Batman is one of the most popular DC superheroes and has been adapted for the big screen multiple times, but the same cannot be said about his archnemesis Clayface. One of the most recent film adaptations of The Caped Crusader is Matt Reeves’ 2022 movie, in which Robert Pattinson plays the titular character.
Several supervillains, such as the Riddler, Carmine Falcone, the Penguin, and Joker, appear in the movie. While the audience enjoyed watching these villains, they could not help but wonder what it would be like to have Clayface on the roster as well. Recently, the make-up designer who worked on the movie, as well as the spin-off The Penguin, said something that seems to imply that Clayface might end up in the sequel of the film.
The Penguin Make-up Artist’s Words Might Mean That Clayface’s Time Has Come
Created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, Clayface is not the typical supervillain. It is more of an alias used by several supervillains. Most of these villains have clay-like bodies and shapeshifting abilities. One thing that they all have in common is their enmity with Batman. The original character was named Basil Karlo and was introduced in Detective Comics #40, published in 1940.
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The character has appeared in TV series like Gotham, and Pennyworth. There have also been animated versions of the character. However, it is yet to be adapted for the big screens, and make-up designer Mike Marino’s words have stirred up speculations about it happening in The Batman – Part II.
Recently, in an interview with Rotten Tomatoes, Marino opened up about which villain he would like to work on next since he has already done Penguin (Colin Farrell) and Joker (Barry Keoghan).
You know, someone like Clayface totally doesn’t look like the way we know him now, this blob of mud and dirt and all that. I think he was originally inspired by Boris Karloff, because his name is so similar in the original iteration of that character.
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Marino is quite passionate about the original version of the villain. He pointed out that Reeves planned to focus on Batman earlier in his vigilante career so this would mean that his work is much like the beginnings of the superhero’s world. So, the Basil Karlo-version of Clayface, which appears in the Detective Comics, is most likely to happen if it does happen.
Will The Penguin Return in The Batman – Part II?
The HBO series centered on Oz’s rise to power in the criminal underworld of Gotham City. As soon as the show premiered, rave reviews began pouring in. It became an instant hit and Colin Farrell‘s performance obviously had a lot to do with it.
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Now that the audience knows how good Oz is, they cannot help wondering whether or not he will return to the sequel of the movie. Luckily, Reeves has confirmed to IGN that Oz will indeed appear in the film, and that too as this newly developed version.
He’ll be entering into the film, and it’s going to be another detective story. It’s going to be another crime mystery. And (Penguin) is a piece of it, for sure, but there is more to it, which we can’t reveal to you, of course, because then we would have to kill you.
Rest assured, Farrell’s version of Penguin will be there in the upcoming film. So, the audience might want to wait patiently to find out what is in store for them than die with incomplete knowledge about the movie.
Frequently asked questions
Why do people think Clayface could appear in The Batman – Part II?
The speculation stems from make-up designer Mike Marino, who worked on both The Batman (2022) and the spin-off series The Penguin. In a Rotten Tomatoes interview, Marino expressed interest in designing Clayface, saying the character “totally doesn’t look like the way we know him now, this blob of mud and dirt.” The article reports that his enthusiasm for the character has fuelled fan speculation about a sequel appearance, though nothing has been officially confirmed.
Who is Clayface and which version might be adapted?
Clayface is a Batman villain created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane. The name functions more as an alias used by several characters, most sharing clay-like bodies, shapeshifting abilities and a rivalry with Batman. The original, Basil Karlo, debuted in Detective Comics #40 in 1940. The article reports that because Matt Reeves focuses on Batman’s early career, the Basil Karlo version would be the most likely iteration if Clayface appears.
Will Colin Farrell’s Penguin return in The Batman – Part II?
Yes. The article reports that Matt Reeves confirmed to IGN that Oz, played by Colin Farrell, will appear in the sequel, carrying over the version developed in the HBO series The Penguin. Reeves described the film as another detective story and crime mystery in which the Penguin is one piece, while declining to reveal further plot details.
