CLAYFACE Director Reveals Why the DCU Horror Hit Might Not Get a Sequel

DC Studios has found somewhat of a winner with Clayface, but fans hoping to see the Batman villain return for a sequel might want to keep their expectations in check. Director James Watkins has made it clear that he never approached the DCU horror movie with a follow-up in mind. As the DCU's first R-rated horror film, Clayface has managed to stand out from the usual superhero fare. The movie currently holds a 76% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, while audiences have given it an impressive 94%. That's a pretty strong response for a film centered on one of Batman's more disturbing villains. Naturally, those numbers have raised questions about whether DC Studios will bring the character back for another movie. However, Watkins seems perfectly happy with Clayface being a one-and-done story. During a recent interview with Variety, the filmmaker was asked what the future holds for the character, and his answer makes it sound like a sequel was never really part of his plan. Watkins explained: “That’s a question for James Gunn. I liked the standalone nature of it. I liked how it felt like it introduced a character. But I wasn’t trying to introduce the character to go, ‘Okay, what next?’ I was trying to introduce the character as a full meal in itself.” These days, superhero films are often expected to lead directly into another adventure, introduce new characters, or tease the next big crossover. Watkins simply wanted to tell a complete story about Clayface without worrying about what might come afterward. Of course, that doesn't mean we've seen the last of the character. The decision ultimately rests with DC Studios co-head James Gunn, who could bring Clayface back in another movie, a DCU television series, or even a future Batman project. Considering the film's strong audience score, bringing the villain back certainly wouldn't be a crazy idea. Clayface has connected with viewers despite its mixed critical reception, and that's something DC Studios could potentially build on as its shared universe continues to grow. At the same time, not every successful comic book movie needs a sequel. Sometimes telling one great story and leaving it alone is the smarter move, especially when the original filmmaker feels he's already delivered everything he wanted to explore. For now Watkins isn’t pushing for a sequel. Whether Gunn decides to revisit the character or let the movie stand on its own remains to be seen. Personally, I like the idea of Clayface continuing to exist somewhere in the DCU without necessarily getting another solo film. He's a character who could easily turn up in a Batman story down the road, and that might be a more interesting way to bring him back.