Clayface is rumored to be The Batman - Part II's villain, and here is a guide to his origin and powers from the comics. Matt Reeves teased that Joker (Barry Keoghan) could be who Robert Pattinson's Batman fights next after The Batman, prompting mass speculation about how the Clown Prince of Crime could factor into the sequel. The debate about The Batman 2's villain has since taken a different turn. Rumors have started to circulate that Clayface will play a big part in Matt Reeves' sequel and might even be the movie's main villain.
Through all the debates about who is The Batman 2's villain, Clayface remained someone from Batman's Rogues gallery that many wanted to see. Now that word has started to spread that Matt Reeves might have the monstrous creature in mind, those hopes look a lot more likely to come to fruition. This comes as Clayface's origin and powers could be twisted to quite perfectly make him the next foe for Robert Pattinson's Batman. While the character has appeared in some DC projects over the years, he's never been featured in a live-action DC movie. Here's a rundown about The Batman 2's rumored villain Clayface.
Clayface's Origin In DC Comics
The man known as Basil Karlo is constantly portrayed as an aspiring actor with movie star good looks, even as DC Comics have changed other aspects of his story. The most recent version of Clayface's origin makes Basil the son of Vincent Karlo, a cosmetic artist for movies who used a putty named Renu to change actors' appearances and make masks. It is not until Basil is older and becomes disfigured following a car crash after his father dies that he begins using Renu to retain his movie star appearance. However, the putty is toxic to human skin and Basil Karlo's appearance worsens once he runs out of his supply.
Basil Karlo's desire to get his looks, career, and life back drives him to steal Renu from the police. This results in him being exposed to the raw chemicals that make Renu, which alters the makeup of Basil's body. He transforms into a monstrous Clayface form made at this point and begins life as a criminal that frequently terrorizes Gotham. Other versions of Clayface's origin that The Batman 2 could use include him bonding with a mythical clay from The Penguin and the Golden Age origin where Basil Karlo puts on a mask inspired by one of his older movies and kills people attempting to remake it.
Clayface's Powers In DC Comics
Clayface's powers in the comics would make him a formidable villain in The Batman 2 if the rumors are true. He is traditionally portrayed as a giant monster with super strength and the ability to increase the size and mass of his clay form at will. Clayface's greatest power is the shape-shifting ability that the mud body provides. Basil Karlo can alter his look to the point where he can perfectly replicate the appearance and abilities of any single person.
There are several other Clayface powers that The Batman 2 villain could utilize too. He can frequently change the density of his body, allowing parts to become completely solid for destruction purposes. He can also turn to a liquid form to help him escape tight situations or kill his enemies. Clayface also traditionally has a poisonous touch that can immediately kill someone he touches. He has even shown the ability to absorb other people.
How Clayface Could Fit Into The Batman 2's Story
There are several different ways that Clayface can fit into The Batman 2's story as the film's main villain or as one of the foes Robert Pattinson's Batman encounters. Matt Reeves' DC franchise is quite grounded, so introducing the monstrous Clayface form would be an opportunity for the sequel to go bigger and feature some more fantastical elements. Basil Karlo's origin could be tied to the mass destruction that occurred through Riddler's plan, as perhaps the flooding in Gotham in The Batman's ending overexposed him to Renu. This allows the sequel to build on events from the first movie and have The Batman 2's villain be tied to the past.
Thanks to Clayface's shape-shifting powers, it is easy to imagine him fitting in perfectly with another detective story for The Batman 2. Whether Reeves utilizes the character's monstrous form or focuses more on him as a serial killer with a special mask like in the Golden Age comics, the idea of a villain who can constantly change his appearance creates a unique challenge for Bruce Wayne. He had a difficult enough time locating Riddler, so tracking down someone whose appearance keeps changing would further test his skills. It might even bring a layer of paranoia to Bruce in The Batman - Part II as Clayface could pose as any associate.
