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While James Gunn recently confirmed Clayface’s lead actor, reports suggest the Dcu feature might be eyeing Max Minghella to star alongside Tom Rhys Harries. The Handmaid’s Tale star is poised to expand his caliber by venturing into the DC universe for the first time with a compelling supporting role (via Deadline).

The deal has not been closed yet. However, the film is set to release on September 11, 2026, which means production needs to start soon, hinting at a possible finalization in the upcoming weeks. If cast, Minghella will be seen playing the role of John, a Gotham City police detective. We can expect a role confirmation once Minghella’s casting becomes official.

Every Confirmed Cast Member in James Gunn’s Clayface Max Minghella in The Handmaid’s Tale (Credit: MGM Television)

Before the Max Minghella news broke out, Tom Rhys Harries’ role as Matt Hagen, the main character of Gunn’s upcoming Dcu feature,...

Max Minghella is in talks to star in Clayface.The Handmaid's Tale actor is set to join Tom Rhys Harries - who takes the title role in James Watkins' upcoming movie - and Naomi Ackie in the comic book movie centred around the Batman villain, though Deadline reports he hasn't yet closed a deal.It is currrently unclear what role Max is in line to play.The body horror thriller is focused on the supervillain and his appearance-altering powers, with comparisons to the feel and structure of 1986 classic The Fly.That film followed a relationship between a scientist (Jeff Goldblum) fused with the DNA of a fly, and the journalist (Geena Davis) writing about the discovery.For Clayface, a B-movie actor's life is changed for ever when his face gets disfigured by a gangster.He desperately seeks out a scientist for help, and while the experiment is initially a success,...

Gerard Butler's career began in the mid-1990s with brief appearances in the James Bond movie, Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) and Tale of the Mummy (1998). During the early 2000s, Butler continued to star in franchise films, playing the eponymous role in Dracula 2000 and appearing in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life (2003).

Butler achieved major fame as King Leonidas in Zack Snyder's 300 (2007). Beginning in 2010, he voiced Stoick the Vast in the animated How to Train Your Dragon franchise and reprised the role in the recent live-action remake. The same decade, he starred as a Secret Service agent in three Has Fallen movies.

Butler continued building his action résumé with roles in Geostorm (2017), Den of Thieves (2018), and the disaster drama Greenland (2020). In 2023, he starred in the airborne thriller Plane, and now, one of Gerard Butler's action thrillers has gained unexpected popularity on streaming.

Kandahar Becomes A Streaming Hit

Kandahar has become a streaming hit,...

Update: Though the deal hasn't closed just yet, Deadline has confirmed that Minghella is in talks. THR notes that he will play "a Gotham City police detective who is dating the scientist [Naomi Ackie]."

Original story follows.

Following the recent news that Naomi Ackie is in talks to join the cast of DC Studios' Clayface movie, we're hearing that Max Minghella is also being eyed for a key role.

According to Nexus Point News, Minghella would play a character named John, "a detective and fiancé to Caitlin Bates, who’s suspicious of his fiancée’s relationship with Matt Hagen/Clayface."

We're not sure if Minghella is actually in negotiations as of yet, but Ackie is now believed to have been officially offered the role of Bates, while Tom Rhys Harries will play Hagen.

Though this is just a rumor for now, the source has been scooping the trades with major...

It looks like Max Minghella is joining the DC Universe!

On Monday (August 11), it was revealed that the 39-year-old The Handmaid’s Tale actor is in final negotiations to join the cast of the upcoming Clayface movie from Speak No Evil director James Watkins.

It has been previously announced that Welsh actor Tom Rhys Harries will be playing the titular character while Naomi Ackie will also be starring in the movie.

Keep reading to find out more…Clayface “centers on an ascending actor (Harries) whose face is disfigured by a gangster. As a last resort, the actor turns to a fringe Elizabeth Holmes-style scientist (Ackie) for help,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Max would be playing a Gotham City police detective, who is dating the scientist.

Clayface is expected in theaters on September 11, 2026.

The upcoming R-rated Batman horror movie in the DC Universe adds another cast member. With Dcu's Chapter 1: "Gods and Monsters" set to encompass numerous movies and TV shows under DC Studios, one of the projects that is getting ready to start filming is the Clayface film, which will bring one of Batman's most iconic villains to the big screen.

Even though it wasn't initially part of the slate, the Clayface movie became a later addition to Chapter 1: "Gods and Monsters" after DC Studios was impressed with Mike Flanagan's pitch. Now, James Watkins is set to direct. While plot details are still heavily kept under wraps, Clayface is being envisioned as an R-rated horror installment for the Dcu.

The Hollywood Reporter reveals that Max Minghella is in final negotiations to join the Clayface movie, which will star Tom Rhys Harries as the titular character. According to the trade,...

