DCU has finally found its Clayface

Clayface, the upcoming DCU film focusing on one of Batman’s most famous villains, has chosen its main lead. The film is part of DCU’s Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters. Though not part of the original lineup, the film is now officially in development. It will be released in theaters on September 11, 2026, and be directed by James Watkins.

According to Deadline, Welsh actor Tom Rhys Harries has been cast in the lead role, and the film is soon going to start pre-production.

Clayface will start Tom Rhys Harries as the main lead

Tom Rhys Harries has been cast as Clayface after a thorough casting process. He was selected from a group of strong British talents, including Jack O’Connell and Tom Blyth.

Harries is known for his work in Suspicion and Netflix’s White Lines. He’s also appeared in Kandahar, The Gentleman, and The Return. The actor trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. He made his West End stage debut in Mojo alongside Rupert Grint and Ben Whishaw.

James Gunn, co-head of DC Studios, confirmed Harries’ casting with a post on X, with high praise, saying,

“After a long and incredibly exhaustive search, we finally have our DCU Clayface in Tom Rhys Harries. Both Matt Reeves 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.”

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The movie will be produced by James Gunn, Peter Safran, Matt Reeves, and Lynn Harris. Chantal Nong serves as executive producer. The script was first written by Mike Flanagan, with additional drafts by Hossein Amini, the screenwriter behind Drive and The Wings of the Dove.

Clayface first appeared in Detective Comics #40 in 1940. The original version was an actor who turned to crime, inspired by a horror role he once played. The character’s most unique trait is his shape-shifting ability. His body is made of living clay, allowing him to transform into other people and forms.

The official description of the character states,

The tragic Clayface is a virtually indestructible shape-shifting monster who's both threatened Gotham City and served as an ally to Batman.

In Gotham City, people are never quite what they seem—sometimes literally. As one of the most skilled and dangerous shape-shifters in the DC Universe, Clayface is a complicated and multifaceted rogue who oozes in and out of different roles with the fluidity of the mud that makes up his body.

The character has earlier been voiced by Ron Perlman in the animated television series Justice League, by Alan Tudyk in the animated series Harley Quinn, and in the DC Universe (DCU) animated series Creature Commandos (2025). Brian McManamon played the character in the live-action television series Gotham.

Lorraine Burroughs played the character in the live-action television series Pennyworth, and now, Tom Rhys Harries will be portraying the villain in the upcoming live-action film Clayface (2026).

This film is the character's first solo appearance in live-action. With such a strong creative team, the movie is expected to stand out in the new DCU. Following Superman and Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, Clayface is one of the next big projects fans are waiting for.

Filming is set to begin this fall at Warner Bros. Leavesden Studios in the U.K. Clayface arrives in theaters on 11th September 2026.