Tom Rhys Harries Transforms Into Gotham’s Tragic Villain
As fans continue waiting for DC Studios to reveal who will wear the cape and cowl as the DC Universe’s Batman, another Gotham legend is preparing to make his big-screen debut. Rather than focusing on the Dark Knight himself, DC Studios is diving deep into one of Gotham’s most tragic and terrifying villains with Clayface.
Set within James Gunn and Peter Safran’s interconnected DC Universe, Clayface promises to blend psychological horror, emotional tragedy, and comic book mythology into one of the franchise’s darkest films yet. The movie transforms one of Batman’s most recognizable enemies into the centerpiece of a horror thriller that explores identity, revenge, and the cost of ambition.
Clayface Reimagines Matt Hagen’s Origin
Unlike previous live-action versions of the character, Clayface centers on Matt Hagen, portrayed by Tom Rhys Harries. Hagen’s life begins as a remarkable success story. Rising from the streets of Gotham City to become one of Hollywood’s brightest stars, everything changes after a brutal encounter with a local crime boss leaves him horribly disfigured.
With his career destroyed and those closest to him abandoning him, Hagen turns to an experimental medical treatment that appears to restore his appearance. However, the miracle comes with devastating consequences. As the treatment alters both his body and mind, Hagen gradually loses his grip on reality, descending into a terrifying quest for revenge that transforms him into the monstrous Clayface.
The new film leans heavily into body horror and psychological suspense, signaling a very different tone from previous DC films while remaining firmly connected to Gotham’s criminal underworld.
A Strong Cast and Acclaimed Creative Team
Joining Tom Rhys Harries is an impressive ensemble cast that includes:
- Naomi Ackie
- David Dencik
- Max Minghella
- Eddie Marsan
- Nancy Carroll
- Joshua James
Behind the camera, Speak No Evil director James Watkins helms the project from a screenplay by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini. The story originates from Flanagan, whose work on The Haunting of Hill House, Doctor Sleep, and The Fall of the House of Usher has made him one of modern horror’s most respected filmmakers.
The creative team also features cinematographer Rob Hardy, production designer James Price, editor Jon Harris, costume designer Keith Madden, and Academy Award-winning composer Volker Bertelmann.
What Clayface Could Mean for Batman’s Future
While Clayface stands on its own as a horror-driven origin story, its Gotham setting naturally raises questions about Batman’s future in the DC Universe.
With the DCU still building toward its version of the Caped Crusader through The Brave and the Bold, fans continue speculating about when—and who—will ultimately become Batman. Introducing one of Gotham’s most iconic villains before unveiling its Batman suggests DC Studios is carefully constructing the city’s mythology from multiple angles.
Whether Clayface eventually crosses paths with Batman remains to be seen, but his introduction adds another major member of Gotham’s rogues gallery to the expanding DCU.
As James Gunn continues laying the foundation for the franchise, Clayface appears poised to offer a horror-first interpretation of a classic DC villain while leaving audiences eager for the inevitable arrival of Gotham’s greatest hero.
Clayface arrives in theaters on October 23, 2026.
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Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis and the host of the Moviegoers Society and Reel Insights Podcast. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.