A few months ago, Speak No Evil director James Watkins was hired to take the helm of DC’s Clayface after Mike Flanagan was originally developing the project. It was, then, recently learned that Tom Rhys Harries (Kandahar) had signed on to star in the film as the titular character. Additionally, Mickey 17‘s Naomi Ackie was also announced to secure the lead female role in the film. And just last week, there was talk that Harries might be joined in the cast by Max Minghella (Spiral: From the Book of Saw).

Deadline is now updating that Minghella is currently in talks to join the film, but a deal has not yet been closed. Max Minghella is reportedly in the mix to play John, a detective and fiancé to Caitlin Bates, who’s suspicious of his fiancée’s relationship with Matt Hagen/Clayface. James Gunn has admitted that he had...

Max Minghella, one of the stars of Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale, is in final negotiations to join the cast of Clayface, the next DC Studios movie heading into production.

Minghella will join Tom Rhys Harries and Naomi Ackie in the horror movie being directed by Speak No Evil director James Watkins. It goes into production this fall in the UK.

Mike Flanagan wrote the script for Clayface, a body-horror thriller centered on a Batman villain known for his ability to alter his appearance

The project is described as having shades and structure of The Fly, David Cronenberg’s 1986 feature that starred Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis and centered on the tragic relationship between a scientist who becomes fused with the DNA of a fly and the journalist writing about his discovery.

Clayface, which sources have said will have a budget in the mid-$40 million range, centers on an ascending...

DC is switching up tones big time from Superman to Clayface next year, with the body horror movie set for theatrical release via Warner Bros. on September 11, 2026.

Deadline reports today that Max Minghella (Spiral: From the Book of Saw) is now in talks to join the cast, alongside the previously announced Tom Rhys Harries (The Gentlemen) and Naomi Ackie (Blink Twice). Rhys Harries will be playing the movie’s title character.

James Watkins (The Woman in Black, Speak No Evil) will direct from a script by Mike Flanagan (“The Haunting of Hill House,” Doctor Sleep) and Hossein Amini (Drive).

The project is being compared to David Cronenberg’s The Fly.

The story centers on an actor who injects himself with a substance to remain relevant, only to find out that he can reshape his face and form, becoming a walking piece of clay.

James Gunn’s DC Studios co-ceo Peter Safran...

Max Minghella, the Emmy-nominated Handmaid’s Tale actor, is in talks to join DC Studios’ Clayface, which will hit theaters September 11, 2026.

A deal hasn’t closed yet, but when it’s finaled, Minghella would join Tom Rhys Harries, who has the title role in the James Watkins-directed genre movie, andMickey 17‘s Naomi Ackie.

DC Studios didn’t respond to comment.

The production is being primed to shoot at Warner Bros Leavesden studio in the UK.

Long known as a villain to Batman, Clayface was semi-successful actor in the comics. After turning to a life of crime, he takes on the identity of a character he once portrayed in a horror movie. The nemesis has appeared in myriad DC series, animated works, videos games and other media throughout the years.

DC’s James Gunn and Peter Safran are producing Clayface along with The Batman filmmaker Matt Reeves and Lynn Harris.

The new DC Comics cinematic universe exploded into theaters this summer with Superman, and is set to return next year with Supergirl. But what does the future hold beyond that? Warner Bros. boss David Zaslav gave us a peek behind the Source Wall when he revealed that James Gunn, the DC head honcho who penned and helmed Superman, is putting on both capes again for the next entry in the "Super-Family" story.

According to reports, during the company's quarterly earnings call, Zaslav stated that fan-favorite Gunn will write and direct "the next installment in the Super-Family." What that means, of course, is up for debate. It could simply mean a Superman 2, which has certainly been justified by the film's rapturous reception and boffo box office; Gunn has also said that he's busy "sequel writing." However, it could also be a team-up of Superman and his Kryptonian cousin Supergirl,...

Back in 2021, filmmaker Mike Flanagan let it be known on social media that he was interested in making a “standalone horror/thriller/tragedy” movie that would center on the Clayface character. A while after that, he confirmed that he had met with veteran DC movie producer Jon Berg to pitch a “horror-leaning” take on Clayface, as well as ideas for the DC properties Scarecrow, Justice League Dark, and Constantine. The meeting “kind of went nowhere.” But then, in March of 2023, Deadline broke the news that Flanagan had scheduled another Clayface pitch meeting, this time with DC Studios bosses James Gunn and Peter Safran. And at the end of last year, it was announced that Flanagan is officially writing a Clayface movie that will be part of the DC Universe film franchise that’s being overseen by Gunn and Safran. A few months ago, Speak No Evil director James Watkins was hired to take the helm,...

Clayfacehas continued to round out its cast with one of the stars of The Social Network. Less than a year ago, it was announced that Mike Flanagan's Clayface script would be getting a Dcu movie, with a release date set for September 2026. Director James Watkins, best known for Speak No Evil, signed on to direct Clayface, aiming to be an R-rated body horror movie.

