winning a clutch of awards for another DC-related project, the TV spin-off of ‘The Batman’ called ‘The Penguin,’ focused on the criminal character.
According to Deadline’s sources, he’s looking to board ‘Sgt. Rock’ but will first have to figure out his busy schedule (more on that below).
Created by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert, the character first debuted in the 1959 DC issue ‘Our Army at War’ as a WWII soldier who served in the infantry. The character gained steam in 1977 when he received his own comic book series; it ran until July 1988.
Rock’s talent includes shooting down German fighter planes with a single submachine gun and tossing grenades with great accuracy. When he’s without a gun, he’s a great street fighter, and can survive gunshots. He’s a calm guy with heart, but also has a “combat antenna” able to detect an incoming enemy siege. There was also a toy series in the 1980s for Sgt. Rock around the time G.I. Joe was soaring in comic books and on TV.
Who else is working on ‘Sgt. Rock’?
Director Luca Guadagnino attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Amazon MGM Studios’ ‘Challengers’ at Regency Village Theatre on April 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Amazon MGM Studios.
Though Craig is not reuniting with Guadagnino for this new project, the director has recruited someone he’s worked with before: screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes. Which, given that he collaborated with the director on both tennis love triangle drama ‘Challengers’ and the Craig-starring William S. Boroughs ‘Queer’ suggests this is coming together quickly.
And the prolific director has been busy –– he already has Amazon MGM Studios’ Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield thriller ‘After the Hunt’ making its way through post-production release later this year on October 10th.
What else is Colin Farrell working on?
Colin Farrell as Oswald “Oz” Cobb in Max’s ‘The Penguin.’ Photo: Macall Polay/HBO.
Farrell, is, of course, an actor in demand, and he has a few projects lined up in the coming months.
He’ll be filming the second season of twisty Apple TV+ drama ‘Sugar’ this year.
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Plus, assuming he’s ready to put himself back into the prosthetics for the character –– something he’s said he definitely needs time away from –– Farrell may well be preparing for a new season of ‘The Penguin.’ There’s also the chance he’ll be back in for ‘The Batman’ sequel.
The story for that one follows a high-stakes gambler who decides to lay low in Macau after his past and debts catch up with him. Along the way he encounters a kindred spirit who might just hold the key to his salvation.
Production Asia occurred last summer, with Rowan Joffe adapting the script based on the novel by Lawrence Osborne.
Beyond that, the picture is murkier despite a big confident announcement from Gunn and Safran. A movie based on Batman villain Clayface is in development and recently landed ‘Speak No Evil’ director James Watkins to call the shots.
Batman himself is likely to return in ‘The Brave and the Bold,’ but that has experienced some scripting and director delay issues.
On the small screen, things are healthier, with the likes of the animated ‘Creature Commandos’ already out and a new season of ‘Peacemaker’ on the way. We also know that ‘Green Lantern’-based series ‘Lanterns’ is now filming.
When will ‘Sgt. Rock’ be on screens?
With no official commitment to the movie yet, there is zero information about a release date for the movie at this time.
(L to R) Aaron Pierre as John Stewart and Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan in ‘Lanterns’. Photo: John P. Johnson/HBO.
Preview:
The first image of HBO series ‘Lanterns’ is online.
This new series adapts the ‘Green Lantern’ DC Comics, but in grounded fashion.
Leads Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler feature in this initial look.
The ‘Green Lantern’ comics are famously the story of a human drawn into a mighty, galaxy-spanning force who use rings with the power to conjure up all manner of creations in their fight for justice.
You might be surprised then, to learn that the latest small screen incarnation of the story has an initial promotional image featuring two men walking down a dusty road somewhere in America.
Yet if you’ve been following the production history of new HBO/DC Studios series ‘Lanterns,’ you probably won’t be shocked, since the show is designed to be a more grounded take on the story.
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Here’s Chris Mundy, executive producer and showrunner on the tone for the show:
“From the start, our driving force has been to deliver a layered drama –– rooted in nuanced storytelling and rich world building –– that balances tension and mystery with honest, authentic emotion. The goal is to create something that feels timeless and grounded without sacrificing the magic of the source material.”
