Clayface Trailer Teases DC Studios’ First Proper Horror Film

The upcoming DC Studios film Clayface has released a new trailer that teases the studio’s first proper horror movie, generating significant buzz among fans of the DC Universe and horror enthusiasts alike. The trailer opens with a striking image: an actor with a severely disfigured face, wrapped in bloody bandages, lying on a hospital bed. This visceral scene sets the tone for what promises to be a body horror exploration of the classic DC Comics villain.

Based on the character Matt Hagen from DC Comics, Clayface follows the tragic transformation of an actor whose face is disfigured during a film accident. Desperate to regain his appearance and career, Hagen turns to a scientist who subjects him to experimental procedures that ultimately turn his body into malleable clay. The film stars Tom Rhys Harries in the lead role of Matt Hagen / Clayface, alongside Naomi Ackie as the scientist, David Dencik, Max Minghella and Eddie Marsan in supporting roles.

Directed by James Watkins, known for his work on the horror film The Woman in Black, Clayface represents a significant shift in tone for DC Studios. While previous DC films have incorporated horror elements (such as the supernatural aspects of Swamp Thing or the psychological tension in The Batman), Watkins has emphasized that Clayface will be the studio’s first dedicated foray into the horror genre as a primary focus.

The film is produced by Matt Reeves, Lynn Harris, James Gunn, and Peter Safran, with Watkins taking over directorial duties after Mike Flanagan’s initial involvement. Flanagan, who originally conceived the project and co-wrote the screenplay with Hossein Amini, had to step down due to scheduling conflicts. Watkins was hired in February 2025, and Amini subsequently revised the script. Principal photography took place from late August to early November 2025, utilizing locations throughout Liverpool and soundstages at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in England.

Clayface is positioned as the third film in the newly established DC Universe (DCU), following Superman (2025) and The Batman: Part II (2025). It is scheduled for release by Warner Bros. Pictures on October 23, 2026. With a reported budget of approximately $40 million, the film aims to deliver a high-impact horror experience that stays true to the source material while expanding the cinematic possibilities of the DCU.

The trailer’s emphasis on practical effects and visceral body horror has been particularly well-received, signaling a commitment to tangible, unsettling transformations rather than relying heavily on CGI. This approach aligns with Watkins’ directorial style and the film’s intent to explore the psychological and physical toll of Hagen’s transformation.

As the DCU continues to expand its genre boundaries, Clayface stands out as a bold experiment in blending superhero mythology with genuine horror sensibilities. The film’s success could pave the way for more diverse genre entries within the franchise, appealing to both longtime comic fans and audiences seeking sophisticated horror narratives.

Clayface Trailer Teases DC Studios’ First Proper Horror Film

The upcoming DC Studios film Clayface has released a new trailer that teases the studio’s first proper horror movie, generating significant buzz among fans of the DC Universe and horror enthusiasts alike. The trailer opens with a striking image: an actor with a severely disfigured face, wrapped in bloody bandages, lying on a hospital bed. This visceral scene sets the tone for what promises to be a body horror exploration of the classic DC Comics villain.

Based on the character Matt Hagen from DC Comics, Clayface follows the tragic transformation of an actor whose face is disfigured during a film accident. Desperate to regain his appearance and career, Hagen turns to a scientist who subjects him to experimental procedures that ultimately turn his body into malleable clay. The film stars Tom Rhys Harries in the lead role of Matt Hagen / Clayface, alongside Naomi Ackie as the scientist, David Dencik, Max Minghella, and Eddie Marsan in supporting roles.

Directed by James Watkins, known for his work on the horror film The Woman in Black, Clayface represents a significant shift in tone for DC Studios. While previous DC films have incorporated horror elements (such as the supernatural aspects of Swamp Thing or the psychological tension in The Batman), Watkins has emphasized that Clayface will be the studio’s first dedicated foray into the horror genre as a primary focus.

The film is produced by Matt Reeves, Lynn Harris, James Gunn, and Peter Safran, with Watkins taking over directorial duties after Mike Flanagan’s initial involvement. Flanagan, who originally conceived the project and co-wrote the screenplay with Hossein Amini, had to step down due to scheduling conflicts. Watkins was hired in February 2025, and Amini subsequently revised the script. Principal photography took place from late August to early November 2025, utilizing locations throughout Liverpool and soundstages at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in England.

Clayface is positioned as the third film in the newly established DC Universe (DCU), following Superman (2025) and The Batman: Part II (2025). It is scheduled for release by Warner Bros. Pictures on October 23, 2026. With a reported budget of approximately $40 million, the film aims to deliver a high-impact horror experience that stays true to the source material while expanding the cinematic possibilities of the DCU.

The trailer’s emphasis on practical effects and visceral body horror has been particularly well-received, signaling a commitment to tangible, unsettling transformations rather than relying heavily on CGI. This approach aligns with Watkins’ directorial style and the film’s intent to explore the psychological and physical toll of Hagen’s transformation.

As the DCU continues to expand its genre boundaries, Clayface stands out as a bold experiment in blending superhero mythology with genuine horror sensibilities. The film’s success could pave the way for more diverse genre entries within the franchise, appealing to both longtime comic fans and audiences seeking sophisticated horror narratives.