Forget Batman for a moment – DC Studios is introducing a new hero to Gotham! Following the digital release of Supergirl, they’re starting to promote their next film, a scary and intense R-rated movie called Clayface.
The first trailer for the movie Clayface is here! Tom Rhys Harries plays Clayface, one of Batman’s most popular villains. The story begins with Matt Hagen, who goes from a struggling youth in Gotham City to a famous actor, but his success is threatened when a powerful crime boss leaves him severely disfigured.
The story follows Matt, who, after being left behind by his team and losing everything, undergoes an experimental treatment hoping to regain what he’s lost. While the treatment works, it also causes him to lose touch with reality, leading him down a dangerous road of obsessive revenge.
Clayface Takes the DCU in a Fresh Direction
Currently, the DC Universe includes two superhero movies rated PG-13 and a few adult-oriented shows with James Gunn’s distinctive comedic style. The trailer for Clayface might come as a surprise to viewers, as its overall feel is quite different from everything else in the DCU so far.
As a huge DC fan, I’m really excited about what James Gunn is building with this new shared universe! He’s been pretty clear that he wants each movie and show to have its own unique feel, and it sounds like he’s sticking to that. Apparently, Clayface will be the first project in the DCU to lean into body horror – which is a cool direction – and even more surprisingly, it’ll be the first one with an ‘R’ rating! That’s definitely a bold move and I’m curious to see how it all plays out.
Max Minghella, who plays a Gotham City police detective in an upcoming film, recently shared some details about its darker tone. When asked about the level of horror viewers can expect from the character Clayface, Minghella stated, “I think I can safely say it’s going there.” He also praised the script, calling it “a really fantastic” and describing the movie as a “proper movie.”
It’s not surprising that Clayface has such a strong script – it was written by Mike Flanagan. He’s well known for his work creating, writing, and directing scary movies and TV shows.
Mike Flanagan is famous for directing horror movies like Gerald’s Game (2017) and Doctor Sleep (2019), both based on novels by Stephen King. He also created, produced, and oversees the popular Netflix horror series The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, Midnight Mass (2021), and The Fall of the House of Usher (2023).
Why Didn’t Mike Flanagan Direct Clayface?
Originally, Mike Flanagan planned to direct the Clayface movie, but he couldn’t due to scheduling issues with his work on The Exorcist. James Watkins then took over as director, and Hossein Amini revised the screenplay.
Alongside Harries and Minghella in Clayface, several well-known actors are appearing. Naomi Ackie, from Mickey 17, will play Dr. Caitlin Bates, and Aaron Paul, famous for Breaking Bad, has been cast in a currently secret role. The parts played by David Dencik, Nancy Carroll, and Joshua James are also being kept under wraps.
Clayface arrives in theaters on Oct. 23.
2026-07-22 19:37