If you’re not up to date on the muddy man-monster, here’s your basic briefing on Clayface as a character.
Created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, the original Clayface, Basil Karlo, appeared in Detective Comics #40, published in June 1940, as a B-list actor who began a life of crime using the identity of a villain that he had portrayed in a horror film.
Kane stated that the character was partially inspired by the 1925 Lon Chaney version of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ and that his name was derived from Boris Karloff and Basil Rathbone.
The Reporter’s sources say the story focuses on an ascending actor (Harries) whose face is disfigured by a gangster. As a last resort, the actor turns to a fringe Elizabeth Holmes-style scientist (Ackie) for help. Minghella will play a Gotham City detective dating Ackie’s character.
Where else can we see Max Minghella?
(L to R) Max Minghella, Olivia Thirlby, Emile Hirsch and Rachael Taylor in ‘The Darkest Hour’. Photo: Summit Entertainment.
He’s also a directed, having made ‘Teen Spirit’ and the upcoming ‘Shell’, which premiered last year at the Toronto International Film Festival and is in cinemas at the end of the week. The film stars Elisabeth Moss, Kate Hudson and Kaia Gerber.
Minghella most recently worked on the fourth season of HBO series ‘Industry’, which should be on screens next year.
When will the Clayface movie be in theaters?
The movie has a scheduled plan for a UK shoot at Leavesden Studios in place, and Warner Bros. and DC Studios are confirming a September 11th, 2026 theatrical release for ‘Clayface’.
(Left) Naomi Ackie stars in ‘Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody.’ (Right) DC Comics’ Clayface. Photo: DC Comics.
Preview:
Naomi Ackie is in talks to join the Clayface movie.
James Watkins is in the director’s chair.
Tom Rhys Harries has the lead role.
As ‘Superman’ continues to do solid business at the box office for James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Studios, attention is turning to the other titles that have been confirmed for their take on the DC Universe.
If you’re not up to date on the muddy man-monster, here’s your basic briefing on Clayface as a character.
Created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, the original Clayface, Basil Karlo, appeared in Detective Comics #40, published in June 1940, as a B-list actor who began a life of crime using the identity of a villain that he had portrayed in a horror film.
Kane stated that the character was partially inspired by the 1925 Lon Chaney version of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’; and that his name was derived from Boris Karloff and Basil Rathbone.
As for the tone of the movie itself, Deadline’s sources have heard that the Clayface movie is rumored to be a horror-thriller-tragedy, with the lead protagonist not expected to be portrayed as the notorious villain he’s usually seen as.
Where else have I seen Naomi Ackie?
Naomi Ackie in Tristar Pictures ‘Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody.’ Photo: Tristar Pictures.
In addition to the aforementioned roles in ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’ and ‘Mickey 17’, Ackie’s star has been on the rise for the last few years.
The movie has a scheduled production plan for a UK shoot at Leavesden Studios in place, and Warner Bros. and DC Studios are confirming a September 11th, 2026 theatrical release for this one.
(Left) Elizabeth Henstridge and Tom Rhys Harries in ‘Suspicion’, now streaming on Apple TV+. (Right) DC Comics’ Clayface. Photo: DC Comics.
Preview:
Tom Rhys Harries has won the lead in the Clayface movie.
James Watkins is in the director’s chair.
The movie is set for a September 2026 release date.
With the current cinematic incarnation of DC Studios, run by James Gunn and Peter Safran launching with Gunn’s take on the Man of Steel, another developing movie from the company took a positive step forward by narrowing in on its lead.
If you’re not up to date on the muddy man-monster, here’s your basic briefing on Clayface as a character.
Created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, the original Clayface, Basil Karlo, appeared in Detective Comics #40, published in June 1940, as a B-list actor who began a life of crime using the identity of a villain that he had portrayed in a horror film.
Kane stated that the character was partially inspired by the 1925 Lon Chaney version of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’; and that his name was derived from Boris Karloff and Basil Rathbone.
The character only appeared twice in the Golden Age but was the inspiration for the shape-shifting Silver Age version. And, as is usual in comic books, the name has been used for a number of similar takes on the character.
In the late 1950s, Batman began facing a series of science fiction-inspired foes, including Matthew Hagen, a treasure hunter given vast shapeshifting powers and resiliency by exposure to a pool of radioactive protoplasm, who became the second Clayface. He retained the title for the next couple of decades of comic book history.