Nexus Point News is reporting that Max Minghella has been cast in Clayface. Minghella is best known for his work in films like The Social Network, The Ides of March, Babylon, and the hit television series The Handmaid's Tale. He will play an original character, a detective named John, who is the fiancé of Caitlin Bates (Naomi Ackie), the doctor who gives Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries) the serum that turns him into Clayface.

A body-horror comic book adaptation like Clayface seems more like Minghella's...

Following the recent news that Naomi Ackie is in talks to join the cast of DC Studios' Clayface movie, we're hearing that Max Minghella is also being eyed for a key role.

According to Nexus Point News, Minghella would play a character named John, "a detective and fiancé to Caitlin Bates, who’s suspicious of his fiancée’s relationship with Matt Hagen/Clayface."

We're not sure if Minghella is actually in negotiations as of yet, but Ackie is now believed to have been officially offered the role of Bates, while Tom Rhys Harries will play Hagen.

Though this is just a rumor for now, the source has been scooping the trades with major casting news for months at this stage, so we're inclined to believe this is on the level.

Clayface's story will reportedly "center on an ascending actor whose face is disfigured by a gangster. As a last resort,...

If you’re a superhero movie fan, the next couple of years are going to be absolutely wild. We’re talking about the kind of movie lineup that makes you want to start camping outside theaters already. The MCU is finally reaching the explosive finale of its Multiverse Saga. Meanwhile, DC Studios is building something completely fresh!

Both studios are entering critical phases that could define superhero cinema for the next decade. So let’s dive into every confirmed Marvel and DC movie hitting theaters in 2026 and 2027, because trust us, you’re going to want to know what’s coming.

1. Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (DC) Release Date: June 26, 2026 Director: Craig Gillespie Cast: Milly Alcock, Jason Momoa, Matthias Schoenaerts, Eve Ridley Announcement Poster of Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow | Credits: @jamesgunn/Instagram

Okay, can we talk about how excited we are for this one? Milly Alcock absolutely killed it in that brief Superman appearance,...

It's not a bird, it's a plane. The new Superman movie has just flown past a massive milestone at the box office. This week, the James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy) interpretation of the DC superhero passed the domestic gross of $291 million. Why is that number important? Because it is the total that 2013's Man of Steel made domestically back when it premiered. The new iteration of the ultimate DC hero is officially the highest-grossing solo Superman movie in history.

Per Box Office Mojo, Superman is now at $292 Tk million domestically — which isn't a huge advantage but, at the very least, it suggests that David Corenswet (Twisters) has been welcomed by North American audiences with (mostly) open arms. Despite some controversy regarding what the new version of the superhero represents, the movie has kept a steady performance at the box office that signals to the new Dcu that audiences...

James Gunn confirma que el casting no comenzará hasta tener el guion definitivo. © DC

DC Studios continúa dando forma a su renovado universo cinematográfico. En su hoja de ruta, Wonder Woman prepara su regreso bajo una nueva mirada creativa. De acuerdo con The Wrap, Ana Nogueira será la guionista de la próxima aventura de Diana de Themyscira. Nogueira también ha firmado el libreto de la próxima cinta de Supergirl (actualmente en fase de postproducción), así como lo está haciendo con el proyecto en desarrollo de Teen Titans en acción real.

El propio Gunn se ha pronunciado en redes sociales, dejando claro que el proceso de casting aún está lejos de comenzar: «No vamos a hacer un casting para WW, ni siquiera hablar de ello, hasta que el guion esté terminado». El cineasta ha insistido en que, si bien la heroína es una prioridad dentro del nuevo Dcu, el estudio no...

Before introducing Batman in Brave and the Bold, the Dcu will dive into the Dark Knight's rogues' gallery with the R-rated body horror Clayface. Wolf King actor Tom Rhys Harries is expected to star as Matt Hagen, a Gotham-born actor who transforms into the shapeshifting monster Clayface. Speak No Evil director James Watkins will deliver Clayface on a low $40 million budget based on a reportedly strong script from Doctor Sleep writer Mike Flanagan. 

According to The Hollywood Reporter (THR), Mickey 17 and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker actress Naomi Ackie is in early talks to join Clayface. The Welsh actress reportedly emerged as the frontrunner after reading sessions took place in the U.K. last week and will shortly begin formal negotiations for the Dcu horror. But that wasn't all, as THR went on to share the first plot details for Clayface.

In its report, THR revealed that...

We recently learned that Tom Rhys Harries will play the title role in DC Studios' Clayface movie, and THR is now reporting that the project may have found its female lead.

Naomi Ackie is in talks to join the cast, but no details on her role have been disclosed. There's a chance she will play Matt Hagen's love-interest, Dr. Caitlin Bates, who did not originate in the comics.

Nexus Point News recently shared the following character breakdown: "CEO of a biotech startup seeking to create cutting edge medicine and medical technology. Bates sees Hagen as a way to grow her company and cure his condition. Throughout the process she falls in love with him while her fiance John grows suspicious of their relationship."

