Clayface: The Horrifying Shape of DC’s Darkest Villain

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Summary

  • Clayface will star in his own R-Rated horror film in 2026.
  • The movie may focus on Basil Karlo, a reeling actor, and his descent into wretchedness.
  • The film is expected to explore extreme body horror, aligning with James Gunn’s dark sensibilities as seen in Creature Commandos.

The animated series titled “Batman: The Animated Series” presents the character of Clayface with a compassionate touch that’s equally terrifying. The epic battle between Batman and Clayface in the two-part special episode ‘Feat of Clay’ is one of the most thrilling fights in any Batman format. This storyline shares a resemblance with the recent Oscar-nominated movie, “The Substance“, another production that relies heavily on unsettling body horror aspects. As announced by DC co-heads James Gunn and Peter Saffran, Clayface is set to star in an R-rated film scheduled for release in 2026, with filming commencing this summer.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled about James Gunn’s recent confirmation that his upcoming DC Studios project will be an unapologetic dive into pure, terrifying body horror. This isn’t your typical mild scare from past R-rated DC productions like the 2009 Watchmen or The Joker films. It’s going to surpass them significantly in terms of fear factor.

Remember Batman: The Animated Series’ Clayface character, which pushed the boundaries of family-friendly television? Well, Gunn’s Clayface is set to break free from DC’s traditional heroic approach to horror on the silver screen. It’s only fitting that he delivers an uncompromising portrayal of fear!

The Stage Is Set For DC’s Most Abominable Actor

The villainous character Clayface, known for assuming various forms in the DC Comics series, is primarily expected to embody the original character, movie actor Basil Karlo, in the upcoming film. It’s possible that his powers could mirror those of a later version of Clayface, specifically Matt Hagen from the Silver Age creation of Bill Finger and Sheldon Moldoff, given his unique ability to transform shapeshifting abilities.

The ability to change shape is a crucial aspect in the most well-known portrayals of Clayface, particularly Matt Hagen/Basil Karlo’s hybrid character. This specific Clayface was initially presented in Bruce Timm’s “Batman: The Animated Series” under the name Matt Hagen. He combined Hagen’s Green Lantern-like ability to create tools with Karlo’s backstory from an actor. In one notable scene, Batman witnessed him equip a scythe for an arm and a brick wall fist. Subsequently, he tumbled off a roof and plunged into a pool of his own essence, demonstrating his extraordinary durability.

In the sixth episode of the first season of ‘Batman: The Animated Series’, titled ‘Feat of Clay’, we witness all the staples of a classic superhero show – emotional backstories, intense battle sequences, and a dash of the unexpected, such as vats of acid. The story revolves around Hagen, a well-known actor who conceals his disfigurement following a car accident. To mask his injuries without relying on makeup or prosthetics, he obtains a hazardous chemical from Dagget’s Laboratories, which enables him to alter his face at will.

Following his compulsive dependence on the substance causing him to pose as Bruce Wayne, assault Luscious Fox, and infiltrate the Daggett factory, Hagen finds himself ensnared by Roland Dagget’s trap. This was because Dagget anticipated Hagen would return to restock, and indeed he did. Dagget’s henchmen apprehended and overpowered him, then forcibly administered a chemical concoction down his throat, making him ingest large quantities of it. This ordeal transformed Hagen into the villain known as Clayface.

1) It’s unclear if Clayface will be shut off for his movie, or if he’ll retain his shape-shifting abilities and invincibility as seen on the show. In the Batman: The Animated Series (BTAS), Hagen is a struggling actor who gives in to sinister temptations and eventually loses himself to the characters he longs for so dearly. As Clayface, he can transform into virtually any shape he desires. He’s also largely invulnerable, with the exception of an apparent weakness to electricity, which leads to a grisly body horror scene in the climax of the two-part special episode.

The Clay Face Of A Horror Franchise?

Body-focused terror, once considered a lesser-known genre, is basking in popularity now due to the acclaimed success of the sci-fi horror movie nominee, The Substance. Moreover, James Gunn has been introducing a more somber atmosphere to the DC cinematic universe, which aligns perfectly with the ominous theme of their upcoming film, Clayface.

James Gunn’s Creature Commandos was a somewhat humorous episodic drama, delving into the grim origins of each villainous member of a special operations team, presented in an entertaining ‘monster-of-the-week’ format. Despite the series being vibrant and animated, its content could be tough to endure as it veered away from the anticipated comedic adventure, offering stories filled with unyielding torment and the prolonged demise of children instead.

For people unfamiliar with the series, it might be roughly compared to the heart-wrenching backstory of Rocket Raccoon in “Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3,” spread across seven episodes, but with much greater brutality. If the thematic darkness of “Creature Commandos” is considered a benchmark for Gunn’s work, viewers might be taken aback by just how intense his portrayal of “purely disturbing body horror” turns out to be, regardless of the source material he utilizes.

What To Expect From Clayface In 2026

The character Clayface is currently being scripted by Mike Flanagan, who created “The Haunting of Hill House”. Production is being handled by Gunn, Safran, and Matt Reeves, known for his work on “The Batman” and HBO’s “The Penguin”. Lynn Harris will also co-produce. At this point, no actors have been announced for the upcoming movie.

The disturbing, violent depiction of Clayface in “Batman: The Animated Series” is commendable, even though it was adapted for family viewing. Considering the intense themes in Creature Commandos and the success of The Substance, it’s clear that Gunn and his team will shape Clayface into the most hard-R rated version of the film that DC audiences can endure.

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2025-03-28 17:06