Deadline officially broke the news that DC Studios’ “Clayface,” a new upcoming live-action adaptation set within the new DCU, has found its leading man in Welsh actor Tom Rhys Harries (“Suspicion”), who according to reports confirm that the Matt Hagen version of the character which many may recognize from the cult-classic animated series gem “Batman: The Animated Series” two-part episode “Feat of Clay” will be at forefront.
It should be noted that the character did make his DCU debut in episode five of “Creature Commandos,” where the character was voiced by actor Alan Tudyk (who has voiced the character before on the HBO MAX ‘Harley Quinn’ series).
The trade also revealed that Harris landed the role from a “highly competitive” list of names, which included Jack O’Connell (“28 Years Later”), Tom Blyth(“Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes”), Leo Woodall (“The White Lotus”), and George MacKay (“1917”). In addition, reports confirm that “Clayface” will begin shooting at Warner Bros Leavesden studio in the U.K.
In addition, according to a new social media post from the director and co-CEO of DC Studios, James Gunn, commented: “After a long and incredibly exhaustive search, we finally have our DCU Clayface in Tom Rhys Harries. Both Matt Reeves (“The Batman”) and I were just blown away by this guy, and can’t wait for you to see this film, directed by James Watkins and written by Mike Flanagan.
Gunn’s comments do generate and weave a small point of highly confident enthusiasm as the realm of DC comic-related media goes full force into the foreseeable future, with a variety of projects reaching closure development-wise, or starting to find footing in the pre-production stage.
With the film being next on the priority list for the newly formed studio, which looks to make an impressive opening debut at the theatrical foray as Gunn’s solo Superman film—which he also directed and penned—is set to debut next month on July 11 during the newly titled “Summer of Superman”. Whereas of late, the recent exposure to the film’s marketing has fans and the general public quite energized, as ticket sales have the Man of Steel’s latest reboot tracking towards up to $100 M at the box office.
Also, to add within a month after Superman lands in theaters, the second season of the hit HBO MAX series “Peacemaker” starring John Cena will drop its first episode on August 21st, offering a point of constructed timeline and development efficiency. Most notably with the confirmation that ‘Supergirl’ featuring Milly Alcock as the Girl of Steel from director Craig Gillespie has officially finished principal photography and filming, along with “Lanterns” (HBO MAX series) set to draw to a close in July as well, despite filming still hard at work, and in the realm of animation “Creature Commandos” has already been renewed for a second season, which reports confirmed that production has been greenlit as well.
“Clayface” is being produced by Gunn and Co-CEO Peter Safran, as well as The Batman filmmaker Matt Reeves and Lynn Harris. Chantal Nong is executive producer. Director Mike Flanagan (“The Life of Chuck”) wrote the first draft of “Clayface” with additional drafts by Oscar-nominated scribe Hossein Amini (“The Wings of a Dove” and “Drive”)
Fans can expect a return to the world of Gotham City when “Clayface” slips into theaters on Sept 11, 2026.