The trade does reveal a few more plot details, noting that the story "centers on an ascending actor whose face is disfigured by a gangster. As a last resort,...

The upcoming Dcu movie about Clayface, starring Welsh actor Tom Rhys Harries, is shaping up to be a fresh take on the character. Unlike the usual portrayal of Clayface as a villain, this film will explore a different side of him.

This info comes from talks back in March 2023, when filmmaker Mike Flanagan and his partner Trevor Macy met with James Gunn and Peter Safran to discuss the project.

At that point, it wasn’t clear if the movie would be part of the main DC Universe or an Elseworlds story. The character is also expected to appear in Matt Reeves’s The Batman: Part II set for 2027.

By December 2024, DC Studios officially gave the green light to the Clayface film, with Mike Flanagan writing the script. Peter Safran compared the tone of the movie to the 1986 body horror film The Fly, which is about a scientist’s tragic transformation.

The upcoming Clayface movie from DC Studios is starting to take shape, and new details have given fans a clearer picture of what to expect. The film, which is set to release on September 11, 2026, will star Welsh actor Tom Rhys Harries in the lead role and will be one of the first major solo projects of the new DC Universe era under James Gunn and Peter Safran.

Back in March 2023, filmmaker Mike Flanagan and his producing partner Trevor Macy pitched a unique idea to Gunn and Safran. They wanted to do a Clayface movie that didn’t treat the character like a typical comic book villain.

At that time, it wasn’t clear whether the film would be part of the main DC Universe or if it would be released under the “Elseworlds” banner. It also came around the same time there were rumors Clayface might appear in Matt Reeves’s The Batman: Part II.

On June 17, 2025, at the tail end of a long search, Dcu commander-in-chief James Gunn announced that Tom Rhys Harries was officially cast as Clayface. Although originally meant to be a part of Matt Reeves and Robert Pattinson‘s Elseworlds franchise, the Gotham villain will now be taking up permanent residence in the Chapter One prime timeline.

Meanwhile, Harries’s casting piqued the curiosity of DC fans all over the world due to the Welsh actor’s relative anonymity in Hollywood. Now, his recent spy action thriller, Kandahar, is soaring on streaming platforms as fans try to become familiar with his work before Clayface lands in Dcu.

Despite the dismal ratings that Kandahar suffered in the 2 years since its release, the DC casting has indirectly raised Gerard Butler‘s spy profile on HBO as the film now dominates at #3 in the streamer’s top 10 movies charts by FlixPatrol as of July...

Naomi Ackie is reportedly in early talks for Clayface.The 32-year-old actress - who has appeared in the likes of Mickey 17 and Blink Twice - is said to be in initial discussions to join Tom Rhys Harries in Mike Flanagan's take on the Batman villain.According to The Hollywood Reporter, several sources have revealed that formal negotiations are set to get underway this week.Ackie is said to have joined in reading sessions in the UK last week, and emerged as a favourite for Dcu bosses.Speak No Evil director James Watkins will be at the helm, with Rhys Harries playing the titular role from a script written by The Haunting of Hill House director Flanagan.The body horror thriller is focused on the supervillain and his appearance-altering powers, with comparisons to the feel and structure od 1986 classic The Fly.That film followed a relationship between a scientist (Jeff Goldblum...

The Dcu's 2026 Batman villain film was not a part of James Gunn and Peter Safran's original 10-year plan for the new DC Studios franchise, but it was just too good to pass up. Most projects within Chapter 1 (officially deemed "Gods and Monsters") of the Dcu have not received release dates or even production start dates yet, but that is not the case for 2026's Clayface. That movie, which will be the first villain-led movie in the franchise, is set to be released on September 11, 2026, and has just recently cast its lead actor, Tom Rhys Harries.

According to James Gunn, he and Peter Safran were not planning on developing a Clayface film in the opening chapter of the Dcu. However, once he read horror filmmaker Mike Flanagan's script for the film, he simply couldn't say no to greenlighting the project.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly while promoting Superman,...

Tom Rhys Harries (The Gentlemen) is set to star as the DC character in the upcoming horror movie Clayface, and THR reports that Naomi Ackie (Blink Twice) is now also in talks.

THR notes, “Reading sessions took place in England last week with Ackie emerging as the choice. Formal negotiations are due to begin this week, according to several sources.”

The outlet also reports, “The project is described as having shades and structure of The Fly,” with David Cronenberg’s 1986 remake being the specific point of comparison here.

Currently in pre-production, Clayface – described as a “complete horror film” – is expected to shoot later this summer for a September 11, 2026 theatrical release via Warner Bros.

James Watkins (The Woman in Black, Speak No Evil) will direct from a script by Mike Flanagan (“The Haunting of Hill House,” Doctor Sleep) and Hossein Amini (Drive).

