DC Studios has dropped the second trailer for Clayface, the body horror film reimagining the origin of the classic Batman villain, releasing in theaters October 23. The trailer is greenband like the first, but be warned, it still gets pretty wince-inducing:
The trailer reveals more of disfigured actor Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries)’s transformation into a shapeshifting fiend, which begins after he seemingly has his face healed by an experimental procedure carried out by Dr. Caitlyn Corr (Naomi Ackie). As his appearance turns out to be anything but fixed, Hagen embarks on revenge on the people who attacked and maimed him in the first place.
The trailer ends teasing Hagen’s classic comics look (as well as the one he had on his prior DC appearance on HBO Max’s Creature Commandos), with the focus being on Caitlyn’s terrified reaction. As confirmed in an Entertainment Weekly exclusive, Clayface’s final form won’t be revealed until the film’s release, with director James Watkins referencing Jaws, saying, “You don’t want to show the shark. I think people give away too much… I believe in the power of mystery and the power of suggestion and the power of people putting two and two together. I think it’s more fun.”
Clayface, which was directed from a screenplay by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, is releasing amid uncertainty for the DCU following Supergirl‘s disappointing critical and commercial reception. However, producer Peter Safran tells EW horror has become “one of the most reliable and popular genres with moviegoers,” and that Clayface “leans into horror and psychological thriller in a way that definitely differentiates it from more traditional superhero entries, while still being anchored in what I would say is a recognizable character”.
DC Studios will have a subdued presence at San Diego Comic-Con this year, with only a panel for Lanterns (premiering on HBO on Sunday, August 16) representing their live-action projects on Friday, July 24 (in Hall H, at 1:30pm). Stay tuned to The Beat for more news from SDCC ’26.