In the late 1970s, Preston Payne became the third Clayface. A scientist suffering from hyperpituitarism, Preston Payne used the second Clayface’s blood to create a cure for his condition, but instead became a clay-like creature that needed to pass his new condition on to others to survive.
Sondra Fuller of Strike Force Kobra used the terrorist group’s technology to become the fourth Clayface, also known as Lady Clay. She formed the Mud Pack with the original and third Clayfaces. During this era, the original Clayface used the DNA of Payne and Fuller to become the Ultimate Clayface (talk about bragging!)
Sometime after the Mud Pack event, Payne and Fuller had a son named Cassius “Clay” Payne, who, as the fifth Clayface, also had metahuman shapeshifting powers.
That’s just a selection of the character’s alternates, who have appeared over the years in various films, series, animated works, video games and other forms of media.
Gunn and Safran have previously said that actors who play roles in the animated sphere for their DC Studios will also take on the live-action version, but we don’t know if that means Tudyk will return for the movie.
As for the tone of the movie, Deadline’s sources have heard that the Clayface movie is rumored to be a horror-thriller-tragedy, with the lead protagonist not expected to be portrayed as the notorious villain he’s usually seen as.
Where else have I seen Tom Rhys Harries?
(L to R) Kunal Nayyar and Tom Rhys-Harries in ‘Suspicion’, now streaming on Apple TV+.
Gunn’s big re-launch of DC-based movies kicks off next month with the launch of the aforementioned ‘Superman,’ featuring David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Supes and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. It’ll be in theaters on July 11th.
Batman, as played by Robert Pattinson in Matt Reeves’ ‘The Batman’ is staying around (a sequel, despite delays, is still being scripted), but he’s as part of the extended “Elseworlds” stories, which exist outside of the DC continuity.
Gunn and Safran’s original announcement also included mention that ‘Batman: The Brave And The Bold’, was in development, adapting Grant Morrison’s run comics run.
It features yet another Bruce Wayne who tries to keep his son, Damien Wayne, in line as Robin. It’s intended to launch the “Bat-family” into the movie universe, but has been hit with scripting issues and delays.
Finally, we have ‘Dynamic Duo’ — an animated feature about Batman’s Robin sidekicks Dick Grayson and Jason Todd — which is tentatively scheduled for June 2028.
“We have to treat every project as if we’re lucky. We don’t have the mandate to have a certain amount of movies and TV shows every year. So we’re going to put out everything that we think is of the highest quality. We’re obviously going to do some good things and some not-so-good things, but hopefully on average everything will be as high-quality as possible. Nothing goes before there’s a screenplay that I personally am happy with.”
When will the Clayface movie be in theaters?
With a director and star now aboard, and production plans for a UK shoot at Leavesden Studios in place, Warner Bros. and DC Studios are confirming a September 11th, 2026 release for this one.
(L to R) James McAvoy (as Dalton) and Director James Watkins on the set of ‘Speak No Evil’.
(Left) Director James Watkins on the set of ‘Speak No Evil’. (Right) DC Comics’ Clayface. Photo: DC Comics.
Preview:
James Watkins will direct the ‘Clayface’ movie for Warner Bros.
Mike Flanagan wrote the script.
The movie would land in theaters in 2026.
With its revamped cinematic universe set to take flight this July with James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ (and with ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’ in the works from Craig Gillespie as a follow-up), DC Studios –– run by Gunn alongside Peter Safran –– is making moves to hire another filmmaker.
Yet while he’s long accomplished as both a writer and director, he wasn’t expected to take up the main job on the Clayface movie, since he has commitments elsewhere, including to Universal’s continuing ‘Exorcist’ franchise.
But though DC Studios and parent company Warner Bros. have already been putting feelers (presumably dripping with clay) out about potential casting, the sharper focus has been on finding a director to bring Flanagan’s script to life.
According to the Reporter’s sources, DC co-chief Gunn met with Watkins last Thursday for a final presentation that led to the nod. But that’s just one stage –– a deal for Watkins to handle the movie will now be hammered out.
If you’re not up to date on the muddy man-monster, here’s your basic briefing on Clayface as a character.
Created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, the original Clayface, Basil Karlo, appeared in Detective Comics #40, published in June 1940, as a B-list actor who began a life of crime using the identity of a villain that he had portrayed in a horror film.
Kane stated that the character was partially inspired by the 1925 Lon Chaney version of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’; and that his name was derived from Boris Karloff and Basil Rathbone.