The story centers on an actor who injects himself...

The upcoming DC Universe movie Clayface may have found its female lead, and all it took was for DC Studios to journey to a galaxy far, far away.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Naomi Ackie is the top choice for the female lead role in Clayface. Sources state that, following reading sessions last week in England, DC is due to begin formal negotiations with the actor this week. If cast, Ackie would become the second actor to board the Dcu project, after Tom Rhys Harries, who was tapped back in June to play the titular shapeshifting Batman villain. While no character details for Ackie's role were shared, she will likely be playing scientist Dr. Caitlin Bates, an original character created specifically for Clayface, who was first mentioned in a recent report on the movie by Nexus Point News. THR alludes to Dr. Bates in its article, mentioning her only as...

Back in 2021, filmmaker Mike Flanagan let it be known on social media that he was interested in making a “standalone horror/thriller/tragedy” movie that would center on the Clayface character. A while after that, he confirmed that he had met with veteran DC movie producer Jon Berg to pitch a “horror-leaning” take on Clayface, as well as ideas for the DC properties Scarecrow, Justice League Dark, and Constantine. The meeting “kind of went nowhere.” But then, in March of 2023, Deadline broke the news that Flanagan had scheduled another Clayface pitch meeting, this time with DC Studios bosses James Gunn and Peter Safran. And at the end of last year, it was announced that Flanagan is officially writing a Clayface movie that will be part of the DC Universe film franchise that’s being overseen by Gunn and Safran. A few months ago, Speak No Evil director James Watkins was hired to take the helm,...

Naomi Ackie is currently in early talks and is being eyed to star opposite Tom Rhys Harries in DC Studios’ “Clayface,” TheWrap has learned.

“Clayface” centers on Matt Hagen (Rhys Harries), a rising actor whose life is upended after a brutal attack leaves him disfigured. Ackie would play Dr. Caitlin Bates, an original character and biotech CEO who serves as Hagen’s love interest.

James Watkins, who directed last year’s remake of the Danish thriller “Speak No Evil” for Universal, is set to direct. Screenwriter Hossein Amini, best known for scripting 2011’s “Drive,” wrote the most recent draft of “Clayface.” Mike Flanagan wrote the previous draft of the script.

The film will be produced by Matt Reeves and Lynn Harris, with production commencing this fall.

Known as one of Batman’s most unique villains in his rogues gallery, Clayface was originally introduced in the vintage DC Comics as Basil Karlo,...

Clayface recently cast the titular Batman villain, but the upcoming Dcu film has now found its female lead. Written by horror maestro Mike Flanagan and directed by James Watkins (Speak No Evil), Clayface is the next DC film to head into production after Supergirl.

According to Deadline, DC Studios has narrowed down its search for the female lead in Clayface to Naomi Ackie. While negotiations are in the early stages, it appears Ackie is slated to join the Dcu alongside Tom Rhys Harries in the body horror thriller. Although Ackie's character was not named in the report, another outlet has slipped some details about the film. The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Ackie is in early talks to join Clayface, and also revealed a brief plot synopsis that seemingly unveils who she is meant to play in the feature.

"Clayface, which sources have said will have a budget in the mid-$40 million range,...

DC Studios is making some serious headway with Clayface, its unexpected and eerie entry into James Gunn and Peter Safran’s rebooted DC Universe. The Hollywood Reporter is reporting today that Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and Mickey 17 star Naomie Ackie, 32, is in early talks to join the cast of the upcoming film, which will be directed by Speak No Evil’sJames Watkins. Ackie would join rising Welsh actor Tom Rhys Harries, who has already been cast in the title role, playing one of the most bizarre and tragic characters from Batman’s rogues gallery. According to insiders, casting sessions recently took place in England, where Ackie emerged as the top choice. Formal negotiations are expected to begin this week.

The movie, written initially by Mike Flanagan with a recent polish by Hossein Amini, is described as a “body horror thriller” with structural and emotional echoes of David Cronenberg’s The Fly.

Naomi Ackie, the multi-faceted actress from Mickey 17 and Blink Twice, is joining the Dcu in Clayface.

Ackie is in early talks to join the up-and-coming Welsh actor Tom Rhys Harries, who is playing the titular supervillain in the movie from Speak No Evil director James Watkins. Reading sessions took place in England last week with Ackie emerging as the choice. Formal negotiations are due to begin this week, according to several sources.

Mike Flanagan wrote the script for Clayface, a body horror thriller centered on a Batman villain known for his ability to alter his appearance.

The project is described as having shades and structure of The Fly, David Cronenberg’s 1986 that starred Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis and centered on the tragic relationship between a scientist who becomes fused with the DNA of a fly and the journalist writing about his discovery.

Clayface, which sources have said will have...

Exclusive: We are hearing that Sorry, Baby and Mickey 17 actress Naomi Ackie is the top choice for the female lead in DC Studios’ Clayface, about the Batman antagonist.

