DC isn’t playing it safe with its new universe. The first trailer for Clayface dropped yesterday, and instead of a traditional superhero rollout, DC Studios is diving headfirst into body horror with one of Batman’s most underrated villains. The result? Something that feels closer to an indie horror film than a comic book blockbuster.
DC Studios' Clayface is described as a horror thriller from director James Watkins, starring Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen, the future Gotham City villain. When the rising Hollywood star is disfigured, he descends into madness after a scientific experiment strips him of his identity and humanity.
Here are 8 things to know about DC Comics' Clayface for those unfamiliar with the DC Comics villain, and his chilling DCU debut.
1. This Is DC’s Most Disturbing Movie Yet
Forget dark and gritty — Clayface looks downright unsettling.
The trailer leans into full-on body horror, with melting faces, shifting features, and nightmare-inducing transformations. It’s a major tonal swing for DC, signaling that the new DCU isn’t afraid to push into genre filmmaking.
Think The Fly meets Gotham.
2. It’s a Hollywood Horror Story
This version of Clayface centers on Matt Hagen, an up-and-coming actor whose life spirals after a disfiguring incident.
Desperate to stay relevant, he undergoes an experimental procedure that turns him into something monstrous. The film taps into:
• Hollywood vanity
• Fame obsession
• Identity loss
It’s less about world domination and more about a man losing himself — literally.
3. Don’t Expect Batman (At Least Not Yet)
Yes, Clayface is traditionally a Batman villain — but this isn’t that story.
The trailer keeps the focus tightly on Hagen’s transformation, with no sign of Batman. That makes Clayface one of the first DCU projects to build the world through a villain’s perspective rather than a hero’s.
However, The Batman (2022) director Matt Reeves is attached as a producer, which could signal that this origin story may be laying the ground for a face-off in the next Batman movie, set for release in October 2027.
4. How Close Is the Movie to the Comics?
The upcoming film appears to be a hybrid of multiple Clay face origins rather than a direct adaptation.
DC is essentially remixing Clayface’s history:
• Taking the actor's backstory from Basil Karlo
• Combining it with the transformative powers of Matt Hagen
• Adding a modern horror lens
That’s pretty on-brand for the new DCU — honoring the source material while reshaping it into something cinematic and genre-driven.
5. It’s Part of James Gunn’s “Gods and Monsters” Chapter
Clayface is officially part of the new DCU under James Gunn, specifically within the “Gods and Monsters” slate.
What that means:
• DC isn’t sticking to one tone
• Each project explores a different genre
• The universe is being built with standalone stories that still connect
If Superman sets the heroic tone, Clayface is clearly carving out the horror lane.
6. There’s Real Horror Talent Behind the Camera
This isn’t a gimmick — DC brought in legit horror heavy-hitters.
• Directed by James Watkins (Speak No Evil)
• Written by Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House)
That pedigree explains why the trailer feels more like prestige horror than a comic book movie. If anything, Clayface could end up being one of DC’s most unique — and unsettling — entries yet.
7. Live-Action Appearances (So Far)
Clayface hasn’t had a true big-screen debut yet, but he has appeared in live-action TV:
• Gotham (2014–2019)
A proto-version of Clayface appears through Basil Karlo, portrayed as an actor and serial killer.
No full shapeshifting clay monster — more grounded and realistic.
• Pennyworth (2022)
features a version of Basil Karlo with shape-altering abilities via experimental means.
Again, more restrained than the comic book version.
8. Animated Movies & Series
Clayface’s most iconic portrayals are in animation:
• Batman: The Animated Series
The definitive take. This version (Matt Hagen) is a tragic actor turned shapeshifting monster.
Widely considered the best Clayface origin story.
• The Lego Batman Movie:
A comedic version where Clayface morphs into exaggerated characters.
• Fun, but played for laughs.
• Various DC animated films (like Batman: Hush) also feature him in smaller roles.
The Bottom Line
With Clayface, DC is making it clear: the new DCU won’t follow a formula.
Between its horror tone, villain-first storytelling, and creative risks, this could be a defining moment for the franchise — especially if audiences are ready for something darker and weirder.
And based on this first trailer, DC is more than ready to get messy.
