DC’s upcoming film for ‘Clayface’ is also looking like it might be one of the most daring and disturbing entries yet in James Gunn’s ‘Chapter One: Gods and Monsters.’ With a release date set for September 11, 2026, this is certainly not your run-of-the-mill superhero origin story because it is meant to be a full-blown horror experience that explores themes of identity, ambition, and monstrosity. Based on a viral X post from DCU PRIME TV, a set photo has just been leaked that immediately caught everyone’s attention with a newspaper headline that read, “ACTOR MATT HAGEN DEAD!” This is certainly an unlikely title because, of course, this is a literal plot spoiler, and in doing so, it also very clearly indicates that the story will revolve around Matt Hagen, who is the second individual to ever assume the identity of Clayface in the history of DC Comics.
However, this version of Clayface is more than a straightforward tribute. This version of the DCU interpretation of Clayface is actually a brilliant mash-up of all of the different interpretations of the character in comic book form. Matt Hagen from Tom Rhys Harries is more than just a straightforward villain, for example. He is, in reality, a young and very promising actor whose life and career are turned upside down by a horrific disfigurement that requires him to turn to a maverick scientist, possibly Naomi Ackie, for a drastic and highly dangerous procedure. Instead of taking the approach of Hagen’s original comic book origin, whereby he was a treasure hunter who stumbled across an unusual protoplasmic material, this version of the character takes influence from Basil Karlo’s theatrical background, as well as from Preston Payne’s catastrophic accidental discovery during his experimental phase.
Flanagan and Watkins Brings Horror , While Gunn Brings a Bold DCU Twist
However, when it comes to what happens behind the camera, the movie has a lot to offer in terms of talent. As per the makers, audiences can expect a very scary and unconventional journey. Mike Flanagan, the mastermind of successful series such as ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ and ‘Doctor Sleep,’ has already taken the task of crafting a narrative that may be both mind-boggling and terrifying. Along with him, James Watkins of ‘Speak No Evil’ fame is going to show the world how he is a master of crafting suspense and horror, which will give this story an adrenaline rush like never before. James Gunn has already made it abundantly clear that the new Clayface will definitely not be your run-of-the-mill superhero experience since each DC series gets to have its own tone to allow the vision of the makers to come alive.
The attention to psychological terror that Flanagan brings to the table, together with Watkins’ skill in suspense, offers a promise of a Clayface that could reinvent what a superhero film could possibly feel like. Dark, emotionally engaging, and unafraid to be terrifying. Even the tiniest details point to a well-crafted world because, from the set pictures taken in Liverpool, the motto of the Gotham City courthouse is visible, the “Sic Parvis Magna,” which is surely a nod to the Arkham games, and it’s serving us an Easter egg without implying an intersection with Matt Reeves’ “The Batman.”
Psychological Terror Meets Superhero Spectacle in Clayface
A hint towards a living and breathing city that goes beyond the monster transformation of Clayface is given in Max Minghella’s casting as a detective in Gotham. Going beyond, there are even theories and speculations about it being linked to the animated series ‘Creature Commandos,’ where the shapeshifting abilities of Clayface are used for manipulation and are actually terrifying in nature. If that were to happen here as well, by the team of James Gunn, then his abilities can be harnessed for some psychologically unsettling purposes. In fact, Gunn has also revealed that the movie is expected to receive an R-rating, which means it’s a no-go for the kids, but it sounds absolutely promising as a body horror segment integrated together with character-driven narratives. In short, to be frank, we truly believe that Clayface is absolutely determined to be more than just an origin story. It is an ambitious attempt to combine horror, superhero elements, and human drama. By integrating various comic versions with a new cinematographic perspective, DC is turning a beloved character into something visceral, haunting, and unforgettable. This is truly a testament to the creative ambitions of Gunn and his team while embracing this new era of the universe that we can’t wait to see.
