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‘Clayface’ Hits Comic-Con: Director James Watkins Says DC’s R-Rated Horror Take Of Batman Villain Will Have “Ick And A Lot Of Gore” – Q&A
DC Studios’ forthcoming Clayface film will present the Batman villain as an R-rated body-horror story, according to director James Watkins at San Diego Comic-Con. Based on Mike Flanagan’s screenplay, it follows actor Matt Hagen after an experimental facial-restoration drug transforms his life, using the character to explore identity, celebrity culture and the consequences of a single decision.
Watkins said the film will include “ick and a lot of gore”, while DC co-head Peter Safran described it as the studio’s first horror film within its shared universe. Tom Rhys Harries plays Hagen, with the story drawing on the animated-series version in which the actor is manipulated after receiving a chemical treatment; the reported budget is $40 million, reflecting DC’s aim to make lower-cost genre films alongside major superhero releases.
In short
- Clayface will be an R-rated DC body-horror film.
- It explores fame, identity and transformation.
- DC reportedly made it for $40 million.
Explained simply
Clayface is a longtime Batman villain from DC Comics, traditionally depicted as a shape-shifting creature. The upcoming film reimagines this character as something quite different – a grounded story about an actor named Matt Hagen who undergoes a dramatic transformation.
The story begins when Hagen receives an experimental facial-restoration drug that profoundly changes his life. Rather than a traditional superhero film, it is a horror story that explores identity, celebrity culture and the far-reaching consequences of a single decision.
DC Studios is positioning this as part of a new approach to its films, making lower-cost genre pictures alongside major superhero releases. Clayface will be the studio's first official horror film within its shared universe, directed by James Watkins from a screenplay by Mike Flanagan, with actor Tom Rhys Harries in the lead role.