The character only appeared twice in the Golden Age but was the inspiration for the shape-shifting Silver Age version. And, as is usual in comic books, the name has been used for a number of similar takes on the character.
In the late 1950s, Batman began facing a series of science fiction-inspired foes, including Matthew Hagen, a treasure hunter given vast shapeshifting powers and resiliency by exposure to a pool of radioactive protoplasm, who became the second Clayface. He retained the title for the next couple of decades of comic book history.
In the late 1970s, Preston Payne became the third Clayface. A scientist suffering from hyperpituitarism, Preston Payne used the second Clayface’s blood to create a cure for his condition, but instead became a clay-like creature that needed to pass his new condition on to others to survive.
Sondra Fuller of Strike Force Kobra used the terrorist group’s technology to become the fourth Clayface, also known as Lady Clay. She formed the Mud Pack with the original and third Clayfaces. During this era, the original Clayface used the DNA of Payne and Fuller to become the Ultimate Clayface (talk about bragging!)
Sometime after the Mud Pack event, Payne and Fuller had a son named Cassius “Clay” Payne, who, as the fifth Clayface, also had metahuman shapeshifting powers.
That’s just a selection of the character’s alternates, who have appeared over the years in various films, series, animated works, video games and other forms of media.
Gunn and Safran have previously said that actors who play roles in the animated sphere for their DC Studios will also take on the live-action version, but we don’t know if that means Tudyk will return for the movie.
As for the tone of the movie, Deadline’s sources have heard that the Clayface movie is rumored to be a horror-thriller-tragedy, with the lead protagonist not expected to be portrayed as the notorious villain he’s usually seen as.
What else has Watkins worked on?
(L to R) Director James Watkins and Mackenzie Davis (as Louise Dalton) on the set of ‘Speak No Evil’.
In addition to ‘Speak No Evil,’ (which made more than $76 million at the worldwide box office on a $15 million budget), Watkins has a history with horror on the big screen and drama on TV.
On the small screen, he co-created the crime drama ‘McMafia,’ and directed episodes of ‘Black Mirror’ and 2022’s TV take on ‘The Ipcress File.’
When will the Clayface movie be in theaters?
This is one directing deal that will need to come together quickly –– Warner Bros. has already handed out a September 11th, 2026 release date for the movie, so Watkins will likely be putting the pieces together and rolling cameras this year.
(L to R) Alix West Lefler (as Agnes Dalton), Mackenzie Davis (as Louise Dalton), Scoot McNairy (as Ben Dalton), Director James Watkins and Aisling Franciosi (as Ciara) on the set of ‘Speak No Evil’.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of sitting down in-person with James McAvoy to talk about his work on ‘Speak No Evil’, his first reaction to the screenplay, his approach to his character and his motivations, working with the cast, and collaborating on set with director James Watkins.
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Scoot McNairy and director James Watkins.
(L to R) Paddy (James McAvoy) and Ciara (Aisling Franciosi) in ‘Speak No Evil’, directed by James Watkins.
Moviefone: To begin with, what was your first reaction to the screenplay and why did you want to be part of this project?
James McAvoy: There are two things. I really liked the fact that there was this couple that were good people, and they were unhappy, and they had a relationship that you would never wish on your worst enemy. Then you’ve got these bad people who are so incredibly deeply, passionately in love, and you know they’re having sex every other minute, and It’s the kind of relationship you could only dream of. I thought that was such a good juxtaposition to have the bad people be the thing you aspire to, and the good people be the thing you would never want to be.
MF: Can you talk about your approach to playing Paddy and what are his true motivations?
JM: I mean, his motivations are completely selfish and self-serving, and he’s a complete narcissist, and he’s a sociopath. He’s toxically masculine and happy about it, which is the key thing I think, was that as much as he’s all these bad things, he does have one thing that not everybody does. Lots of good people don’t have this. He has the secret to being happy. He’s got loads of rage issues, he’s got loads of anger, all that, and he’s abusive and he’s manipulative, but he’s happy and that is such a draw for people to be around. You can go like, how’s that person got there? I want to get there because so many good people don’t have that capacity, it seems.
(L to R) Agnes Dalton (Alix West Lefler), Louise Dalton (Mackenzie Davis) and Ben Dalton (Scoot McNairy) in ‘Speak No Evil’, directed by James Watkins.
MF: What was it like working with Mackenzie Davis and Scoot McNairy?
