Clayface Director James Watkins on the Importance of Practical Effects and Making a Comic Book Movie that Delivers on the Horror [Interview]

We’re just two days away from James Watkins‘ (Eden Lake) comic book horror movie, Clayface. The move marks a big swing for DC Studios, led by James Gunn (Slither). One that intends to deliver a true horror movie, unlike previous comic book films that began as horror and then chickened out. Looking at you, Venom.

Watkins, well-versed in unleashing brutal tales of terror through Eden Lake and the Speak No Evil remake, joined Dread recently to discuss doing just that.

For those who don’t recall, master of horror Mike Flanagan (Doctor Sleep) wrote the initial draft of Clayface and intended to direct it before getting wrapped up in other projects. Watkins recalls being struck by the crushing tone of the script, offering that Flanagan “wrote it as a tragedy in three acts. It’s the journey of Matt (Tom Rhys Harries) from one place to another, where he ends up in heartbreak.”

Indeed, the story of an actor disfigured by goons and left with a monstrous appearance is ripe for a tragic tale of revenge. And with Matt’s disfigurement, as well as his gradual transformation into Clayface, comes plenty of opportunity for horror…and gruesome effects. Going in, Watkins understood exactly how important practical makeup would be for a film like this.

Said Watkins, “There’s something about doing it for real in camera. It’s stronger. Actors are in the moment. They’re responding to something real. I think that applies generally. Talk to any actor about acting on location or in a green screen environment, and they’d rather be on location. They’re responding to real things, real cues. Doing it for real, the sense of the feeling of the prosthetics would affect Tom’s performance, it would affect Naomi’s performance, you know? You’re building upon something real.”

One of a few practical moments that stands out in the film comes during a scene on a plane where Matt finds fleshy strands covering his eyes and must cut through them to see again. “It was a standout scene in the script. Shooting that in terms of practical effects…I could tell it was working on set because people were looking away from the monitor and going, ‘oh my god’. It’s old school the way we shot it. In fact, for the close-ups, Legacy created a massive eye and a massive pair of scissors.“

Trust me when I say, using practical effects for that scene pays off big time.

Of course, the thing I’m sure you’re all wondering is…how scary is Clayface? Well, Watkins wants to assure you all, this is a horror movie in every sense of the word. “People have said to me, oh, we’re worried that this film’s going to wimp out, and it’s not going to deliver on the horror. Trust me, the film delivers on the horror. If you buy a ticket for this film, you will get a ride. You will get a roller coaster. It will go to dark places.“

So, those of you worried that Clayface isn’t actually a horror movie, you can put those fears to rest. Effective or not, Watkins aimed to unleash a legit body horror film. And in just two more days, you’ll finally get a look at the “face of fear” that is Clayface.

In Clayface, Tom Rhys Harries stars as Matt Hagen, whose rise from Gotham street kid to Hollywood leading man ends when a crime boss leaves him horribly disfigured. An experimental treatment restores his appearance but begins affecting his grip on reality, sending him down a destructive path of revenge.

James Watkins (Speak No Evil, The Woman in Black) directs from a screenplay by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, based on a story by Flanagan. Naomi Ackie (Blink Twice), Max Minghella (Spiral: From the Book of Saw), David Dencik, and Eddie Marsan also star.

As we previously reported, the MPA rated Clayface R for “strong bloody violence, gore, language, some nudity and brief drug use.”

Clayface oozes into theaters on October 23rd.

(This interview has been edited for time and clarity)

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