DC Studios Unveils Clayface Trailer with Body Horror Tone and Shocking Villain Origin

James Gunn has provided new details about the upcoming DC Studios film “Clayface,” confirming its place in the studio’s release timeline and elaborating on its distinct horror tone within the revitalized DC Universe.

The filmmaker, who serves as co-chair and CEO of DC Studios alongside Peter Safran, discussed the project during recent promotional activities, clarifying where “Clayface” fits among the studio’s upcoming slate of films. Gunn confirmed that “Clayface” will be released after “Supergirl,” which is scheduled for a June 26, 2026 theatrical debut, positioning the horror film for later in the year.

“Clayface” represents a significant tonal departure from the franchise’s recent entries, including Gunn’s own 2025 “Superman” film that launched the rebooted DC Universe. The project is being developed as a dedicated horror entry, with Gunn emphasizing its commitment to the genre rather than incorporating horror elements as a secondary aspect of a superhero narrative.

The film stars Welsh actor Tom Rhys Harries in the lead role of Matt Hagen, the fictional actor whose transformation into the shapeshifting villain Clayface forms the core of the narrative. Harries’ casting was previously announced, with the actor known for his work in television series such as “The Pembrokeshire Murders” and “Industry.”

According to the official description released by DC Studios, “Clayface” will explore Hagen’s journey from rising Hollywood star to “revenge-filled monster,” delving into themes of identity loss, humanity’s fragility, corrosive relationships, and the ethical boundaries of scientific ambition. This narrative focus aligns with the body horror approach demonstrated in the film’s first trailer, which debuted to widespread attention earlier this week.

The trailer, released by Warner Bros. Pictures, establishes a distinctly unsettling atmosphere through its visual storytelling. Key imagery includes Hagen lying bandaged in a hospital bed following an unspecified incident, intercut with scenes showing his gradual physical transformation. Particularly notable is a sequence depicting Hagen without conventional facial features – no eyes, nose, or mouth – underscoring the film’s exploration of identity dissolution.

Set to an eerie adaptation of The Flaming Lips’ “Do You Realize??,” the promotional material tracks Hagen’s descent from hopeful performer to tragic figure. The footage reveals his acquisition of clay-like, malleable physical properties following what is described as a scientific procedure gone awry, directly connecting to the character’s comic book origins as a victim of experimental mutagenic compounds.

Director James Watkins, known for his work on acclaimed horror films including “Speak No Evil” and “The Woman in Black,” is helming the project from a screenplay co-written with Mike Flanagan. The Flanagan partnership brings significant horror pedigree to the production, given his creation of critically acclaimed series such as “The Haunting of Hill House” and “Midnight Mass” for Netflix, as well as feature films like “Doctor Sleep” and “Oculus.”

“Clayface” will be DC Studios’ third theatrical release under the Gunn-Safran leadership, following “Superman” (2025) and preceding the announced “Man of Tomorrow” sequel slated for 2027. Its October 23, 2026 release date positions it as a fall season offering, distinguishing it from the summer release window of “Supergirl.”

The film represents a deliberate expansion of the DC Universe’s genre boundaries under the current leadership. While the franchise has traditionally emphasized superhero action and adventure, “Clayface” signals a willingness to explore darker, more psychologically complex narratives within the shared cinematic framework. This approach allows for diverse storytelling while maintaining connections to established DC mythology through its focus on one of Batman’s most visually distinctive adversaries.

Industry observers note that the commitment to a full horror treatment – rather than a superhero film with horror elements – reflects growing confidence in the DC Universe’s ability to support varied genre entries. The project joins a broader trend of comic book adaptations exploring genre hybridization, though “Clayface” distinguishes itself by prioritizing horror as its primary genre classification.

As anticipation builds for the film’s fall release, the confirmed timeline and tonal clarification from James Gunn provide important context for understanding how “Clayface” fits within DC Studios’ evolving vision for its cinematic universe. The project stands as a test case for the viability of dedicated genre films within the superhero-adjacent space, potentially paving the way for further diversification of the DC film slate in coming years.