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Clayface: everything we know so far about the DCU horror movie (release date, likely cast, plot rumors)

AnyFans 2025-10-02

By Tom Power

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As for which version of the character Harries is playing, that’ll be Matt Hagen. First appearing in ‘Detective Comics #298’ in December 1961, Hagen is the second individual to assume the supervillain’s name and physiology after Basil Karlo, who made his DC Comics debut in ‘Detective Comics #40′ in December 1940.
In the source material, Hagen is a treasure hunter who transforms into the monstrous shapeshifter after coming into contact with a pool of radioactive protoplasm. However, in the DCU, Hagen is an actor who, if rumors are to be believed, will undergo an experimental procedure and get turned into an individual made of clay.
Ackie, who’ll play a scientist called Caitlin Bates (according to The Hollywood Reporter (THR), could be behind Hagen’s transmutation. THR has also claimed Minghella is playing a police detective named John, who becomes embroiled in an investigation involving Hagen. Both stars have been spotted on the film’s set in Liverpool, so they’re all but confirmed to feature.

Tom Rhys Harries and Eddie Marsan walking on the set of Clayface! pic.twitter.com/3axh7ZIddeAugust 31, 2025

Marsan has also been seen shooting scenes in Liverpool. Based on footage uploaded to X/Twitter (see above), it seems that Marsan was seen sporting an identical set of clothes to those worn by Harries, so he could be one of Hagen’s shapeshifting human disguises. However, industry insider Apocalyptic Horseman has suggested Marsan is Hagen’s manager, so the jury is still out on Marsan’s mystery role.
Another DC character that fans would love to see, even if it’s in a cameo capacity, is Batman. After all, Clayface is a member of The Caped Crusader’s rogues gallery, so this movie feels like the perfect opportunity to officially reveal the DCU’s iteration of The Dark Knight.
However, while the DCU’s Batman has been teased in other projects, including episode 6 of Creature Commandos, 2025’s Superman movie, and episode 1 of Peacemaker season 2, an actor hasn’t yet been hired to play Bruce Wayne and his vigilante alter ego. So, unless Batman only appears in silhouette form, which he did in Creature Commandos episode 6, it’s incredibly unlikely he’ll be involved.
Clayface story speculation

Exciting news out of @DCOfficial Studios today as #Clayface, a DCU story from a script by Mike Flanagan, has been OFFICIALLY greenlit. Clayface premieres in 2026.December 13, 2024

Potential spoilers follow for Clayface.

There’s very little public information about Clayface’s plot, but there are some story-based details floating around the web.
For starters, speaking to Gizmodo last December, Gunn said he “didn’t plan on making a Clayface movie”, but the screenplay from horror auteur Mike Flanagan was so good that it was quickly put into production. In the same month, Gunn also confirmed (see the X/Twitter post above) that the James Watkins-directed project is officially part of the DCU, thus ending speculation that it’ll exist as part of Matt Reeves’ Bat-Verse.
In July 2025, Gunn revealed – via the DC Studios podcast – that it’ll be R-rated. That’s 18+ for fans outside of the US. Per THR’s Heat Vision newsletter, the body horror, which Safran has described as DC’s take on The Fly (per Brandon Davis), will be produced in the vein of an indie horror flick, with a reportedly modest $45 million budget helping it get greenlit.

Clayface has appeared in various animated Batman projects, but never in a live-action one (Image credit: DC)
Inspiration-wise, Flanagan told comicbook.com that the movie takes its cues from ‘Feat of Clay’, a two-part fan-favorite story involving the titular villain in the beloved program Batman: The Animated Series. The Hagen version appears in this two-parter, which is likely why Hagen, rather than Karlo, was chosen to be this flick’s protagonist
For what it’s worth, it’s unclear if the Karlo version is the one who appeared in season 1 of Creature Commandos, the adult animated HBO Max show that kickstarted the DCU last December, or if that’s Hagen as well. If it’s the former, there’ll be two Clayfaces running around the DCU. If it’s the latter, it’s possible Clayface may serve as a prequel to Harries’ supervillain origins and predates Creature Commandos.
Anyway, it doesn’t sound like this film will directly adapt the story told in ‘Feat of Clay’. In that double header, Hagen is severely injured in a car crash and, after being offered an experimental serum by a nefarious businessman, Hagen is able to transform into anyone he desires.
According to THR, though, Hagen will be the victim of a vicious gang attack that leaves him disfigured in this movie. Deadline also suggests Hagen will be more of a sympathetic character than his comic book counterpart, so Clayface may be more of a Greek tragedy than a straight-up villain piece.

Clayface’s back must hurt so bad from carrying so much DCU lore. https://t.co/guqOet6I2H pic.twitter.com/MG2tIyKTqiSeptember 11, 2025

Lastly, as the above X/Twitter post indicates, the DCU’s third big-screen offering will be full of references and call-backs to other characters who operate in Gotham, and include famous city locations such as Club Vesuvius. A nightclub owned by mobster Johnny Sabatino, this venue could play host to a major set-piece in the film, especially if Sabatino is the man responsible for physically maiming Hagen.
It’ll be interesting to see if the rest of these DC comic book references are mere Easter eggs, or if we’ll actually meet any of the individuals they’re teasing, such as The Joker, the Grayson family, The Penguin, Black Canary, Black Mask, and Zatanna – the latter being a Club Vesuvius regular. I’d be stunned if any or all of these characters show up, but I’ve been wrong before.
Will Clayface set up other DCU movies and TV shows?

We’ll have to wait until Peacemaker season 2 is over to learn more about the grander plan for the DCU (Image credit: DC Studios/Max)
The short answer is: we don’t know. Given the aforementioned references, it’s possible that Clayface could lay the foundations for any of the above characters and/or Batman to be introduced in the DCU.
At the time of this article’s initial publication, though, Peacemaker season 2 has only just passed its midpoint on HBO Max. According to Gunn, Peacemaker’s sophomore season holds the key to his overarching plan for DCU Chapter One, otherwise known as ‘Gods and Monsters’. So, we’ll have to wait until it ends to see how it’ll help establish the primary narrative of ‘Gods and Monsters’ before we can determine if Clayface will have a role in firming up those plans via its wider association with Batman and Gotham City.
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Get the lowdown on Supergirl, the next DCU movie that’ll arrive in June 2026
Or learn more about Man of Tomorrow, aka the sequel to 2025’s Superman film
Alternatively, find out how to watch the DC movies in order

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Senior Entertainment Reporter

As TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You’ll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.

An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as this Moon Knight TV spot.

Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across.

Got a scoop, interesting story, or an intriguing angle on the latest news in entertainment? Feel free to drop him a line.

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