The DC Studios is constructing a fresh cinematic universe, emphasizing storyline and script as their primary focus. This approach permits a diverse range of moods and styles, resulting in a vibrant and immersive setting. This strategy allows for everything from grand action films to intimate director-led projects like the R-rated horror film “Clayface”, which promises to unveil a grittier aspect of the DC Universe. With production now active, there’s been a surge of information leaking from the set, as enthusiastic fans have been snapping photos of the Gotham City being built for the movie. These backstage peeks are already disclosing fascinating new plot details about “Clayface” and its connection to the broader DC timeline.
Photographs from the set of ‘Clayface’ provide the initial glimpse of Tom Rhys Harries portraying Matt Hagen, who transforms into the main character. Significantly, these images appear to verify that the movie is adhering to the character’s well-known comic book origin. In the original storyline, Hagen was a renowned actor whose career took a downward turn following a ghastly accident. Desperate for a solution, he encounters strange chemicals that temporarily restore his appearance while also granting him harmful shape-shifting powers. Photos of a man wrapped in bandages departing from a hospital, possibly Harries, hint at the movie presenting this exact accident and its immediate aftermath. This development is not entirely unexpected, as the ‘Clayface’ script is inspired by ‘Batman: The Animated Series’, which mirrored a similar narrative structure.
A Joker reference was spotted on the set of ‘Clayface’
Grafitti says ‘The Jokers’
@lilyfnrose
— Culture Crave (@CultureCrave) August 30, 2025
Additional elements from the Gotham City production offer additional insight into the universe of Clayface. Recently leaked images display revamped GCPD vehicles, distinct from those featured in Matt Reeves’ The Batman. This design decision emphasizes that the DCU is a standalone continuity, introducing a new rendition of the famous city. Most notably, attentive fans have found graffiti reading “The Jokers,” linking directly to the Clown Prince of Crime. As part of a shared universe, Clayface is set within a world already inhabited by heroes and villains. However, this particular detail marks the first clear reference to the DCU’s timeline, suggesting that both Batman and the Joker are well-established figures in Gotham City before Matt Hagen experiences his life-changing accident.
Clayface Is the True Test of the DCU’s Success
The team responsible for the creation of “Clayface” comprises director James Watkins, who collaborated on the script with contemporary horror maestro Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini. The movie offers a fresh, horror-oriented twist on an iconic villain, but its potential impact on the new DC Universe could be primarily seen in its financial structure. The film is projected to cost around $45 million, which is significantly less than the $225 million invested in the franchise’s main title, “Superman”. This budgetary gap serves as a crucial benchmark for the entire strategy of DC Studios, as a universe capable of accommodating both monumental blockbusters and specialized genre stories promotes longevity and creative variety.
As a fan, I’ve noticed that for blockbuster movies like Superman to turn a profit, they need to rake in enormous sums at the global box office. On the other hand, lower-budget productions, such as Clayface, have a more straightforward route to substantial financial success. For instance, if Clayface stays within its budget, it only needs to gross around $110 million to break even – a tiny fraction of what Superman made in its entire theatrical run. This means that an R-rated horror movie could potentially generate significant profits for DC Studios, demonstrating that the studio doesn’t need to solely rely on their most expensive productions for financial stability. Instead, these smaller projects can serve as dependable sources of income, enabling the studio to take bigger creative risks with their larger films.
Clayface is scheduled to be released in theaters on September 11, 2026.
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2025-09-01 08:49