Let’s not also forget that the cameras have only just started rolling on the show, and even if (more likely when) the characters get to use their powers in service of the mystery, those visual effects take time to bring to screen, even for a still image.
What’s the story of ‘Green Lantern’ in comics form?
Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps from DC Comics. Photo: DC Comics.
Created in its first incarnation (a Lantern named Alan Scott) in 1940 by Martin Nodell and Bill Finger, the concept of the ‘Green Lantern’ comics is that of a super-powered, police force, battling evil doers with rings that allow them to channel energy into different forms. There are many Lanterns, who patrol the known and unknown universe.
‘Green Lantern’s history on screen has been seriously mixed. Though different takes on the character have flourished in animated movies and series, their live-action counterparts have had less luck. Ryan Reynolds played the Hal Jordan version in a 2011 movie that didn’t triumph at the box office, and there have been fleeting glimpses on the small screen.
Even Zack Snyder didn’t manage to realize his chosen Lantern –– John Stewart –– in his mammoth Snyder Cut of ‘Justice League’. Despite shooting a cameo with Wayne T. Carr as Stewart, Warners asked him to remove the character because of the studio’s own plans. In the end, Snyder swapped in Martian Manhunter.
(Center) James Gunn and the cast of ‘Superman.’ Photo: James Gunn’s Instagram Account.
And the show had been in development before Gunn and Safran made their big DC Studios announcement. Back in 2020, ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’ Seth Grahame-Smith hopped aboard to write and run what HBO Max (as the streaming service was then called) was picturing its most expensive series to date, a space-set ‘Green Lantern’ drama whose focus would be the Alan Scott and Guy Gardner iterations of the character among the first and most popular versions.
‘Lanterns’ will follow the Hal Jordan (Chandler) and John Stewart (Pierre) characters, as new recruit Stewart and Lantern legend Jordan are described in the latest official synopsis as “two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.”
So, think ‘True Detective’ meets ‘Green Lantern’. But comic book fans may recognize the basic story from the popular 1970’s arc ‘Hard Traveling Heroes’, which focused on Hal Jordan and his friend Oliver Queen (Green Arrow) traveling across America . Stewart was also featured in that story, and the producers are likely swapping out Queen for Pierre’s character.
But there will be some powerful antagonism involved, as Ulrich Thomsen is playing Sinestro a former Green Lantern who turned rogue and is described as ruthless yet charming.
His manipulative nature drives his enduring obsession with his former mentee, Hal Jordan. The character was created by John Broome and Gil Kane and first appeared in the comic book “Green Lantern, Volume 2, #56” released in 1961.
DC Comics’ Green Lantern John Stewart. Photo: DC Comics.
Mundy, whose resume includes stints on Netflix’s ‘Ozark’ and HBO’s ‘True Detective: Night Country’, is running the new series, working alongside ‘Watchmen’s Damon Lindelof and DC comics writer Tom King (whose ‘Supergirl’ comic is the basis for the new movie featuring the character).
He’s not alone –– ‘Watchmen’ veteran Stephen Williams, ‘Under the Bridge’s Geeta Vasant Patel, and former ‘Ozark’ director Alik Sakharov are also handling episodes.
Since they oversee the whole DC Studios arm, filmmaker Gunn and producer Peter Safran are executive producers alongside Ron Schmidt.
When will ‘Lanterns’ be on screens?
We’re still waiting to learn when HBO will premiere the show, though it is reportedly targeting an early 2026 launch.
All together now, let us recite the freshly amended Lantern Corps oath… “In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil’s might beware my power…Green Lantern’s light! On Earth. Probably in a diner.”
DC Comics’ Hal Jordan/Green Lantern. Photo courtesy of DC.com.
(Left) Director James Watkins on the set of ‘Speak No Evil’. (Right) DC Comics’ Clayface. Photo: DC Comics.
