DC’s upcoming ‘Clayface‘ movie is shaping up to be one of the most audacious and unsettling entries in James Gunn’s ‘Chapter One: Gods and Monsters.’ Slated for a September 11, 2026, release, this is not your typical superhero origin story because it is promised to be a full-bodied horror experience that dives into identity, ambition, and monstrosity. According to a viral X post by DCU PRIME TV, a recently leaked set photo immediately caught everyone’s attention and made a newspaper headline stating that, “ACTOR MATT HAGEN DEAD!” While it’s unlikely, because it’s obviously a literal plot spoiler, and in doing so it also strongly suggests that the film will center on Matt Hagen, the second character to take on the Clayface mantle in DC Comics history.
But this version of Clayface is more than a simple homage. The DCU’s take on Clayface is a clever mash-up of the character’s many comic book incarnations. Tom Rhys Harries’ Matt Hagen isn’t just a villain, after all; he is a promising actor whose career and life are upended when a devastating disfigurement forces him to seek out a maverick scientist, likely played by Naomi Ackie, for a radical and very risky procedure. Rather than sticking to Hagen’s original comic book origin as a treasure hunter stumbling upon a strange protoplasmic substance, this version borrows from Basil Karlo’s theatrical roots and Preston Payne’s tragic experimental accident. The result is a hybrid Clayface who has duality from time to time. He is sympathetic, ambitious, and terrifyingly unstable, a shape-shifter whose very identity teeters between humanity and horror.
Flanagan and Watkins Brings Horror , While Gunn Brings a Bold DCU Twist
Behind the camera, the film boasts a creative powerhouse. According to the creators, we are in for a chilling and genre-defying ride. Mike Flanagan, the brilliant mind behind shows like ‘The Haunting of Hill House‘ and ‘Doctor Sleep,’ has taken on the challenge of weaving a story that’s as psychologically gripping as it is eerie. Alongside him, ‘Speak No Evil’ creator James Watkins promises to demonstrate his mastery of tension and dread, which brings a pulse-pounding edge to the mix. James Gunn has made it very clear that this isn’t your typical superhero fare as the new Clayface is being crafted as a full-fledged horror film, with each DC installment allowed its own distinct tone to let the filmmakers’ personal visions shine.
Flanagan’s precision in psychological terror, combined with Watkins’ talent for suspense, promises a Clayface that reimagines what a superhero movie can feel like. Dark, emotionally resonant, and unapologetically frightening. Even the smallest touches hint at a meticulously constructed world because the set photos from Liverpool reveal the Gotham City courthouse motto, the famous “Sic Parvis Magna,” which is definitely a sly nod to the Arkham games, serving us as an Easter egg without suggesting a crossover with Matt Reeves’ ‘The Batman.’
Psychological Terror Meets Superhero Spectacle in Clayface
Max Minghella’s casting as a Gotham detective hints at a living and breathing city that extends beyond Clayface’s monstrous transformation. There is even speculation and theories by fans about ties to the animated ‘Creature Commandos‘ series, where Clayface’s shapeshifting powers are used to manipulate, infiltrate, and are really terrifying in nature. If adapted here by James Gunn and his team, then his abilities could be leveraged in psychologically unsettling ways, merging horror with the tragic arc of a once-promising actor turned monstrous metahuman for us to witness.
Gunn has confirmed the film will likely carry an R rating, meaning it’s sadly a no-show for the kids, but it definitely sounds promising as a body-horror sequence merged alongside character-driven storytelling. In essence, honestly, we feel that Clayface truly aims to be far more than a simple origin story. It’s a bold experiment, fusing horror, superhero spectacle, and deeply human drama. By blending multiple comic interpretations with a fresh, cinematic lens, DC is transforming a classic character into something visceral, haunting, and unforgettable, which is a testament to the creative risks Gunn and his team are willing to take, while embracing this new chapter of the universe that we can not wait for.
