'Clayface': Release Date, Plot & Everything You Need to Know About DC's First Horror Movie
DC's most experimental project is on the horizon.
This fall, Clayface, the first superhero body horror movie based on the legendary DC character who first appeared in comics in 1940, will be released in cinemas.
The movie was directed by James Watkins, creator of Eden Lake and the remake of Speak No Evil, the screenplay was written by horror master Mike Flanagan.
At a time when the superhero genre is in crisis and Batman and Superman flicks no longer delight fans as much as they once did, the release of Clayface looks set to be a bold and potentially revolutionary move.
When Will 'Clayface' Be Released?
The premiere of Clayface is scheduled for 23 October, 2026. Filming began in the UK in early September 2025 and continued until the end of October.
In terms of chronology, Clayface follows Supergirl, starring Milly Alcock, which is scheduled for release in late July, and precedes Man of Tomorrow, the Superman sequel starring David Corenswet.
What Will 'Clayface' Be About?
The story follows Matt Hagen, a B-movie actor whose face is disfigured after a chance encounter with a gangster. Hoping to restore his former beauty, he turns to Caitlin, a biotechnologist and an original character created specifically for the movie.
She performs an experimental procedure that transforms him into a monster – he gains the ability to shapeshift but loses all traces of humanity.
Caitlin sees Hagen as an opportunity to expand her business and succeed in experimental medicine. In the process, she falls in love with a patient, much to the dismay of her fiancé John, who is a detective.
Who Is 'Clayface' in the Comics?
Clayface is an alias used by several supervillains in the DC universe. The most famous of these is Basil Karlo, who first appeared in Detective Comics in 1940.
Once a popular actor, his declining fame drove him insane, leading him to kill his rivals. He was eventually confronted by Batman and Robin.
Matt Hagen's character, who became the main character of the movie, debuted in 1961. Originally a treasure hunter, he was transformed into a supervillain after an encounter with protoplasm.
However, the new adaptation altered this plot twist, drawing parallels between the stories of the classic villain Basil Karlo and his successor, Matt.
Who Is in the Cast of 'Clayface'?
Actor Tom Rhys Harries, a relative newcomer to commercial cinema, plays the lead role of Matt Hagen. His on-screen partner is Naomi Ackie, who is known for her roles in Blink Twice and Mickey 17.
Max Minghella, known for his role in The Handmaid's Tale, has been cast as Detective John, Caitlin's fiancé. Eddie Marsan and David Dencik have also been cast in the film, though their characters are currently being kept under wraps.
Batman will not appear in Clayface. According to James Gunn and Peter Safran, the movie is not part of Matt Reeves' crime saga, meaning that Robert Pattinson is not expected to appear.
However, the filmmakers emphasise that Clayface will be an origin story for the classic Batman villain, who may appear in other DC Studios projects in the future.