While it’s still early in the dealmaking process, if she accepts the part, Ackie will star opposite Welsh actor Tom Rhys Harries in the James Watkins-directed genre movie. We were first to tell you about Harries and Watkins’ attachment to the process.

Clayface will be shooting at Warner Bros Leavesden studio in the UK.

Word is leaking about Ackie and Clayface at an exciting time for DC. Its first movie under studio label bosses Peter Safran and James Gunn, Superman, is coursing to $409 million worldwide, another comeback for superhero movies. DC is heading to San Diego Comic-Con this week strutting its stuff for the second season of HBO’s Peacemaker.

Clayface is a shape-shifting villain in the Batman comics and...

James Gunn Defends Dcu’s Bold Turn With Clayface ( Photo Credit – Wikimedia )

James Gunn is putting in the work to bring DC back to its long-lost glory. After years of inconsistent storytelling and half-baked universe plans, Gunn’s leadership as co-head of DC Studios has already begun to shift the tide. With the recent release of Superman earning both critical acclaim and fan approval, the future is looking brighter than it has in a long time. But just as audiences are getting comfortable, Gunn has thrown a curveball: his next major Dcu project is not another superhero epic but a full-blown, R-rated horror movie. The film? Clayface.

Everything to know about Dcu’s R-rated project, Clayface

The idea of giving Clayface, traditionally a Batman villain, his own solo film wasn’t in the original Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters slate. But that changed after horror maestro Mike Flanagan pitched a bold,...

In case there’s any doubt in the wake of Superman, James Gunn confirms that the DC Universe’s take on Clayface is a horror film.

“Although it’s in the same universe, it’s a complete horror film,” Gunn told CBS Mornings.

“There’s not a company style. It’s not like every movie is gonna be like Superman,” he continues. “The artists and the directors and the writers that create each one will bring their own sense to it.”

Currently in pre-production, Clayface is expected to shoot later this summer for a September 11, 2026 theatrical release via Warner Bros.

James Watkins will direct from a script by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini.

It’s described as a Hollywood horror tale centering on a B-movie actor who injects himself with a substance to remain relevant, only to find out that he can reshape his face and form, becoming a walking piece of clay.

As the upcoming R-rated Batman horror movie gets ready for production, James Gunn explains why the DC Universe needs the film. One of the surprise additions to the Dcu slate is Clayface, which was initially not part of Chapter 1: "Gods and Monsters" until DC Studios got the pitch from Mike Flanagan.

While the Dcu's Batman reboot is still in the works, fans will be getting to meet one of the Dark Knight's most famous villains before Bruce Wayne shows up in the franchise. Set to be an R-rated horror film, Clayface will star Tom Rhys Harries as the titular DC foe.

During a new CBS Mornings interview, Gunn elaborated more on how the R-rated Clayface film stands out from other upcoming Dcu releases and how DC Studios isn't running a "company style" format on all their respective projects. For Gunn, it's imperative that the audience gets something unique...

With the trades reporting that DC Studios is finally fast-tracking a Wonder Woman movie, we're one step closer to seeing Diana Prince back in theaters where she belongs. 

It initially looked like we'd have to wait for the Amazon, with James Gunn and Peter Safran instead prioritising the Themyscira-set Paradise Lost. The TV series hasn't taken shape, though, and DC Studios appears to have listened to fans eager to see DC's A-Listers on screen, not just B-Listers like Booster Gold and Swamp Thing.

Appearing on The Box Office Podcast, The Wrap's Umberto Gonzalez revealed that, when it comes to casting Wonder Woman, DC Studios is searching for an actress with a television background, similar to Supergirl star Milly Alcock. She was best known for House of the Dragon before being tapped to play Kara. 

In other words, they're searching for someone who isn't necessarily a household name with several big movies on their IMDb page.

James Gunn’s new Dcu is off to a strong start with Superman soaring to the number one spot at the box office amidst good reviews. During an interview, Gunn teased plans for the franchise’s future, with a movie focusing on Batman villain Clayface set to start production soon.

We’ve got Clayface we’re making, which is like a totally different thing, although it’s in the same universe. It’s a complete horror film.

Gunn made the above comment during a conversation with CBS Morning, revealing what fans can expect from Clayface, which is set to be directed by James Watkins and star Tom Rhys Harries in the lead role. Here’s what Gunn’s Clayface comments mean for the Dcu Batman and why it’s an exciting update after Superman.

James Gunn’s Clayface Reveal Means Dcu Batman Can Be Dark and Gritty DC Studios co-ceo...

We have more coverage from James Gunn's chat with CBS Mornings, and this time, the DC studio chief is discussing Clayface, the upcoming Dcu feature film from director James Watkins (See No Evil).

James Gunn has emphasized that the DC Universe will aim to offer a wide variety of storytelling styles, ensuring each film feels unique.

