The teaser trailer for an upcoming DC film centered around the Batman villain Clayface was recently released at CinemaCon. This film, which is a part of the new DC cinematic universe alongside Superman, will be an origin story for a classic Batman villain, inspired by the body horror genre. With other Batman villains having success when they become the lead, fans are excited to see how the new DC universe will handle Clayface’s first live-action theatrical appearance, and our first look at Gotham.
The Trailer
The trailer for Clayface opens with shots of the titular character lying on a hospital bed with a bloody and bandaged face. As the camera pans in, we see shots of Clayface, originally known as Matt Hagen, suffering a vicious attack, and injected with a mysterious substance. Hagen then appears in different shots where he is seen without either a mouth or an eye, and in the final shot of the trailer, we see him lying in a bathtub before wiping his face away completely.
DC teased Clayface at this year’s CinemaCon in April in Las Vegas. CinemaCon is one of the largest conventions for films, where Hollywood filmmakers announce and discuss their upcoming projects. Clayface releases later this year, however it will follow the second film in the DCU, Supergirl.
Who Is Clayface?
Clayface, a classic Batman villain, is often takes the form of a monstrous figure made out of a claylike substance. Clayface possesses shapeshifting abilities, often transforming his arm into a large spiked mace to fight Batman with, as we see silhouetted in the trailer. Hagen begins as a struggling actor, and according to IMDB, “descends into a horrifying revenge-filled monster when scientific ambition strips him of his identity and humanity.”
The film will star Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen. Harries is a Welsh actor most known for his role in the Netflix series White Lines in 2020. Clayface director James Watkins has directed horror films in the past, such as Speak No Evil, a remake of a Dutch film, starring James McAvoy. Fans are excited to see a lesser-known face in such a prominent role, and hopes are high that Harries will excel.
Superhero Horror
Fans are excited to see an underrated villain getting to shine, with Clayface being the villain’s first live action theatrical appearance. Batman villains have carved out a unique place in superhero media, often shining in lead roles that take a subversive and gritty approach to Gotham. Both Joker and The Penguin have put villains at the center and became massive successes that surpassed typical superhero-genre limitations.
New DC Universe
Clayface will take place in the new DC cinematic universe championed by James Gunn, the DCU. This new universe started with last year’s Superman, which received great reviews and served as an excellent start to this new timeline. This will be our first look at Gotham in the new universe, so fans are looking at every detail to find hints about this universe’s Batman. Fans have already spotted a poster in the trailer advertising the Flying Graysons. These acrobats are the parents of Dick Grayson, the original Robin, who are then tragically killed, an event that leads to his eventual adoption by Batman.
Clayface is shaping up to be not only one of the best superhero films of the year, but also one of the best horror films as well. By taking a classic Batman villain and adding motifs of body horror, Watkins and the DCU could have a hit that stacks up with its predecessor Joker. Clayface releases in theaters this October, but before then, Supergirl arrives on June 26.
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