Clayface: release date, cast, plot, and everything else we know about the DC Universe horror movie

Clayface, the second of two DC Universe (DCU) movies that'll be released this year, continues to take shape as we slowly approach its revised October 23, 2026 launch.

The third film to be greenlit as part of the DCU's first phase, titled 'Gods and Monsters', it'll feature the shapeshifting Batman villain in his first-ever standalone flick. And, while he isn't a complete unknown, the character's complex comic book history means you might want to know more about it ahead of the horror flick's release.

To help you out, I've sculpted a guide on the biggest and latest news, plus the odd rumor or five, on Clayface, including details on its likely cast and story. So, read on to find out more.

Clayface release date

As I alluded to above, Clayface will take form on the big screen on October 23.

Originally, it was set to arrive on September 11, with that launch date announced as part of a major DCU update delivered by DCU overseers James Gunn and Peter Safran last February. However, per Variety, Warner Bros. delayed its release by a month, meaning it will now come out in time for Halloween, aka the spookiest time of the year.

As confirmed by its lead star Tom Rhys Harries, principal photography wrapped in October 2025 (thanks to Reddit for the assist). Post-production should be well underway now, then — and, unless there are any major issues with that phase of development Clayface is in line to meet its late 2026 launch date.

Clayface trailer: is there one?

No, but I wouldn't be shocked if the DCU Chapter One movie's first teaser makes its bow at San Diego Comic-Con 2026 in late July. Once a trailer is released, I'll update this section.

Clayface cast: confirmed and rumored

Possible spoilers follow for Clayface.

So far, only one actor has been confirmed for Clayface. However, four other stars have appeared on the set and/or been unofficially added to its cast roster:

• Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen/Clayface
• Naomi Ackie as TBC
• Max Minghella as TBC
• Eddie Marsan as TBC
• David Dencik as TBC

Harries, who some might recognize from the 2024 Doctor Who episode 'Dot and Bubble', is the movie's lead. Announcing his hiring last June, Gunn revealed he and Safran "were blown away" by Harries' audition for Clayface's title role.

As for which version of the character Harries is playing, that'll be Matt Hagen. First appearing in 'Detective Comics #298' in December 1961, Hagen is the second individual to assume the supervillain's name and physiology after Basil Karlo. The latter made his DC Comics debut in 'Detective Comics #40' in December 1940.

In the source material, Hagen is a treasure hunter who transforms into the monstrous shapeshifter after coming into contact with a pool of radioactive protoplasm. However, in the DCU, Hagen is an actor who, according to online rumors, will undergo an experimental procedure and get turned into an individual made of clay.

Ackie, who's expected to play a scientist called Caitlin Bates (according to The Hollywood Reporter (THR), could be behind Hagen's transmutation. THR has also claimed Minghella is playing a police detective named John, who becomes embroiled in an investigation involving Hagen. Both stars have been spotted on the film's set in Liverpool, so they're all but confirmed to feature.

Marsan has also been seen shooting scenes in Liverpool. Based on footage uploaded to X/Twitter (see above), Marsan was seen sporting an identical set of clothes to those worn by Harries, so he could be one of Hagen's shapeshifting human disguises. However, reliable scooper Apocalyptic Horseman has suggested Marsan is Hagen's manager, so the jury is still out on Marsan's mystery role.

Lastly on the seemingly confirmed cast front, Deadline says Swedish-Danish performer David Dencik is part of proceedings. There's no word on who he could play.

Another DC character that fans would love to see, even if it's in a cameo capacity, is Batman. After all, Clayface is a member of The Caped Crusader's ever-expanding rogues gallery, so this movie feels like the perfect opportunity to officially reveal the DCU's iteration of The Dark Knight.

However, while the DCU's Batman has been teased in other projects, including episode 6 of Creature Commandos, last year's Superman movie, and episode 1 of Peacemaker season 2, an actor hasn't yet been picked to play Bruce Wayne and his vigilante alter ego. Unless Batman only appears in silhouette form, which he did in Creature Commandos episode 6, then, he's unlikely to be involved.

Clayface story speculation

Potential spoilers follow for Clayface.

There's very little public information about this film's plot, but there are some story-based details floating around the web.

Speaking to Gizmodo in December 2024, Gunn said he "didn’t plan on making a Clayface movie", but the screenplay from horror auteur Mike Flanagan was so good that it was quickly put into production. In the same month, Gunn also confirmed (see the X/Twitter post above) that the James Watkins-directed project is officially part of the DCU, thus ending speculation that it'll exist as part of Matt Reeves' Bat-Verse.

Last July, Gunn also revealed – via the DC Studios podcast – that it'll be R-rated (that's 18+ for fans outside of the US). Per THR's Heat Vision newsletter, the body horror, which Safran has described as DC's take on The Fly (per Brandon Davis), will be produced in the vein of an indie horror flick, with a reportedly modest $45 million budget helping it get greenlit.

Inspiration-wise, Flanagan told comicbook.com that the movie takes its cues from 'Feat of Clay', a two-part fan-favorite story involving the titular villain in the beloved program Batman: The Animated Series. The Hagen version appears in this two-parter, which is likely why Hagen, rather than Karlo, was chosen as this movie's protagonist

For what it's worth, it's unclear if the Karlo version is the one who appeared in season 1 of Creature Commandos, the adult animated HBO Max show that kickstarted the DCU, or if that's Hagen as well. If it's the former, there'll be two Clayfaces running around the DCU. If it's the latter, it's possible Clayface may serve as a prequel to Harries' supervillain origins and predate Creature Commandos.

Anyway, it doesn't sound like this film will directly adapt the story told in 'Feat of Clay'. In that double header, Hagen is severely injured in a car crash and, after being offered an experimental serum by a nefarious businessman, Hagen is able to transform into anyone he desires.

Per THR, this film will position Hagen as the victim of a vicious gang attack that leaves him disfigured . Deadline also suggests Hagen will be more of a sympathetic character than his comic book counterpart, so Clayface may be more of a Greek tragedy than a straight-up villain piece.

Lastly, as the above X/Twitter post indicates, the DCU's third big-screen offering will be full of references and call-backs to other characters who operate in Gotham City and include famous city locations such as Club Vesuvius. A nightclub owned by mobster Johnny Sabatino, this venue could play host to a major set-piece in the film, especially if Sabatino is the man responsible for physically maiming Hagen.

It'll be interesting to see if the rest of these comic book references are mere Easter eggs, or if we'll actually meet any of the individuals they're teasing, such as The Joker, the Grayson family, The Penguin, Black Canary, Black Mask, and Zatanna, the last of those of whom is a Club Vesuvius regular

Will Clayface set up other DCU movies and TV shows?

We don't know. However, given the aforementioned references, Clayface could lay the foundations for any of the above characters and/or Batman to be introduced in the DCU.

Right now, Supergirl, Lanterns, Creature Commandos season 2, and Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow are the only DCU projects actively in development. Creature Commandos aside, none of these will have direct ties to the second and final DCU film of 2026. So, as I said, we've no idea what effect the Harries-starring flick will have on Gunn and Safran's cinematic franchise.

For more DCU coverage, find out what we know so far about Supergirl and everything we know about Lanterns. Then, get the scoop on Creature Commandos season 2 and the full lowdown on Man of Tomorrow.