Clayface Star Tom Rhys Harries Is Right: DC Needs to Make a Scarecrow Batman Villain Movie Next
Harries pitches Scarecrow
In interviews around Clayface’s release, Tom Rhys Harries named Scarecrow as a Batman villain he would like to see lead a film. He imagined a story that leaves viewers unsure what is real, comparing the idea to early Christopher Nolan films and The Truman Show.
Speaking to Deadline, Harries also suggested a direction similar to Inception. He said a Scarecrow movie could make the audience question reality.
A different Gotham story
Clayface is not DC’s first villain-focused film; Joker and Suicide Squad have also centered on antagonists. But another such movie could widen the range of stories told in a universe that has generally focused on heroes.
Batman films have often emphasized the Joker, while Gotham has many other villains with distinct histories. Giving them more screen time could echo Batman: The Animated Series, which developed its roster of antagonists.
Fear could shape the film
Scarecrow’s use of mind-altering chemicals, which expose victims to their worst fears, could support surreal visuals and scenes. Harries described the potential as a psychological “head-bend,” though the film remains a proposed idea.
A Scarecrow story could also cover the villain’s origins as Dr. Jonathan Crane, a psychologist at Arkham Asylum. That setting might allow appearances by other characters, including Harley Quinn and Dr. Hugo Strange, who were initially Arkham staff.
A fit for the DCU
A Scarecrow film could follow Clayface’s horror approach and explore Gotham without requiring the DCU to introduce Batman in live action soon. It could also help establish the franchise’s wider cast of Gotham characters.
Clayface has received a positive critical and commercial response, and its early box office performance set an initial precedent. Those results, alongside existing interest in Batman villain stories, make another antagonist-led film a possibility for the DCU.
Key points
- Tom Rhys Harries wants DC to consider a Scarecrow film.
- He envisions a story that makes viewers question what is real.
- Scarecrow’s fear-inducing chemicals could enable surreal scenes.
- A story set around Arkham could feature Harley Quinn or Dr. Hugo Strange.