The DC Universe is venturing into darker, more unsettling territory with its upcoming Clayface film, a body horror origin story that eschews typical superheroics for a grim descent into villainy. A new trailer for the movie, slated for an October 23 release, reveals increasingly disturbing details about the titular character's transformation.
The film stars Tom Rhys Harries as Clayface, an actor whose career is on the rise when he is disfigured by criminals. Seeking to restore his appearance, he turns to a scientist whose experimental treatment transforms his body into clay. While initially seeming to solve his cosmetic issues, the clay begins to melt and lose its shape, a process that takes a severe mental toll on him. The trailer showcases moments of intense body horror, including a scene where Clayface appears to use scissors on his own amorphous eyelid to regain his sight.
This choice of Clayface marks a departure from the more conventional starting points like Superman and Supergirl for the newly launched DC cinematic universe. Studio head James Gunn appears to be embracing more experimental genre films early in this iteration of the universe. The film's release close to Halloween suggests an appeal to audiences seeking unsettling content, potentially drawing in viewers beyond the core comic book fanbase.
While the Supergirl film has seen a subdued box office performance, DC's plans include a return to Superman with the 2027 sequel "Man of Tomorrow." The studio intends to expand the universe through subsequent films, with the upcoming "Lanterns" show on HBO set to introduce Hal Jordan and John Stewart. The Clayface movie represents an early step into more niche and disturbing narratives within this evolving cinematic landscape.