Clayface: Casting for the lead role is underway!

Work on the DC film "Clayface" continues to make progress! The Hollywood insider MyTimeToShineHello now reports that casting for the lead role has probably begun.

Four actors who have attracted attention in recent years and months through a series of productions are currently being discussed. First and foremost is George MacKay, known for the award-winning World War II film "1917". Hunger Games" star Tom Blyth could also secure the coveted role.

Jack O'Connell has made a name for himself with films such as "Ferrari" alongside Adam Driver and most recently "Sinners" with Michael B. Jordan. His raw, energetic screen presence could effectively express the dark, desperate side of the character. Finally, Leo Woodall was convincing in the acclaimed second season of "The White Lotus" and was recently seen in the romantic comedy "Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy" alongside Renée Zellweger.

"Clayface" is described as a kind of "Hollywood horror story". It centers on a B-movie actor who takes a mysterious substance to give his career a new lease of life. Shortly afterwards, he transforms into a monstrous creature. This premise suggests that the movie version is most likely the Basil Karlo incarnation of Clayface. However, it is also conceivable that elements of other versions will be incorporated.

The film will be directed by James Watkins, who has already made a name for himself in the horror genre with films such as "The Woman in Black". The original screenplay was written by horror expert Mike Flanagan, but is currently being reworked by "Drive" author Hossein Amini. "Clayface" will be released in cinemas on September 11, 2026. It is still unclear which of the actors mentioned will ultimately take on the role – or whether a completely different name will appear.

Clayface in film and television: The chequered history of a changeable villain

Clayface is one of the oldest and most fascinating villains in Batman's gallery. Since his debut in Detective Comics in 1940, the character has taken on many faces – both literal and metaphorical. Over the decades, the name "Clayface" has been borne by several characters, including actor Basil Karlo, treasure hunter Matt Hagen, assassin Preston Payne and others. While Clayface has been reinterpreted time and again in the comics, his presence in film and television has been less frequent – but often notable.

Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995)

Clayface's first major and perhaps still best-known appearance was in the groundbreaking animated series "Batman: The Animated Series". This version introduced a new interpretation of the character, combining elements of Basil Karlo and Matt Hagen. Clayface is an actor who can change his shape with an experimental face cream, but an overdose turns him into a shape-shifting monster. He was voiced by Ron Perlman, whose deep voice and tragic portrayal of the character received high praise. The double episode "Feeding Time / Mudslide" is considered a classic among Batman episodes.

Batman Beyond

Clayface made several guest appearances in the sequel to Batman: The Animated Series, even if he was more of a supporting character here. In Batman Beyond, which is set in the future, there is also a Clayface-like character called "Inque" who seems to be inspired by Clayface - a mutable figure with a tragic past.

The Batman (2004-2008)

In this stylistically more modern animated series, Clayface appears in a new version: As Ethan Bennett, a friend of Bruce Wayne and police officer who becomes Clayface through experimentation by Joker. This creative reinvention of the character caused mixed reactions, but was praised by many as a fresh approach. In later seasons, Basil Karlo is also introduced as Clayface.

Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2008-2011)

In this rather humorous series based on classic comics, Clayface also appeared several times – in different incarnations, including both Basil Karlo and Matt Hagen. The series often used his abilities for creative action and transformation scenes, but remained deliberately exaggerated and comic-like in its portrayal.

Gotham (2014-2019)

In the real-life series "Gotham", which tells the prehistory of many Batman characters, Clayface only appears in the second half of the series. Here, the character Basil Karlo is introduced as a man who has been altered by Hugo Strange, giving him the ability to change his appearance at will. The portrayal as Clayface is relatively brief, but shows how versatile the character can be interpreted – in this case as a human shape-shifter rather than a monster made of clay.

Pennyworth (2019-2022)

In the spy action series Pennyworth, which sheds light on Alfred's past, Clayface appears in a surprising form. Here, the character is played by Lorraine Burroughs – an unusual, gender reinterpreted version of the classic villain. Clayface here is a mysterious figure with manipulative abilities, a far cry from the monstrous portrayal of previous incarnations.

Harley Quinn (2019-present)

In the animated comedy series "Harley Quinn", Clayface is an integral part of Harley's team. This version, voiced by Alan Tudyk, is extremely theatrical, eccentric and brings a lot of humor. Despite all the silliness, he remains a powerful character with impressive transformation abilities.

Creature Commandos (2024)

In the "Creature Commandos" series released in 2024, which is part of the new DC Universe under James Gunn, Clayface will play a role – once again voiced by Alan Tudyk. This marks his official entry into the cinematic DCU.

Conclusion

Clayface may be a changeable villain, but his story in film and television shows a clear common thread: Tragedy, loss of identity and the question of what it means to be human. Whether animated, real or humorous, Clayface remains one of the most fascinating characters in the Batman universe.