The DC Universe (DCU) is going into scary new ground, and Welsh actor Tom Rhys Harries is the face of that fear. Fans finally got a scary look at what looks like it will be one of the most daring superhero movies ever when the first official video came out on April 22, 2026. Here’s everything you need to know about DC Studios’ first horror movie, Clayface.
Who Is Tom Rhys Harries?
While Tom Rhys Harries might not have been a famous international actor before, it won’t take long for him to become one. He has definitely demonstrated that he is a great actor from his performances in the movies White Lines, The Gentlemen, and Suspicion.
Tom Rhys Harries will play the role of Matt Hagen or Clayface. The very first image of the young actor was unveiled on the official Instagram page of the movie, depicting Tom Rhys Harries on the cover of the magazine as a “rising star.”
The Plot: From Rising Star to Shapeshifting Monster
Clayface depicts the journey of a man from being a rising star in Hollywood to becoming a monster driven by vengeance through the themes of losing oneself and being human, love as poison, and the ugly side of scientific endeavor.
Matt Hagen is an actor who gets his face mutilated after being attacked with a knife. After being injected with mysterious experimental chemicals, he gains shapeshifting powers — but things ultimately don’t go as planned, as his body turns into clay that can reshape itself into anyone’s appearance.
Hagen goes to a scientist, portrayed by actress Naomi Ackie, who makes him transform his body into clay. It is definitely a typical Faustian deal, but with some horrific practical effects and psychological terror.
Trailer of “Superman”: Horrific, Gruesome, and Irresistible
DC Studios showed the movie trailer for the first time to movie theaters at CinemaCon 2026. The trailer begins with Matt lying on the bed of a hospital with blood on his face. We see his face morph in rapid succession — at some points appearing without a mouth or eyes.
As per reports, it has been called “violent” and “highly disturbing” by the first viewers, representing a drastic change in tone from the previous DCU that had always focused on the pop-punk vibes created by Superman and Supergirl. The trailer was posted to social media by James Gunn with the tagline, “Look fear in the face.”
The Team Behind the Film
“Clayface” is helmed by James Watkins, a prolific genre director in Britain who made “Eden Lake,” “The Woman in Black,” and “Speak No Evil” along with the acclaimed episode of the TV show “Black Mirror.”
“Clayface”‘s screenplay was penned by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, with the latter co-authoring the script along with Flanagan. Although Flanagan later had to leave the production due to other work commitments, he still contributed a lot to this movie.
The film is produced by Matt Reeves, Lynn Harris, James Gunn, and Peter Safran.
A Different Kind of DC Film
DC Studios co-head Peter Safran previously explained their philosophy: “Not every movie has to be for everyone, but we want to have something for everyone.” Clayface is the clearest embodiment of that vision yet.
This is decidedly not the Clayface audiences remember from Batman: The Animated Series. In DC Studios’ live-action adaptation, the emphasis on the body horror of the protagonist’s origin is amplified. The director of the movie, Mike Flanagan, revealed that one of his main inspirations was “Batman: The Animated Series” two-part episode called “Feats of Clay”.
The Full Cast
Apart from Tom Rhys Harries, Naomi Ackie, David Dencik, Max Minghella, Eddie Marsan, Nancy Carroll, and Joshua James are starring in the film.
Release Date & DC Universe Context
Clayface is directed by the British filmmaker James Watkins, famous for his movies like Eden Lake, The Woman in Black, and the movie Speak No Evil Remake, as well as the episode Shut Up and Dance from the series Black Mirror.
The screenplay is written by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, based on an initial concept by Flanagan. Unfortunately, Flanagan could no longer be part of the project because of other engagements, but he still left his mark on the movie.
