Clayface: First poster and trailer for the new DCU film

Another Batman antagonist is finally stepping into the spotlight: "Clayface" is getting his own movie – and things are really starting to take shape! James Gunn shared the first poster for the DCU film on X. The trailer has also finally been released.

Who is Clayface?

Clayface first appeared in comics in the 1940s. Since then, there have been several versions with different civilian names and origin stories. However, all incarnations are Batman's adversaries. Clayface has the ability to change his shape at will. These powers make him a dangerous and unpredictable opponent in battle. However, he can also mimic other people exactly to carry out his sinister plans with cunning and deceit.

According to initial reports, the film's story will center on the second Clayface, named Matt Hagen. He is a failed actor whose face is disfigured by a gangster. He therefore turns to a scientist to restore his appearance. But the treatment goes wrong: contact with an experimental chemical transforms the protagonist into a monster.

Behind the Scenes

Over the years, Clayface has been reinterpreted numerous times in comics, animated series, and video games. Now, director James Watkins and screenwriters Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini are tackling their own version. Both filmmakers are primarily at home in the horror genre. Watkins has directed films such as "Speak No Evil" with James McAvoy and "The Woman in Black" with Daniel Radcliffe. Horror expert Flanagan has made a name for himself with films like "Doctor Sleep" and several hit series such as "The Haunting of Hill House" and "Midnight Mass". "Clayface" is being produced by, among others, "The Batman" mastermind Matt Reeves.

The Cast

Tom Rhys Harries will take on the lead role. The actor has previously appeared mostly in supporting roles. Among other projects, he was part of the cast of Guy Ritchie's "The Gentlemen." He also appeared in the Apple TV+ series "Suspicion".

The scientist Dr. Caitlin Bates is a character written specifically for the film. She is played by Naomi Ackie. According to initial reports, her character is the CEO of a startup. Her fiancé John, on the other hand, is a detective portrayed by actor Max Minghella. Also joining the cast is the well-known supporting actor Eddie Marsan.

A Horror Film in the DCU

Compared to the other films in the DCU, "Clayface" is supposed to be something completely different, according to James Gunn. It's important to him that not every film is made in the style of "Superman". Instead, Gunn prefers to work with different filmmakers who have distinct visions for his DCU projects. This is intended to prevent the audience from getting bored with the same old approach.

"Clayface" is even said to be a true horror film. That's why we're particularly interested in the perspective from which the film will be told: Will we stay close to the villain and experience a tragic story like in "Joker"? But how will the horror aspect work if there's no eerie external threat?

Reportedly, the film is meant to evoke David Cronenberg's body horror classic "The Fly". That film focuses primarily on how the slow transformation of one's own body turns a person into a monster bit by bit – both physically and behaviorally. We experience both the villain's story and that of the people around him – in the case of "Clayface", presumably the scientist and the detective.

In our opinion, the character likely won't fully transform into the familiar monster until the end of the film. This also explains why Batman has not yet appeared in the story. We're eagerly awaiting to see what actually awaits us in the end. The theatrical release of "Clayface" is scheduled for October 23.