DC Studios’ upcoming horror-thriller Clayface has officially wrapped filming, marking a major milestone for one of the most unconventional entries in the new DC Universe slate. Directed by Speak No Evil’s James Watkins and written by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, the film stars Tom Rhys Harries as the shape-shifting Batman villain in a dark origin story that promises body horror, psychological suspense, and a tragic descent into monstrosity.
Principal photography began in August 2025 and concluded in early November, with Harries sharing cryptic behind-the-scenes photos on Instagram to celebrate the wrap. One image, later reposted by DC Film News, shows Harries seated beside a crew member outside a decorated trailer, the word “WRAP” scrawled across the frame. Inside, fans spotted balloons, drawings, and eerie handwritten messages like “Are you going 2 leave me?” and “Do you know what paradise is?”—potentially lines of dialogue from the film.
The film follows a washed-up B-movie actor in Hollywood who, desperate to stay relevant, undergoes a mysterious experimental procedure that allows him to reshape his face and body. As his transformation spirals out of control, he becomes the monstrous Clayface—a tragic figure caught between fame, identity, and horror.
Joining Harries are Naomi Ackie as a scientist central to the transformation and Max Minghella in an undisclosed role. While the film’s connection to the wider DCU remains unclear, insiders suggest it will stand alone as a character-driven horror tale, with minimal crossover and no expected Batman cameo.
With filming complete, Clayface now enters an extensive post-production phase, expected to last nearly a year due to the heavy reliance on visual effects. Practical effects glimpsed in set photos will be augmented by digital enhancements to bring Matt Hagen’s grotesque metamorphosis to life.
Clayface is slated for theatrical release on September 11, 2026, and is rated R for its intense horror elements. As DC Studios continues to diversify its storytelling under James Gunn’s leadership, this film could redefine what villain-centric cinema looks like in the superhero genre.
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