DC’s “The Batman” is a beloved franchise with a multitude of different types of media to enjoy. From Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Night” (2008) to Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” (2022), whether in the form of comics, movies or animated television series, the caped crusader and the villains he fights have secured their place in popular culture for decades to come. However, with the release of the “Clayface” trailer on April 22, we were given something we’ve yet to see adapted to the screen: a DC body-horror film.
Clayface is a character in the Batman franchise, one with a tragic backstory and an even more unfortunate ‘super power.’ He has the ability to mold himself into any object at will because he’s made of, as his name suggests, clay. According to modern adaptations, Clayface’s origin lies with Matt Hagen (to be played by Tom Rhys Harries), an actor who was disfigured in an accident and relies on an addictive skin-cream to alter his face, one that eventually turns him into a monstrous creature made entirely of clay.
While Clayface is a somewhat campy character in the comics and animated series, the upcoming film plans to lean into the darker side of his story, specifically in how he reconciles his accident, his new form and his humanity (or lack thereof). As IMDB’s synopsis puts it, “Rising Hollywood star Matt Hagen descends into a horrifying revenge-filled monster when scientific ambition strips him of his identity and humanity.” Directed by James Watkins who’s known for “The Women In Black” among other atmospheric horror films, the movie marks DC Studios’ first purposeful step into the horror genre.
Set in a fresh iteration of the DCU (DC Universe) and existing in the same timeline as James Gunn’s “Superman” and “Supergirl” (but notably before either hero has been introduced to the screen), the movie seeks to set the stage for the gritty underground that is Gotham City. However, many fans are sceptical about how Watkins will go about this, especially since the Batman and Superman of this particular universe have yet to be fleshed out. Some question how “Clayface” will manage to anchor itself in a universe wherein Batman himself has yet to be introduced, while others recall the mixed reception of previous experimental projects from DC. Regardless, it’s refreshing to see DC branching out and exploring different parts of the comic universe and different genres as they do so.
As Lyvie Scott from Inverse explained, “It’s an unorthodox way to reintroduce fans to this corner of the DC Universe, but with ‘Clayface’ leading the charge, we could be getting the darkest version of Gotham we’ve ever seen… and that’s an exciting possibility.”
The film is set to release to theaters on Oct. 23, 2026, so make sure to mark your calendars for what will surely be an exciting Halloween for fans of DC and horror alike.
