DC releases Clayface trailer — body horror film hits theaters October 23

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DC Studios has released the official trailer for body-horror movie Clayface

It'll take shape in theaters worldwide on October 23

Viewers have plenty of questions about the forthcoming DC Universe film

DC Studios has released a new trailer for its next movie Clayface — and, as someone who's not a fan of body horror, it made me squeamish in the best way possible.

The forthcoming DC Universe ( DCU ) film, which will take shape in theaters worldwide on October 23, will see the Batman villain star in his first-ever solo flick. And, while its latest round of footage answers some big questions that audiences had about the comic book movie, it leaves casual viewers with even more.

Indeed, the teaser might finally pull back the curtain on how the titular shapeshifting character is created and why he embarks on a Gotham City-based quest for revenge. Nevertheless, there are myriad questions that the DCU Chapter One film's latest trailer, which arrived three months after Clayface 's first "super freaky" trailer , leaves unanswered.

For what it's worth, my guide on everything we know so far about Clayface provides clarity on some of the queries that are likely rattling around your head. If you don't have time to read through that extensive article right now, though, I've moulded a quick-fire Q&A below that'll shed light on your biggest burning questions. Bear in mind that potential spoilers immediately follow for Clayface , so proceed at your own risk.

Is Clayface in the same universe as The Batman?

The Batman Part II is currently slated to be released in early 2028 (Image credit: Matt Reeves/DC Studios) Let's get one of the most notable questions out of the way first: no, Clayface is not set in The Batman Universe.

That franchise, which stars Robert Pattinson as the titular vigilante and is helmed by Matt Reeves, is a completely separate entity to James Gunn's DCU. It's the latter — which also comprises Superman , Supergirl , Creature Commandos , and Lanterns — that Clayface is a part of.

Will Batman be in Clayface?

Batman was very, very briefly seen in Creature Commandos season 1 episode 6 (Image credit: Max/DC Studios) Another popular query I've seen floating around the internet since Clayface 's second trailer dropped. In short: no, Batman isn't expected to appear in this film.

"Why not?" you might ask. The short answer is Gunn and Safran haven't started the search for the DCU's Batman, let alone publicly announced which actor will play him.

Unless a stand-in — one likely silhouetted against the background, like the legendary Caped Crusader was in episode 6 of Creature Commandos on HBO Max — makes the briefest of cameos in Clayface , then, I'd temper your expectations over a possible appearance from the Dark Knight.

Is this the same Clayface who appeared in Creature Commandos?

We've already seen this version of Clayface before in the DC Universe (Image credit: Max) Yes. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly , Safran confirmed that the Clayface who appears in this film is the same one who had a role to play in Creature Commandos season 1.

Prior to Safran's comments on the matter, there had been some confusion as to which Clayface we'd see in this movie. After all, there have been numerous iterations of the character in DC Comics. Of that contingent, Basil Karlo and Matt Hagen are the most famous — and it's the second of that pair who'll not only appear in Clayface , but who also showed up in Creature Commandos .

Where does Clayface sit on the DCU timeline?

Clayface precedes what's happened in other DCU projects (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures) Clayface is the fifth DCU Chapter One project that'll see the light of day. Timeline-wise, though, it'll be the first one that audiences should watch if they choose to watch the DCU films and TV shows in chronological order — Gunn confirming as much on Threads in April.

Who plays Clayface?

Tom Rhys Harries is the actor behind the eponymous character (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures) That'll be Tom Rhys Harries, a Welsh actor who some readers will recognize from Doctor Who episode 'Dot and Bubble'.

According to Gunn, he and fellow DC Studios co-head Peter Safran were "blown away" by Harries' audition for Clayface 's lead role . Based on the footage we've seen this far, Harries seems like a great fit for the character, but we'll have to wait until the movie is actually released to be able to put Gunn's comments into their full context.

How did Clayface become Clayface? What's the plot of the DCU movie?

Matt Hagen will take part in a scientific trial to restore his heavily scarred face back to its original form (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures) Where the latter question is concerned, here's the flick's updated story synopsis: "Matt Hagen’s meteoric rise from Gotham street kid to Hollywood leading man is tragically cut short when a local crime boss' actions leave him horribly disfigured.

"Abandoned by his team and with nothing left, Matt seeks out a cutting edge treatment that miraculously returns him to his former self… but, also unexpectedly affects his grip on reality, spiraling him down a destructive path of all-consuming revenge."

As for Harries' Matt Hagen becomes the tragic, metamorphosizing villain, Clayface 's latest trailer and plot brief confirm that he'll be patient zero for an experimental serum that initially seems to heal him. However, it doesn't take long for this ground-breaking treatment's side effects to *ahem* take shape and turn him into a transmutating monster.

What are Clayface's powers?

Clayface has a number of superhuman abilities that make him a tough foe to overcome (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures) As his villainous alias implies, Clayface's mud-like physiology gives him the ability to mould his body in any way he sees fit. That means he can grow and shrink in size, alter his density at will, and is impervious to traditional physical attacks, including punches, kicks, and all kinds of weapons.

Furthermore, the metahuman possesses superhuman strength, durability, and reflexes. Lastly, he has the ability to regenerate, although that's a process that takes a long time, especially if, say, he's torn apart by an explosion of some sort.

Who's written and directed Clayface?

Mike Flanagan took inspiration from Batman: The Animated Series ' 'Feat of Clay' storyline for this flick (Image credit: DC) Horror auteur Mike Flanagan is the main man behind Clayface 's story. However, Hossein Amini ( Obi-Wan Kenobi , 47 Ronin ) also helped to pen its screenplay.

As for its filmmaker, James Watkins is the man behind the camera. His directing credits include Speak No Evil , The Woman in Black , and Black Mirror episode 'Shut Up and Dance'.

What is Clayface's movie rating?

Don't expect Clayface to be a PG-13 rated film (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures) Perhaps unsurprisingly, Clayface will carry a hard R-rating in the US. That's the equivalent of an 18 age rating in the UK and an Restricted (R18+) rating in Australia.

The DCU's other films in Superman and Supergirl were suitable for kids accompanied by an adult, but this one certainly won't be. Expect plenty more gross body horror moments, hyperviolent action, and other mature content to be woven through its sub-two hour runtime.

For more DCU coverage, find out everything we know so far about Lanterns and get the full lowdown on Superman film sequel Man of Tomorrow .