After Superman and Supergirl, Clayface is set to be the next cinematic offering from the new DC Extended Universe (DCU), finding itself in a somewhat precarious position. The DCU's journey has been a tale of two halves so far: on one hand, the Lanterns series on HBO Max is reportedly a critical and audience success, with climbing viewership. If its season finale maintains this momentum, it could be a significant win for the nascent universe.
However, the massive box office disappointment of Supergirl last June looms large, raising concerns for the early stages of this interconnected universe. This is especially pertinent as Warner Bros. is currently undergoing an acquisition by Paramount Skydance, putting all operations under the scrutiny of a potential new leadership.
Amidst this uncertainty, Clayface emerges as the next big screen event. Centered on Clayface, one of Batman's iconic foes, the film is pitched as a horror movie. Its departure from the tone of Superman and Supergirl sparks genuine curiosity, offering a fresh perspective within the DCU.
A Face of Clay, A Glimmer of Hope
We often lament the uninspired posters churned out by major Hollywood productions, which makes appreciating compelling counter-examples all the more satisfying. Clayface continues to impress with its latest poster, which is both simple and effective. It features actor Tom Rhys Harries' face, transitioning slice by slice from Matt Hagen into the monstrous Clayface, bathed in an ominous red light that underscores the horrifying metamorphosis. This imagery is a stark contrast to typical comic book film marketing, reinforcing the promise of a true "horror film."
And as we were writing this article, another poster was released.
For those unfamiliar, Clayface, or Gueule d’argile in French, was created by Bob Kane in 1940. In the comics, the character initially appeared as Basil Karlo, a B-movie actor who turns to crime, adopting the persona and mask of a villain he played in a horror film. Over the years, the character has evolved and taken on several identities.
For the 2026 film, inspiration is drawn from the beloved Batman: The Animated Series by Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski, which portrayed Clayface as a more tragic and visually striking villain. Renamed Matt Hagen, he was a talented actor working for the unscrupulous industrialist Roland Daggett, hoping to obtain samples of a cream that could conceal his monstrous disfigurement. After disobeying orders, he was forced to ingest the miraculous substance, transforming him into Clayface.
It's worth noting that Clayface has already appeared in the DCU, specifically in the Creature Commandos series, where Alan Tudyk lent his voice to the character.
The marketing strategy for Clayface is understandably different from that of Superman and Supergirl. It's a less universally recognized character, and the film boasts a comparatively modest budget of "only" $40 million, according to The Hollywood Reporter. This is a fraction of Superman's $225 million and Supergirl's $170-180 million, and even less than the first Joker film in 2019 ($50-70 million).
Originally penned by Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House, Doctor Sleep) and directed by James Watkins (Eden Lake, The Woman in Black), Clayface is slated for a theatrical release on October 21. There's a real possibility this film could surpass Supergirl's $126 million box office performance.