CinemaCon is rolling out major reveals this year, with previews for projects like Resident Evil and Godzilla Minus Zero already getting fans talking.
But one of the more unexpected standouts comes from DC Studios, which finally pulled back the curtain on its upcoming Clayface movie. The first footage has been shown, and it isn’t just another comic book adaptation, it’s something way more unsettling.
The footage leans hard into body horror right out of the gate. It cuts between a man with a severely damaged face wrapped in bandages and Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen. The imagery gets pretty intense, including a disturbing moment where the bandaged version of the character is missing an eyelid.
As the footage unfolds, we see footage of Hagen’s face break down and melt while he struggles to get a grip on whatever he’s turning into.
It doesn’t linger too long, but the clip ends by teasing Clayface’s full form in shadow. Even in silhouette, the design makes an impression, with a jagged, spiked fist and a face that looks like it’s constantly shifting and sliding apart. It’s a quick glimpse, but enough to make it clear that DC isn’t playing it safe with this character.
Clayface wasn’t originally part of the first DC Studios slate, but it gained traction thanks to strong reactions to the script and concept from James Gunn. The film is directed by Mike Flanagan, best known for The Haunting of Hill House, and that creative choice tells you a lot about the tone they’re aiming for.
Flanagan has been vocal about his love for the character. He actually pitched a Clayface movie before the current DC leadership was even in place. At the time, Warner Bros. Discovery passed on the idea, but once Gunn and Peter Safran stepped in, the project found its footing and moved forward quickly.
Flanagan has said the film draws inspiration from Batman: The Animated Series, which many fans still consider the definitive take on Clayface.
That version of the character balanced tragedy and horror in a way that stuck with audiences, and it sounds like this film is aiming for a similar emotional weight, just pushed further into full-on horror territory.
Gunn has also described the movie as a horror film, which lines up perfectly with what was shown in the footage. Between that approach, Flanagan’s track record, and Harries stepping into the role of Matt Hagen, this is going to be be a very horrific and different kind of DC movie.