He clarified that while the newly released Superman sets the tone for that character’s world, it shouldn’t be seen as a template for every DC Studios project. Each entry in the Dcu is expected to stand on its own, bringing something fresh and distinct.

"We've got Clayface, which is a totally different thing. Although it's in the same universe, it's a complete horror film. That's one of the things we want to do- there's no company style. It's not like every movie is going to be like Superman. The artists- the directors and the writers,...

A new Clayface movie is officially on the way, and fresh reports are giving fans a clearer picture of what to expect. According to Nexus Point News, the film will tell a dark and disturbing story about a struggling Hollywood actor who ends up turning into a monster made of clay.

DC Studios has described the film as an R-rated body horror that will show the tragic origins of one of Batman’s classic villains.

The movie was originally thought up by horror filmmaker Mike Flanagan, known for Doctor Sleep and The Haunting of Hill House. Flanagan first became interested in Clayface back in 2021 and kept pitching his idea to DC. In March 2023, Flanagan and his producing partner Trevor Macy met with DC Studios bosses James Gunn and Peter Safran to talk about the project.

Reports say that from the start, the idea was for Clayface to be more than just a typical villain.

A new Clayface movie is officially happening, and now fresh details are coming out about what fans can expect from the film. New report from Nexus Point News claims Clayface will be a dark, body horror story about a struggling actor who ends up becoming a monster made entirely of clay.

The movie was first imagined by filmmaker Mike Flanagan, known for The Haunting of Hill House and Doctor Sleep. Flanagan had been interested in Clayface since 2021 and pitched the idea to DC several times.

In 2023, he met with DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran to discuss the project. Interestingly, Clayface won’t be a typical villain in this film, which is different from how he’s usually shown in the comics. Safran has compared the tone of the movie to the classic horror film The Fly from 1986.

In December 2024, DC Studios finally approved Flanagan’s script and...

Robert Pattinson’s The Batman was a sobering experience for everyone involved in how effortlessly beautiful his Dark Knight would look when placed within James Gunn‘s Dcu. As a young, amateur, and budding superhero with his whole arc left untouched, Battinson would be the perfect counter to David Corenswet‘s bright-eyed and optimistic Superman.

But it was not meant to be. One of the first acts from the executive desk of James Gunn after his appointment as the head of DC Studios was to relegate Pattinson’s Batman to an Elseworlds universe. Now, a new Clayface update makes things even more bizarre for DC as the villain effortlessly migrates from The Batman‘s universe to the Dcu with no strings attached whatsoever.

Clayface Migrates From Robert Pattinson’s Elseworlds to James Gunn’s Dcu Clayface star Tom Rhys Harries in Britannia (2017) [Credit: Amazon Prime Video, MGM+]

What was supposed to be the headline...

After the box-office opening weekend success of Superman, it's clear that DC Studios and the new DC Universe continuity are off to a strong start. Fans won't have to wait long for more Dcu content, as there are also two more feature films due in 2026. The first is Supergirl, and the second is a slightly unexpected film that was not part of the original Gods and Monsters slate when James Gunn and Peter Safran first took over DC Studios: Clayface.

Clayface was born out of a script written by Mike Flanagan, whose horror work, like the series Midnight Mass and the film Doctor Sleep, has earned him critical acclaim in the genre. Gunn and Safran's excitement over the script would lead to the project being fast-tracked, with James Watkins (Speak No Evil remake) set to direct with Tom Rhys Harries as the lead. Now, thanks to an exclusive report from Nexus Point News,...

Last month, we learned that Welsh actor Tom Rhys Harries will play the lead character in DC Studios' Clayface. The movie is based on a story by The Fall of the House of Usher's Mike Flanagan (Drive writer Hossein Amini penned the latest draft), with Speak No Evil director James Watkins at the helm.

Clayface was not among the projects announced by DC Studios at the start of 2023, making it a surprise addition to the "Chapter 1 - Gods and Monsters" slate. However, for James Gunn, it's all about story when it comes to which Dcu projects receive the green light, and this one fit the bill in the filmmaker and studio executive's eyes.

Nexus Point News has shared some additional details today, confirming that Clayface will revolve around Matt Hagen, with an amalgamation of his and Basil Karlo's comic book backstory.

The site reveals that, "Hagen is a handsome, up...

In just the last 72 hours, give or take, Superman has had an impressive $217 million opening weekend. James Gunn has officially ushered in his Dcu with the David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan film, which sports an 83% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In reaction to the success of the film, Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav shares the lofty goals for the Dcu. Deadline reports that Zaslav says:

“This weekend, we watched Superman soar as James Gunn’s passion and vision came to life on the big screen. Superman is just the first step. Over the next year alone, DC Studios will introduce the films Supergirl and Clayface in theaters and the series Lanterns on HBO Max, all part of a bold ten-year plan. The DC vision is clear, the momentum is real, and I couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead.”

