DC Studios has released a new trailer for Clayface, a film set to join James Gunn's burgeoning DC Universe. The trailer provides a detailed look at the origin story of Matt Hagen, who becomes Clayface after undergoing experimental treatment for disfigurement. The visual presentation is notably graphic, featuring moments of intense body horror.
One particularly striking scene depicts Hagen experiencing a medical emergency on a plane, with his eyelids melting together, forcing him to consider self-harm to regain his sight. This unsettling imagery is central to the film's thematic approach, which aims to serve as a dark counterpoint to more optimistic DC entries like Superman and Supergirl. Directed by James Watkins with a screenplay by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, Clayface is described as a nightmarish take on power acquisition, drawing parallels to a disfigured Peter Parker discovering his abilities, but with the horrific consequence of his face disintegrating rather than gaining powers.
The release of Clayface may raise questions about its connection to Batman's cinematic universe. The film is a DC Universe (DCU) project, distinct from Matt Reeves's separate "Batman Epic Crime Saga," which includes The Batman 2. Therefore, Robert Pattinson's Batman is not expected to appear, nor will Batman feature in Clayface itself. James Gunn has indicated that discussions regarding the DCU's Batman, who will appear in the upcoming The Brave and the Bold, will commence after The Batman 2 releases in February 2028.
Clayface stands as a standalone DCU film for now, potentially weaving into the broader narrative alongside Superman and Supergirl, and the upcoming Man of Tomorrow. Its visceral depiction of body horror suggests a unique and unsettling addition to the DCU slate.