‘Clayface’ Set Images Tease DC’s Most Popular Villain

DC Studios is gearing up for Clayface, the next film in its expanding DC Universe, and set photos are giving fans a tease of Gotham’s popular villain.

While the studio has not yet cast a new Batman, Clayface will explore Bruce Wayne’s city in more detail, setting the stage for Gotham’s criminal underworld and hinting at familiar faces like The Joker.

On set in Liverpool, England, a poster was spotted that reads, “Corruption is the ENEMY of the people,” encouraging citizens to “march against the GCPD” and ending with “JOIN THE JOKER.” The image hints at the dark tone and political tension within the story.

Clayface is a superhero horror film centered on Matt Hagen, an actor whose face is ruined by a gangster. In desperation, he turns to a scientist, played by Naomi Ackie, who transforms his body into living clay.

Tom Rhys Harries stars as Matt Hagen/Clayface, with Max Minghella as a Gotham City detective involved with Ackie’s character. Eddie Marsan has also joined the cast in an undisclosed role.

The project was initially pitched by Mike Flanagan to DC Studios in March 2023, after he had expressed public interest in a Clayface movie. Flanagan was confirmed to be involved in December 2024 but could not direct due to scheduling conflicts.

James Watkins took over as director in February, and Hossein Amini was brought in to rewrite the script by May. Harries was cast in June, with additional casting continuing over the next few months. Filming started in August, with on-location shoots in Liverpool and studio work at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden.

Clayface is scheduled for release in the United States on September 11, 2026, as part of DCU’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. The film is produced by James Gunn and Peter Safran for DC Studios, along with Matt Reeves and Lynn Harris.

Fans are already speculating whether Batman might make an appearance, but with the role still uncast, it remains uncertain. The movie promises a darker, body-horror take on the classic villain while building the DC Universe’s world in Gotham.

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