Dave Bautista would be game to play Clayface for a Batman movie

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Ever since it was announced that filmmaker Todd Phillips was teaming up with Joaquin Phoenix for a more grounded take on the Joker, I've been busy making a mental list of other DC villains that could benefit from having their own standalone feature. While there's no shortage of candidates when picking from Batman's extensive rogue's gallery, I can't help but think that the shape-shifting villain Clayface would make for a fine choice. Truth be told, he's one of my favorite Bat-villains of all time. His story is quite tragic, and his ability to shift into any person or mold his body into any weapon makes him a formidable foe and then some. While the concept might not be as "grounded" as Phillips' idea for the Clown Prince of Crime, I think that someone who's far more clever than me could work up a great story featuring the clay-covered character.

Recently, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY and BLADE RUNNER 2049 actor Dave Bautista expressed his enthusiasm to play Matt Hagen aka Clayface, perhaps as part of a future Batman film or standalone film a la Phillips' JOKER. The idea of Bautista playing Clayface came about after a Twitter user by the name of BJMendelson aired his grievances about Phillips' upcoming film, saying that he'd much rather see Bautista act as Clayface than watch Phoenix parade around as the Jester of Genocide.

I don't know about you, but I find Bautista's enthusiasm for playing multiple comic book characters on the big screen refreshing. He's obviously enjoyed his time portraying Drax the Destroyer as part of Marvel and James Gunn's GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY franchise, but who's to say that he can't fit the mold as Clayface as well?

To be clear, Matt Hagen is actually the second person to arrive as Clayface in the DC's comic book universe. The original Clayface went by the name of Basil Karlo, who before becoming the monster we all know and fear, worked as a mediocre actor who was once told by his casting director that he wasn't good enough to get a substantial role. Looking for an edge, Karlo turned to the crime boss Penguin for help. The Penguin offered Basil a hunk of mystical clay, which he claimed would solve Karlo's acting problems, in exchange for the actor's services as a henchman. Basil agreed and was given his unique powers when the clay leaped on him, entered his blood-stream, and rewrote the fabric of his body. (via DC Wikia)

As for the Matt Hagen version: Matthew Hagen was scuba diving for sunken treasure when he found a mysterious pool of protoplasm in a cave. Immersing himself in it by accident, he was transformed into a malleable clay-like form, which could be shaped into almost anything he desired. This was only a temporary effect, however, requiring him to return to the pool periodically in order to maintain use of his powers. This weakness allowed Batman to capture and arrest Hagen. Shortly after, Hagen broke out of prison and decided to investigate the protoplasmic substance that transformed him into Clayface, in order to find a way to prolong his powers. In the meantime, Clayface impersonated wealthy men in Gotham City, which allowed him to learn information for his criminal activities. He was once again confronted by the Dynamic Duo and they managed to capture Clayface using a freezing gun combined with the protoplasmic substance, which they found on Clayface's hideout. Hagen was then returned to prison. (via DC Wikia)

After voicing his interest for playing Clayface, Bautista weighed in on Phillips' upcoming JOKER film:

You already know how I feel about Clayface making his way to the silver screen. But what are your thoughts? Do you think Bautista would do the role justice? Or would you rather see a different villain get their own standalone spin-off? A Scarecrow movie perhaps? Professor Pyg? Mad Hatter? The Ventriloquist? Let us know your suggestions in the comments section below.