The Case for Clayface

Clayface in, surprisingly enough, one of his happier moods.

Over the last few weeks I've been running through possible villains for 'DKR' with one common theme: realism. Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, The Clock King, and Bane are all realistic villain choices for a Nolan-style Batman film.

But what about an unconventional, more fantastical villain? Why not one that breaks the mold (literally) previously set by Joker, Two-Face, Ras al Ghul, and Scarecrow?

Why not the former actor turned shape-shifter, Clayface?

Basil Karlo, or Matt Hagen, depending on which version you prefer, has donned the Clayface title since the 50s when he first tangled with the Batman. He, like Mr. Freeze, became one of Batman's reoccurring sci-fi foes.

Perhaps most famously, Clayface appeared in the cleverly titled "Feat of Clay" in Batman: The Animated Series, voiced by 'Hellboy' aka Ron Perlman. BTAS depicted his origin as a B-Movie actor long past his prime who becomes disfigured in an accident. A new chemical called RenuYou allows him to mold his face back to its ruggedly handsome proportions, a feat plastic surgery would take "decades to accomplish." The catch? RenuYou is highly addictive, and its creator, Roland Daggett, makes Hagen commit crimes in exchange for more of the compound. One night, caught stealing RenuYou from the factory, Hagen is doused in the chemical by Daggett's goons. This soaks every cell in his body with the strange chemical, and gives him the power to shape shift at will. Clayface first attempts to kill Daggett with his new powers, but runs afoul of Batman.

While the plot from "Feat of Clay" is probably a little too far-fetched for Nolan's Batman, it still harbors similar themes. Clayface is a sympathetic villain driven mad by his disfigurement who eventually abuses his new powers as a criminal. Batman is also a villain of sorts, often bending the line between good and evil in his quest to thwart Gotham's worst criminals. Both have dual identities, but favor the side of them that involves indulging in violent, dangerous behavior. Most importantly, both are seeking some kind of redemptive solution to their lives. Batman doesn't want to have to continue acting as Gotham's Dark Knight, and Hagen really just wants his old life back. Both are ultimately victims of extraordinary circumstances that have altered their lives completely, and have chosen to react by taking on strange new identities.

"What do you mean my health insurance doesn't cover deformity caused by clay?"

But, could Clayface work in Nolan's Batman? Yes. Very well, actually. It's already established in 'Batman Begins' that strange, sci-fi type chemicals exist in Scarecrow's fear serum. It wouldn't be much a stretch to introduce a new elixir that can turn one's face into puddy. As a matter of fact, odd chemicals seem to be a reoccurring prop in many Batman stories. There's the green sludge that turns an ordinary thief into the Joker, the fear toxin, and the renewing properties of the Lazarus Pit.

Speaking of the Lazarus Pit, this brings me to how Clayface can bring in Talia al Ghul, who is a possible villain in 'DKR.' You could have the chemical that turns Matt Hagen into Clayface as a derivative of the mystic waters of the Pit. Investigating its source could lead Batman full circle back to al Ghul's hideout, where Talia lies in wait to get revenge for her father's death.

But ignoring Talia for now, Clayface could also simply be a criminal who can alter his appearance at will without the ability to turn his arms into giant mace clubs. That would make him more realistic while still keeping with the sci-fi vibe. As the movie progress, Clayface would of course become more addicted to the serum, leading him into bigger crimes, while also gaining more shape-shifting power. Eventually, you'd have a showdown between him and Batman, where Hagen might have to choose between facing justice but saving himself, or continuing on as a powerful freak addicted to the chemical that makes him Clayface.

Or, Clayface could actually be a full-fledged monster as he is shown in the comics and cartoons. We don't often see shape-shifters in movies anymore--the last decent one was probably the T-1000 from 'Terminator 2'--but when they're done right they make for excellent antagonists. It's tempting to dismiss Clayface as too far-fetched, but maybe that's what a third Batman film needs. Ras al Ghul exhibited a kind of supernatural mystique in 'Begins,' while 'Dark Knight' went the route of an action thriller in the mold of 'Heat.' So, this would be a returning to form for 'Dark Knight Rises.'

And besides, I don't know about you, but there's always been something especially creepy about 'Clayface.' The yellow eyes. The cavernous mouth. The dripping appendages. He probably belongs in a horror movie, yet he makes a unique and frightening opponent for the Dark Knight. Could he work as a foe in 'DKR'? It would require a lot of tweaking, but I'd say enthusiastically, yes.