JM: Mackenzie and Scoot were incredible, as was Aisling who played Ciara, Paddy’s wife, but I think Louise played by Mackenzie is less vulnerable. She sees the problem that Paddy could present much earlier. Ben is played by Scoot, and he gives an incredible performance. Scoot is much more like Paddy in real life than I am, not sociopathic or dangerous, but he’s a man of the woods. He hunts and he can fix things and can build his own house. He’s much more Paddy than me, and he plays this injured, kind of hurt masculine creature so well, and so he’s much more vulnerable. If Paddy’s like a lion searching the herd for the lame beast that he can take down the easiest, when he sees Ben, he’s like, “That’s our mark. That’s who we want”. He’s just so ripe for the brainwashing that Paddy wants to perform.
MF: The film deals with some dark subjects but also includes kids in the cast, what was it like working with them on set?
JM: They were great. They had the summer of their lives. It was like two kids, similar age, running about a big farmstead with loads of countryside around us, searching for bugs and doing arts and crafts and doing class, and then coming in every now and again and doing a really messed up scene about abuse. So, it was interesting and strange to see just how relaxed and okay they were. We were constantly checking in with them, constantly checking in with their families and their chaperones to make sure everything was okay. But they seemed great, and so professional, admirably professional like up there with Saoirse Ronan when she was 12 years old professional. They were brilliant.
(L to R) James McAvoy (as Dalton) and Director James Watkins on the set of ‘Speak No Evil’.
MF: Finally, what was James Watkins like to work with as a director on set?
JM: He’s free, open, really welcoming of ideas and suggestions, but at the same time, tightly calibrating and orchestrating this tightrope walk, which on one side of it has a lot of comedy, and then the other side has a lot of scares and fear and horror, but you can’t really jump either side until the end of the movie. You’ve got to stay on that tightrope so that both things are always possible. But he was brilliant. He had it so tightly wound.
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What is the plot of ‘Speak No Evil’?
A dream holiday in a beautiful country house becomes a psychological nightmare.
But while Shyamalan has moved on to other subjects, McAvoy is reuniting with the company for a new film, a remake of 2022 Danish thriller ‘Speak No Evil’.
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What’s the story of ‘Speak No Evil’?
The basic synopsis for the original movie reads as follows… “A Danish family visits a Dutch family they met on a holiday. What was supposed to be an idyllic weekend slowly starts unraveling as the Danes try to stay polite in the face of unpleasantness.”
Suffice to say, it really doesn’t end well for one side of that story, but we won’t dig into it any further to avoid spoiling anything. Director Christian Tafdrup wrote the script with brother Mads, and the new movie will be based on their screenplay.
We would expect though, there to be some significant thematic changes for American audiences, as the original dips into some Eurocentric views on politics. But with commentary on fascism running through it, that’s something that a new movie could certainly also draw from that, given the state of American politics.
‘M3GAN’ producer and CEO of Blumhouse Productions Jason Blum.
Who is making the new movie?
James Watkins, the British director who has made movies such as cult thriller ‘Eden Lake’ and the wildly successful, Daniel Radcliffe-starring ‘The Woman in Black’, which became the most profitable British horror title in history, earning more than $129 million worldwide, is on for the remake.
Watkins, who has also made terror sequel ‘The Descent: Part 2’ and branched out beyond the horror genre for crime drama ‘Bastille Day’ and small screen entries such as ‘Black Mirror’ episode “Shut Up and Dance” and crime thriller series ‘McMafia’, has written the script and will make the new movie.
He most recently oversaw an update of a much older title –– a TV adaptation of 1965 spy thriller movie ‘The Ipcress File.’
As usual, Blumhouse boss Jason Blum will be among the producers alongside Christian Tafdrup, Paul Ritchie, Jacob Jarek, and Bea Sequeira, serving as executive producers.
McAvoy is no stranger to remakes –– he was seen in 2021’s ‘My Son’, which was drawn from 2017 French thriller ‘Mon Garcon’. And he was more recently back on TV screens as Lord Asriel in the third and final season of book adaptation ‘His Dark Materials. In addition to that, he appeared on stage in ‘Cyrano de Bergerac’ and worked with Sharon Horgan in the BBC’s COVID lockdown-set ‘Together’, which was nominated for a Scottish BAFTA.
Blumhouse and Universal are clearly confident in this one, with a flag already planted on August 9th, 2024, as a release date.
James McAvoy as Kevin Wendell Crumb in 2019’s ‘Glass.’
