The latest trailer for DC Studios' upcoming Clayface film reveals a dark and disturbing take on the iconic Batman villain, with a clear emphasis on R-rated horror elements. The trailer showcases gruesome transformations and unsettling scenes, positioning the movie as a "horror thriller."
Central to the narrative is Matt Hagen, a Gothamite portrayed by Tom Rhys Harries, who suffers a disfigurement from a crime syndicate. Abandoned by the legal system and his peers, Hagen seeks an experimental procedure from a scientist, played by Naomi Ackie, in an attempt to restore his appearance. This procedure, however, results in him transforming into a "Silly Putty blob-man," a significant side effect.
The trailer also offers glimpses of Clayface in his more monstrous, familiar form, reminiscent of his depiction in Batman: The Animated Series and the Batman Arkham video games. This film is also notable for presenting what appears to be the first look at Gotham City within the new DC Universe (DCU).
Directed by James Watkins, known for horror films such as Speak No Evil and The Woman in Black, the project's story was conceived by acclaimed filmmaker Mike Flanagan, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Hossein Amini. The film has been in development since 2023, with Flanagan's initial pitch being accepted by the James Gunn-led DC Studios.
It is important to note that Matt Reeves and Robert Pattinson's The Batman: Part 2 will not be set within the same universe as Clayface and the broader DCU. That film, along with its spin-off series The Penguin, operates independently and is slated for release on February 18, 2028. This distinction could lead to complexities when Batman eventually appears in the upcoming DCU film, The Brave and the Bold.
Despite potential universe-related confusion, Clayface is positioned to reignite momentum for the DCU following the box office performance of Supergirl. The film is scheduled to release in theaters on October 23.