James Gunn has announced the new Clayface for the DCU. After what Gunn calls a “long and incredibly exhaustive search,” Tom Rhys Harries has officially landed the lead role in Clayface, the next major film from DC Studios following Supergirl.
Gunn and Reeves Were “Blown Away”
In a post on Threads, Gunn revealed the casting and praised Harries’ performance.
“After a long and incredibly exhaustive search, we finally have our DCU Clayface in @tomrhysharries,” posted Gunn. “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.”
The Clayface film begins shooting this October at Warner Bros. Leavesden in the UK and hits theaters September 11, 2026.
Who Is Tom Rhys Harries?
Harries is a Welsh actor known for roles in:
- Suspicion (Apple TV) opposite Uma Thurman
- The Return, opposite Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche
- Kandahar with Gerard Butler
- The Gentlemen from Guy Ritchie
- White Lines (Netflix)
Harries beat out several contenders for the part, including Jack O’Connell, Tom Blyth, and George MacKay.
Born in Cardiff and trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Harries also made a West End debut in Mojo alongside Rupert Grint and Ben Whishaw.
What’s Clayface About?
Clayface is set in the new DCU and being positioned as a low-budget horror-tragedy film. The story has been said to focus on a B-list actor who transforms into a shape-shifting being after using a mysterious substance to stay relevant.
In DC Comics, Clayface first appeared in Detective Comics #40 (1940). The character’s powers have evolved, but he’s traditionally depicted as a man-turned-monster capable of reshaping his body at will and a villain of Batman.
The film is directed by James Watkins (Speak No Evil), with a script initially written by Mike Flanagan and additional drafts by Hossein Amini (Drive, Obi-Wan Kenobi).
DC Studios Moving Forward
Gunn and Peter Safran are producing alongside The Batman director Matt Reeves and Lynn Harris. Clayface continues Gunn’s new DC slate, following Creature Commandos and Superman, which opens July 11, 2025.
DC Studios is expected to showcase new footage and updates at San Diego Comic-Con next month, including a look at Peacemaker Season 2 and possibly more from Clayface.