Preview:
James Watkins will direct the ‘Clayface’ movie for Warner Bros.
Mike Flanagan wrote the script.
The movie would land in theaters in 2026.
With its revamped cinematic universe set to take flight this July with James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ (and with ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’ in the works from Craig Gillespie as a follow-up), DC Studios –– run by Gunn alongside Peter Safran –– is making moves to hire another filmmaker.
Yet while he’s long accomplished as both a writer and director, he wasn’t expected to take up the main job on the Clayface movie, since he has commitments elsewhere, including to Universal’s continuing ‘Exorcist’ franchise.
But though DC Studios and parent company Warner Bros. have already been putting feelers (presumably dripping with clay) out about potential casting, the sharper focus has been on finding a director to bring Flanagan’s script to life.
According to the Reporter’s sources, DC co-chief Gunn met with Watkins last Thursday for a final presentation that led to the nod. But that’s just one stage –– a deal for Watkins to handle the movie will now be hammered out.
If you’re not up to date on the muddy man-monster, here’s your basic briefing on Clayface as a character.
Created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, the original Clayface, Basil Karlo, appeared in Detective Comics #40, published in June 1940, as a B-list actor who began a life of crime using the identity of a villain that he had portrayed in a horror film.
Kane stated that the character was partially inspired by the 1925 Lon Chaney version of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’; and that his name was derived from Boris Karloff and Basil Rathbone.
The character only appeared twice in the Golden Age but was the inspiration for the shape-shifting Silver Age version. And, as is usual in comic books, the name has been used for a number of similar takes on the character.
In the late 1950s, Batman began facing a series of science fiction-inspired foes, including Matthew Hagen, a treasure hunter given vast shapeshifting powers and resiliency by exposure to a pool of radioactive protoplasm, who became the second Clayface. He retained the title for the next couple of decades of comic book history.
In the late 1970s, Preston Payne became the third Clayface. A scientist suffering from hyperpituitarism, Preston Payne used the second Clayface’s blood to create a cure for his condition, but instead became a clay-like creature that needed to pass his new condition on to others to survive.
Sondra Fuller of Strike Force Kobra used the terrorist group’s technology to become the fourth Clayface, also known as Lady Clay. She formed the Mud Pack with the original and third Clayfaces. During this era, the original Clayface used the DNA of Payne and Fuller to become the Ultimate Clayface (talk about bragging!)
Sometime after the Mud Pack event, Payne and Fuller had a son named Cassius “Clay” Payne, who, as the fifth Clayface, also had metahuman shapeshifting powers.
That’s just a selection of the character’s alternates, who have appeared over the years in various films, series, animated works, video games and other forms of media.
Gunn and Safran have previously said that actors who play roles in the animated sphere for their DC Studios will also take on the live-action version, but we don’t know if that means Tudyk will return for the movie.
As for the tone of the movie, Deadline’s sources have heard that the Clayface movie is rumored to be a horror-thriller-tragedy, with the lead protagonist not expected to be portrayed as the notorious villain he’s usually seen as.
What else has Watkins worked on?
(L to R) Director James Watkins and Mackenzie Davis (as Louise Dalton) on the set of ‘Speak No Evil’.
In addition to ‘Speak No Evil,’ (which made more than $76 million at the worldwide box office on a $15 million budget), Watkins has a history with horror on the big screen and drama on TV.
On the small screen, he co-created the crime drama ‘McMafia,’ and directed episodes of ‘Black Mirror’ and 2022’s TV take on ‘The Ipcress File.’
When will the Clayface movie be in theaters?
This is one directing deal that will need to come together quickly –– Warner Bros. has already handed out a September 11th, 2026 release date for the movie, so Watkins will likely be putting the pieces together and rolling cameras this year.
(L to R) Alix West Lefler (as Agnes Dalton), Mackenzie Davis (as Louise Dalton), Scoot McNairy (as Ben Dalton), Director James Watkins and Aisling Franciosi (as Ciara) on the set of ‘Speak No Evil’.
