The upcoming Clayface film will serve as the DC Universe’s first deep dive into Gotham City, establishing the territory’s atmosphere before the Dark Knight makes his official debut. While the film introduces the “shadow” of Batman to the franchise, the narrative prioritizes the origin story of the shapeshifting antagonist.
Scheduled for theatrical release on October 23, 2026, Clayface marks a significant structural shift for the DCU. DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn confirmed that the film takes place before the events of 2025’s Superman, making it the earliest chronologically set live-action project in the new cinematic universe to date. This positioning allows the franchise to build the reputation of Gotham City as a grounded, grit-filled environment before moving into the broader superhero narratives of The Brave and the Bold.
The film stars Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen, the man who eventually becomes the monstrous Clayface. This version of Hagen is the same individual voiced by Alan Tudyk in the animated series Creature Commandos, providing a rare live-action prequel to an animated counterpart. Director James Watkins has emphasized a focus on the body-horror elements of Hagen’s transformation rather than typical superhero crossovers.
To differentiate this version of Gotham from previous cinematic iterations, Watkins is reportedly leaning into a grounded visual style. This choice reflects the film’s status as a standalone horror-tragedy that exists within the DCU continuity but remains narratively distinct from Matt Reeves’ The Batman franchise.
By establishing Gotham’s tone through the lens of one of its most tragic villains, the DCU aims to create a sense of history for the city. Although casting for the DCU’s official Batman remains unconfirmed as of October 2026, Clayface is designed to establish the world he inhabits and the specific brand of criminality that necessitates the Caped Crusader’s eventual arrival.
