DC Studios previously hired Mike Flanagan to write and James Watkins to direct “Clayface,” a feature film focusing on the DC Comics villain most notably associated with Bruce Wayne/Batman. With that, the studio has reportedly settled on an actor.
A report from Deadline has announced that Tom Rhys Harries has been selected to play the titular Clayface (we assume the Matt Hagen incarnation). The lesser-known actor’s credits include the recent Ralph Fiennes Greek epic “The Return,” the Uma Thurman series “Suspicion,” and a minor role in Guy Ritchie’s gangster flick “The Gentlemen.”
Created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane in 1940, it wasn’t until “Batman: The Animated Series,” like Harley Quinn, that Basil Karlo/Matt Hagen, aka Clayface, became a popular member of Batman’s ever-growing rogues gallery and was voiced by “Hellboy” actor Ron Perlman.
In that version, which is said to be the inspiration of this movie, is a failed actor who attempts to use a cosmetic from Roland Daggett that horribly disfigures him into a monstrous figure (we assume an homage to “The Blob” and “The Golem”) only to develop the supernatural ability to shapeshift and mimic the faces/bodies of others making him one of the more tricker villains along his abilities to turn his body into weapons.
Is “Clayface” a project that general audiences will go wild for?
That remains to be seen because it does feel like a bit of risk not only to attempt to give an obscure monster-like character their own theatrical movie over a series, but also the combination of hiring an actor that most won’t be even aware of is going to add extra pressure of DC Studios delivering a hit that is going to be quite troublesome to market if they don’t have bigger names involved (budget limitations after “Joker 2” misfiring?).
Then again, DC Studios’ James Gunn recently called the film’s script “f***ing good,” so the folks running things seem to see something others might not. “Superman” heads to theaters next month with Milly Alcock’s “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow” on deck for a release on June 26, 2026, that features former “Aquaman” actor Jason Momoa in his dream DC role of Lobo.
Warner Bros. had previously announced that “Clayface” will grace screens on September 11, 2026. Stay tuned for more casting announcements for the comic book project, as other actors are expected to be revealed in the coming weeks and months.
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