New Clayface Trailer Drops, Promising Body-Horror Revenge in DCU
The new preview for James Watkins's film, starring Tom Rhys Harries, dives into the monstrous origin of Matt Hagen with a $40 million budget.
- ▸The tragic origin of Matt Hagen, a disfigured actor turned monster.
- ▸Tom Rhys Harries leads a cast including Naomi Ackie and Eddie Marsan.
- ▸A $40 million horror-thriller positioned as a dark DCU standalone.
- ▸Theatrical release set for October 2026.
Follow the terrifying descent into hell of a promising Hollywood actor who has become a monster driven by revenge, exploring the loss of identity and humanity, the ravages of toxic love and the dark side of scientific ambition.
- 1Matt Hagen's Origin — The trailer confirms Hagen's rise and fall from Hollywood actor to disfigured victim seeking experimental treatment.
- 2Revenge Motive — The plot centers on Hagen's spiral into a path of all-consuming revenge after his transformation.
- 3Full Cast — The trailer confirms key roles for Tom Rhys Harries, Naomi Ackie, Eddie Marsan, and Max Minghella.
- 4Release Date — The film is officially set for an October 23, 2026, theatrical release in North America.
- Director
- James Watkins
- Starring
- Tom Rhys Harries, Naomi Ackie, Eddie Marsan
- Release
- 2026
- Genre
- Horror, Thriller, Science Fiction
DC Studios has released a new trailer for its upcoming horror-thriller, Clayface, providing a deeper look at the monstrous origin story set to hit theaters in October 2026. The preview, reported by outlets including Cinelinx and IGN, leans heavily into body-horror as it charts the tragic fall of its protagonist.
James Watkins directs from a screenplay by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, based on a story by Flanagan and characters from DC. The film is produced by Matt Reeves, Lynn Harris, James Gunn, and Peter Safran.
What is Clayface about?
The official synopsis details a classic tragedy turned monstrous. Matt Hagen’s rise from Gotham street kid to Hollywood leading man is cut short when a crime boss leaves him horribly disfigured. Abandoned and desperate, he seeks a cutting-edge treatment that restores his appearance but shatters his grip on reality, sending him on a path of all-consuming revenge.
Who stars in the film?
Tom Rhys Harries leads the cast as Matt Hagen, the actor who becomes the monstrous Clayface. He is joined by Naomi Ackie as Caitlyn Corr, with a supporting cast that includes Eddie Marsan, Max Minghella as John Borrelli, and David Dencik.
How does it fit into the DC Universe?
Clayface is deliberately positioned as a dark counterpoint to brighter entries like Superman and Supergirl. It presents a standalone, nightmarish story within James Gunn's DC Universe. As reported by IGN, the film comes out before the recently delayed The Batman 2, which is not part of the DCU, and well before Gunn's own The Brave and the Bold. Don't expect Batman to appear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clayface connected to Robert Pattinson's Batman?
No. The film is part of James Gunn's DC Universe, while Robert Pattinson's Batman exists in Matt Reeves's separate "Batman Epic Crime Saga." As reported by IGN, Clayface releases before The Batman 2 and Gunn has not yet cast his DCU Batman, so no crossover is expected.
What is the budget for Clayface?
The film has a reported production budget of $40 million, positioning it as a mid-tier genre film within the DC Universe's slate.
Who wrote the screenplay for Clayface?
The screenplay was written by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, based on a story by Flanagan. Flanagan's involvement, known for horror works like The Haunting of Hill House, aligns with the film's reported body-horror tone.
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