DC Studios is building its new cinematic universe with a clear “story and script first” philosophy, betting on a wide variety of tones and genres to create a dynamic and engaging world. This strategy allows for everything from massive blockbusters to more focused, director-driven projects, such as Clayface, an R-rated horror film that promises to show a darker corner of the DCU. With production now underway, new information has started to emerge from the set, as passionate fans have been capturing photos of the Gotham City being built for the film. These behind-the-scenes glimpses are already revealing intriguing new details about Clayface‘s plot and its place within the larger DC continuity.
New images leaked from the set of Clayface offer the first look at Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen, the man destined to become the titular monster. Crucially, the set photos seem to confirm the film is adapting the character’s iconic comic book origin. In the source material, Hagen is a famous actor who suffers a career-ending disfigurement in a horrific accident. In his desperation, he exposes himself to mysterious chemicals that temporarily restore his appearance but also grant him dangerous shapeshifting abilities. Leaked photos of a man covered in bandages leaving a hospital, presumably Harries, strongly suggest the film is depicting this very accident and its immediate aftermath. That’s not exactly a surprise, as Clayface’s script is being based on Batman: The Animated Series, which followed a similar story structure.
Other details from the Gotham City set provide further context for the world of Clayface. Leaked images show newly designed Gotham City Police Department vehicles, which sport a look distinct from those seen in Matt Reeves’ The Batman. This visual choice deliberately underlines that the DCU is its own separate continuity, establishing a fresh version of the iconic city. More importantly, fans have spotted graffiti that reads “The Jokers,” a direct reference to the Clown Prince of Crime. As an entry in a shared universe, Clayface exists within a world already populated by heroes and villains. However, this detail serves as the first concrete reference to the DCU’s timeline, implying that both Batman and the Joker are already established and active figures in Gotham by the time Matt Hagen has his fateful accident.
Clayface Is the True Test of the DCU’s Success
The creative team behind Clayface includes director James Watkins, working from a script co-written by modern horror master Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini. While the film promises a unique horror-centric take on a classic villain, its most significant contribution to the new DCU may be its financial model. The film has a reported budget of approximately $45 million. That figure is a mere fraction of the $225 million spent on the franchise’s flagship title, Superman. This budgetary distinction is a fundamental test of the entire DC Studios strategy, as a universe that can support both epic tentpoles and genre-specific stories is built for long-term health and creative diversity.
While a blockbuster like Superman needs to achieve massive global box office numbers just to become profitable, a lower-budget film has a much clearer path to significant financial returns. For instance, the break-even point for Clayface, if it sticks to its budget, will be around $110 million, a tiny part of Superman’s entire theatrical run. So, if an R-rated horror movie can generate a substantial profit for DC Studios, it will prove that the universe’s financial stability does not have to ride solely on the shoulders of its most expensive productions. On the contrary, these smaller projects can become reliable sources of income, allowing the studio to take bigger creative swings on its larger films.
Clayface is scheduled to be released in theaters on September 11, 2026.
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