DC gives Clayface the spotlight in first full trailer
Tom Rhys Harries stars as Batman foe Matt Hagen in DC Studios’ standalone Clayface film, due in theaters Oct. 23 from Warner Bros.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
2 min read
DC Studios has put one of Batman’s messiest enemies front and center, releasing the official trailer for Clayface, the standalone villain film starring Tom Rhys Harries.
The movie, directed by James Watkins, is set for theatrical release through Warner Bros. on Oct. 23. Deadline reported that the trailer arrives just before Comic-Con, where the film is expected to get a larger showcase.
The film gives Clayface, also known as Matt Hagen, his own story outside the usual Batman hero frame. In DC’s version for this movie, Hagen is a struggling actor who is left facially disfigured. While in the hospital, he is attacked and injected with unknown chemicals, which give him the ability to change shape.
DC describes the film as the story of a man’s slide from rising Hollywood performer to vengeance-driven monster, with themes including identity, humanity, destructive love and scientific ambition.
A Batman villain gets his own close-up
Clayface sits in the stretch between Matt Reeves’ two Batman films: 2022’s The Batman and the planned 2028 sequel The Batman Part II. Robert Pattinson stars as Bruce Wayne in both films.
The project also follows HBO Max’s The Penguin, which is set in the same universe and launched successfully, according to Deadline. DC has been building attention for Clayface since CinemaCon, where early footage of Harries in the villain role was shown to attendees.
The new trailer marks the first full official look at the film after DC previously showed teaser footage. The movie takes a body-horror angle on a character long associated with Batman’s rogues’ gallery.
Who is in Clayface?
Harries leads the film as Matt Hagen. Naomi Ackie also stars, with David Dencik, Max Minghella and Eddie Marsan in the cast.
The script was written by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini. Producers on the film are Reeves, Lynn Harris, James Gunn and Safran for DC Studios.
The executive producers are Michael E. Uslan, Chantal Nong Vo, Lars P. Winther, Rafi Crohn and Paul Richie.
The official trailer is available on DC’s YouTube channel at this link.
This story draws on original reporting from Deadline.