As recent reports have suggested, the first Batman villain to feature in their own solo project in James Gunn’s DCU is none other than Clayface. And now, the Clayface film has a director attached. According to The Hollywood Reporter, director James Watkins (Speak No Evil) has signed on to helm the horror film about the shapeshifting Gotham City villain. And, the Clayface movie has found its star with Tom Rhys Harries as the titular villain. The Welsh actor may not be well known to many US folks but some Doctor Who fans may recognize him from “Dot & Bubble.”
Additionally, Naomi Ackie is in talks to also star in the Clayface movie. We don’t know specifics about that role yet, but hopefully more details will arise.
The script initially came from horror master Mike Flanagan. For those unaware, that’s the genius behind Midnight Mass, The Haunting of Hill House, and Doctor Sleep, among several others. However, a recent report by The Wrap reveals Hossein Amini will rewrite the Clayface film script for some reason. This is shocking considering Flanagan’s resume but maybe it will be for the best.
According to the original report, the film has a relatively modest budget of $40 million. That’s more akin to a studio horror film than a superhero movie. The movie centers on a B-movie actor who injects himself with a strange substance to keep himself relevant in Hollywood. He later discovers that he can reshape his face and body, becoming a walking piece of clay. This is very in line with the character’s appearance in Batman: The Animated Series. With a wee dash of The Substance thrown in for good measure. It’s unknown if they’ll be using the original Clayface, Basil Karlo, or his Matt Hagen persona. Batman has fought multiple villains named Clayface over the years.
In terms of the DCU connections, a version of Clayface has already appeared in canon. He popped up as a villain in the animated Creature Commandos series. That version appeared to die in battle, but James Gunn posted that reports of Clayface’s death had been exaggerated. Does that mean it’s the same Clayface? The one in Creature Commandos did not seem like a former Hollywood actor. Most likely, just like in the pages of DC Comics, there is simply more than one Clayface. The one in the film may simply derive his powers from the other one.
We’ll find out for sure when DC Studios’ Clayface hits theaters, on September 11, 2026.
Originally published on February 21, 2025.
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Source: Kiat Media
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