Mickey 17 star Naomi Ackie reportedly in talks to star in DCU's Clayface, details explored in depth

Naomi Ackie is reportedly in talks to join James Gunn and Peter Safran's DCU with their upcoming Clayface movie. If the deal is confirmed, she will join Tom Rhys Harries who is set to become the titular Batman villain.

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The English actress was busy in March 2025 with the theatrical release of Bong Joon Ho's sci-fi black comedy, Mickey 17, alongside Robert Pattinson, Mark Ruffalo, and Toni Collette. Ackie also starred in Eva Victor's buzzy Sundance hit, Sorry, Baby, which recently received its wider theatrical release in the US by A24. Last year, the actress also headlined Zoë Kravitz's feature directorial debut, Blink Twice, alongside Channing Tatum.

Ackie's potential co-star, Welsh actor Tom Rhys Harries, is a rising star who recently appeared alongside Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche in Uberto Pasolini's The Return. He rose to fame through his roles in the Netflix series White Lines and the Apple TV series Suspicion. Harries starred alongside Oscar-nominated Sandra Hüller in Sisi & I (2023).

What do we know about DC's Clayface so far?

Clayface follows Matt Hagen, an actor who goes through an experimental medical procedure that leaves him disfigured. It transforms him into a clay-like shape-shifting creature, who can shape himself into anyone he comes across. He appears as a villain against Batman in the DC comics.

"The Return" Gala Screening - Arrivals - Source: Getty

Based on these details, the film is expected to be a body horror thriller. Naomi Ackie is expected to play Dr. Caitlin Bates, a biotic CEO and Matt Hagen's love interest. James Watkins will direct the film. He has previously helmed other horror films such as Speak No Evil (2024) and Eden Lake (2008).

The first draft was reportedly written by the classic Horror auteur Mike Flanagan, widely known for directing shows like The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass, and The Fall of the House of Usher, among others. Eventually, the latest draft was written by screenwriter Hossein Amini, known for writing Ryan Gosling's Drive (2011) and the Oscar-nominated screenplay for The Wings of the Dove (1998).

What do we know about DC's future projects?

Superman is the first official project from the DC studios, which also kick-starts their DCU slate. It begins with Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, under the helm of the new CEOs Peter Safran and James Gunn. They will return with another feature film in 2026, titled Supergirl, which stars Milly Alcock from House of the Dragon.

The Batman - Special Screening - VIP Arrivals - Source: Getty

The DC studios will also bring a new chapter of Batman, starring Robert Pattinson as the Caped Crusader, in a film co-written and directed by Matt Reeves. However, it will reportedly not be a part of DCU.

As the second season of John Cena's Peacemaker is on its way for a streaming premiere in August, DC has revealed a few more details about their Clayface project, expected to star Naomi Ackie.

What other projects is Naomi Ackie working on?

Naomi Ackie, who is expected to star in Clayface, has won a BAFTA for her performance in the Netflix series, The End of the F***ing World. She also played the lead role in the Whitney Houston biopic, I Wanna Dance with Somebody (2022). In 2019, Ackie starred in J. J. Abrams' Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker.

Naomi Ackie will soon be seen in Netflix's The Thursday Murder Club. She is also slated to star in Boots Riley's upcoming sci-fi comedy, I Love Boosters. Hopefully, we will have more details about her projects soon.