DC’s Clayface Movie Officially Wraps Production
The highly anticipated horror film Clayface has officially wrapped filming, marking a bold new direction for the DC Cinematic Universe (DCU) under the leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran.
The announcement came from Tom Rhys Harries, who stars as Matt Hagen, a struggling Hollywood actor turned monstrous villain. Harries shared the news on Instagram with a chilling behind-the-scenes photo filled with eerie messages and cryptic imagery — perfectly in line with the film’s unsettling tone.
A New Direction for the DC Universe
In recent years, DC Studios has moved beyond traditional superhero storytelling, embracing darker and more experimental projects. Clayface stands at the forefront of this creative shift as the studio’s first R-rated production, blending psychological horror with tragic character drama.
Filming began on August 31, 2025, and concluded right on schedule, marking an important milestone for DC’s evolving cinematic landscape.
Unlike Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow or Lanterns, which focus on heroism and cosmic adventures, Clayface explores the origins of one of Gotham’s most disturbing villains, promising a chilling experience rather than a heroic one.
A Talented Creative Team Behind the Shadows
Directed by James Watkins, known for The Woman in Black and Speak No Evil, and written by Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House, Doctor Sleep) alongside Hossein Amini (Drive, The Alienist), Clayface brings together some of the best minds in horror and psychological storytelling.
According to The Hollywood Reporter’s Heat Vision newsletter, the movie is described as “a horror story about the dark side of Hollywood.”
It follows Matt Hagen, a B-list actor whose desperate attempt to revive his career leads him to inject himself with a mysterious substance — transforming him into a shapeshifting clay monster capable of molding his body into any form, but at the cost of his humanity.
A Glimpse Into the Madness: Tom Rhys Harries’ Eerie Photo
The image shared by Harries from the makeup trailer offers haunting clues about the film’s tone and themes.
On the wall, a scribbled quote reads:
“Want in one hand, s**t in the other. See which gets full first.”
The phrase, often interpreted as a grim reminder of unattainable dreams, echoes Clayface’s tragic arc — a man consumed by his obsession with fame and perfection.
Another chilling detail shows the words “Go where the chalk-white…” written in red ink — a reference to Shel Silverstein’s classic poem Where the Sidewalk Ends, suggesting a journey to the edge of sanity and beyond.
The photo also features cryptic imagery: a figure with a paper bag over its head, distorted silhouettes, vintage Gotham street scenes, and black-and-white film crew photos — all hinting at the film’s blend of classic noir aesthetics and modern body horror.
The Cast and What to Expect
Alongside Harries, the cast includes Naomi Ackie (I Wanna Dance with Somebody) and Max Minghella (The Handmaid’s Tale), both in undisclosed but reportedly “psychologically intense” roles.
Industry insiders speculate that Ackie could play a journalist investigating strange occurrences in Gotham’s decaying film industry, while Minghella may portray Hagen’s manipulative agent — a figure tied to his tragic downfall.
With production now complete, the film is entering post-production. DC Studios is expected to release the first teaser trailer before the end of 2025, possibly during the DC FanDome or San Diego Comic-Con events.
The Story Behind the Monster
Unlike previous DC villains, Clayface has always been portrayed as both terrifying and tragic. First introduced in 1940, the character has evolved through multiple iterations — from Basil Karlo’s murderous actor to Matt Hagen’s shape-shifting abomination.
The new adaptation aims to combine both interpretations, creating a version that’s more grounded, disturbing, and emotionally charged.
James Gunn previously teased that upcoming DC films will explore “moral complexity and genre diversity,” and Clayface perfectly fits that mold — blending elements of horror, noir, and psychological thriller within the superhero framework.
When Will Clayface Hit Theaters?
DC Studios has confirmed that Clayface is part of the “Gods and Monsters” chapter of the new DC Universe. The movie is set to premiere on September 11, 2026, making it one of the most highly anticipated DC releases of the next phase.
Early buzz from insiders suggests that test footage has impressed executives, and that the film could redefine DC’s approach to villain-led stories, much like Joker did in 2019.
A Dark Future for DC’s Expanding Universe
With Clayface, DC continues to take bold creative risks, moving away from formulaic superhero storytelling to embrace more adult, thought-provoking narratives.
If successful, it could open the door for more villain-centered projects, possibly including Scarecrow, Deathstroke, or Professor Pyg.
For now, fans can only wait and speculate as Clayface crawls out of post-production and prepares to bring a new kind of horror to Gotham’s streets — one made not of flesh and blood, but of living clay and shattered dreams.
Conclusion
DC’s Clayface isn’t just another comic book adaptation — it’s a bold experiment in blending horror and tragedy within a shared cinematic universe.
With a visionary creative team, an R-rated tone, and a haunting premise, the film could become DC’s most daring project yet.
Come September 2026, audiences will finally step into the shadows of Gotham — and face the monster that fame created.