James Gunn Shares Heartfelt Thanks for ‘Superman’s Success

Gunn,...

What, exactly, is going on with DC? The answer is, a lot.

After an aborted attempt by Zack Snyder to create a unified universe of characters and subsequent successful one-offs like “Joker” and “The Batman,” Warner Bros. installed James Gunn and Peter Safran as the new co-CEOs of DC Films, under which they will build out an interconnected Dcu of films, TV shows and video games over the next eight to 10 years.

That universe officially got off and running with “Superman,” written and directed by James Gunn, a colorful and buoyant and unabashedly comic book-y adaptation introducing David Corenswet’s Kal-El to the world. The film’s opening weekend box office and assurances from Wbd boss David Zaslav seem to indicate this DC reboot’s going to stick, at least for now. And there’s a lot in the pipeline.

As for those other DC movies that have already been...

Alan Tudyk is taking the Dcu by storm with roles in Creature Commandos and even Superman, but one project from the star that’s more than 20 years old just got an exciting update. Tudyk featured alongside his Superman co-star Nathan Fillion in Firefly, the sci-fi TV show that was released in 2002 and ran for only one season. Gina Torres, Morena Baccarin, Adam Baldwin, and other stars also had roles in the series.

Earlier this year at Emerald City Comic-Con, Tudyk announced that he was reuniting with his Firefly co-star Fillion for the podcast Once, We Were Spacemen, but he declined to share many details about the project at the time. However, Collider’s Maggie Lovitt recently moderated a panel for Tudyk at Denver FanExpo, where one audience member asked if Tudyk could talk any more about the project. While he once again didn’t go into specifics, he did explain...

Will ticket sales be up, up and away as “Superman” takes off at the box office?

The comic book adventure, starring David Corenswet as the Man of Steel, is aiming for $120 million to $130 million domestically in its opening weekend. However, Warner Bros. and independent tracking services are divided on where the initial ticket sales will land. The studio is offering a more conservative estimate of $100 million to $110 million, while others are projecting that strong reviews could propel the debut above $140 million. “Superman” is expected to collect at least $100 million at the international box office, though that’s likely a cautious estimate as well.

Although forecasts are all over the place, “Superman” is bracing for a hero’s welcome on the big screen. That’s would be a relief because the $225 million-budgeted tentpole has the lofty ambition of relaunching the DC Universe. That’s after the last iteration of the comic...

DC Studios' head James Gunn names the one obscure comic book character who he wants for a Dcu project.

Speaking to ScreenRant, Gunn responded to the question of what niche DC Comics character he would like to explore in the Dcu by saying, "Everybody knows I love Bat-Mite. Bat-Mite's like… my man. He's creepy as hell." Gunn added, "I think I’ve got to do something with Bat-Mite someday."

"I don’t know how to do it – unless Matt’s doing it in his script," Gunn said, referencing The Batman writer-director Matt Reeves, whose script for the upcoming The Batman sequel has been a source of major news in recent weeks. "I got his script yesterday and haven’t had a chance to read it yet. Maybe Matt Reeves put Bat-Mite in the script. If you did, Matt, I'm going to be really, really stoked. Instant green light."

Introduced in...

It's safe to say that Gerard Butler has easily established himself as one of the great action stars of this generation. From Olympus Has Fallen and its many sequels, to Plane and the Den of Thieves franchise, Butler is everywhere these days, much to the chagrin of critics who haven't been very kind to the actor's efforts. Case in point: Butler's 2023 action thriller Kandahar, which, despite being called things like "mindless" and "predictable," continues to be a streaming hit on Tubi.

Debuting on the free streaming service last month, Kandahar quickly became a smash, storming its way to the top of the charts. Now, a month later, it remains in the Top 10, sitting comfortably at #8 at the time of this writing, sandwiched between Jean-Claude Van Damme's 1994 sci-fi thriller Timecop, and Noah Wyle's 2004 action adventure romp The Librarian: Quest for the Spear.

Hitting theaters on May 26, 2023, Kandahar was inspired...

DC Studios co-ceo James Gunn addressed the apparent recasting of Clayface for his 2026 solo villain movie. Gunn made big promises from the begining that his Dcu will use the same actors across live-action and animation, over both film and TV. This is already being felt as actor Frank Grillo voiced Rick Flag Sr. in Creature Commandos and will soon bring him to live-action in Superman and Peacemaker Season 2. 

DC Studios confirmed that Apple TV+'s Suspicion actor Tom Rhys Harries will play Clayface in the Batman villain's 2026 horror movie. This marks a recast after Clayface made his Dcu debut in last year's animated Creature Commandos where he was voiced by Alan Tudyk.

One fan responded to DC Studios co-ceo and Clayface executive producer James Gunn on Threads pointing out the apparent recast. In response, he noted that the Dcu "would plan on using Primary actors whenever [they] can," indicating this may...