# ‘Clayface’ Director James Watkins on the Tragic Ending, Joker Easter Eggs and His Star’s Secret Injury

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/clayface-director-james-watkins-on-the-tragic-ending-joker-easter-eggs-and-his-stars-secret-injury/
- Published: 2026-10-26T22:54:43+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-26T23:15:25+00:00
- Original publisher: The Hollywood Reporter
- Original article: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/clayface-director-tragic-ending-joker-easter-eggs-1236740387/

## Key points

- *Clayface* opened to $46.5 million worldwide.
- Audiences gave the horror film an A- CinemaScore.
- Tom Rhys Harries filmed with a torn ACL.

## Summary

James Watkins says *Clayface*’s strong audience response has made its difficult production worthwhile, while describing the film as a tragedy about actor Matt Hagen’s loss of identity and transformation into a Batman foe. He also credits DC Studios leaders James Gunn and Peter Safran for giving him time after his father died during post-production.

Tom Rhys Harries, who plays Hagen, kept a torn ACL secret until a scene involving a jump and fall; the crew then adjusted the stunt to protect him. The article reports a $46.5 million global opening against a $44 million production budget, a 94 per cent audience score and an A- CinemaScore, alongside a 75 per cent critics score.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.