‘Clayface’ Trailer: Batman Villain Stars in DC Body Horror Movie

DC Studios has released the trailer for “Clayface,” which hits theaters on Oct. 23.

The horror film, which is directed by James Watkins, will track the origins of the shape-shifting villain, played by Tom Rhys Harries. Clayface, who starts as struggling actor Matt Hagen, receives a highly experimental medical procedure after his face is disfigured in a knife attack. Although the experiment is successful at first, things ultimately don’t go as planned, as the actor’s body turns into clay that reshapes itself into anyone’s appearance.

DC Studios gave theater owners a first look at the trailer during this year’s CinemaCon. It opens with Matt in a hospital bed with a bloody, bandaged face. After being attacked by a knife-wielding assailant, he’s injected with mysterious chemicals, which grant him his shapeshifting powers. We see Matt’s face morph in rapid succession, showing him without a mouth or eyes at some points. In the trailer’s final moments, we see him completely wipe away his face while in a bathtub. The trailer also shows Clayface’s shadow as he morphs his hand into a giant, mace-shaped fist.

Clayface is one of the earliest Batman antagonists, first introduced in 1940 as a washed-up actor turned criminal who wears a clay-like mask of a character he once played. In 1961, Clayface’s shape-shifting abilities were established. This is the character’s big-screen introduction after being portrayed in several live-action and animated “Batman” adaptations, including by Ron Perlman on “Batman: The Animated Series” in the 1990s, Brian McManamon on the 2010s Fox series “Gotham” and most recently by Alan Tudyk on the HBO Max animated comedy “Harley Quinn.”  

Harries’ other acting credits include “White Lines,” “The Gentlemen,” Uberto Pasolini’s “The Return” and “Suspicion.” Naomi Ackie will also star in the movie.

James Gunn launched his DC Universe with last year’s “Superman.” The studio has “Supergirl,” directed by Craig Gillespie, coming on Jun 26. Other upcoming DC titles include the “Superman” sequel “Man of Tomorrow,” set for July 9, 2027, and Matt Reeves’ “The Batman: Part II,” coming Oct. 1, 2027.

Check out the trailer for “Clayface” below.