The new DC Studios movie, titled Clayface, follows the dramatic story of Matt Hagen, a B-movie actor whose career is cut short after the disfigurement of his face. In a desperate attempt to regain his appearance, he turns to a scientist who transforms his body into clay, turning him into an iconic villain of the Batman universe. Clayface was first introduced in Detective Comics #298 and, over the years, has gained notoriety among DC fans, rivaling other iconic villains like The Penguin and Two-Face.
Body horror picture show
We can now see the teaser trailer for Clayface, which marks a shift towards a horror aesthetic compared to the latest DC productions. The teaser begins with a disturbing image of a bandaged eye covered in blood, suggesting that the film will move away from the heroic tone that other projects have followed under the direction of James Gunn and Peter Safran.
Originally, Mike Flanagan, known for his work on series like The Haunting of Hill House, was set to direct the film, but his schedule prevented him from continuing, leading to James Watkins taking over the direction. Watkins has experience in the horror genre thanks to his work on The Woman in Black. Additionally, the script was rewritten by Hossein Amini, known for his versatility in various film productions.
The advance also includes multiple nods to characters and groups from the DC universe, creating an atmosphere of anticipation among fans. Clayface focuses on a body horror story, which reinforces Gunn’s interest in exploring horror themes, an element that has been part of his career since his beginnings with Slither. With this approach, the film positions itself as one of the most intriguing bets within the DC Studios universe.