Looks like we’re going to have to wait a few more weeks to see DC’s muddiest villain get his glow-up. Clayface is officially sliding its release date from September 11 to October, and moving a body-horror movie closer to Halloween? That makes sense.
What is a “Clayface” anyway?
Clayface, a classic Batman villain who can shapeshift his body into pretty much anything. This movie is being described as body horror.
He is a complex, multifaceted rogue who shifts between roles with the fluidity of the mud that comprises his body. Numerous beings have held the name Clayface, including a victim of a tragic accident and a criminal who unlocked the secrets of magical clay to grant himself superhuman powers. His story is constantly evolving and pulling new people into the muck and mire. With a total of eight different characters officially holding the mantle at one time or another, knowing just whom—and what—to expect from a Clayface can be a tricky affair.
Virtually indestructible, criminally devious, and brilliant at improvisation, even the most harmless-looking incarnations of Gotham’s resident mud-based monster represent a massive potential threat—one that Batman must grapple with regularly to keep his city safe.
The Dream Team
The pedigree behind this flick is actually insane. James Watkins (Speak No Evil) is directing from the script written by heavy hitters Mike Flanagan (Also behind the upcoming Exorcist movie) and Hossein Amini (Drive). The star-studded cast includes Tom Rhys Harries, who plays Matt Hagen, an actor whose face is disfigured in an accident. Naomie Ackie co-stars as the scientist who—spoiler alert—probably shouldn’t help him.
DC is riding high after the massive success of James Gunn’s Supergirl last summer, which finally washed out the salty aftertaste of The Flash and Black Adam. With Gunn, Peter Safran, and The Batman director Matt Reeves all producing, expectations are pretty high for this one.
The Box Office Shuffle
Warner Bros. is playing a high-stakes game of musical chairs with its schedule. Clayface is now set to hit theaters on October 23. The sequel to the Spooky Season classic, Practical Magic, is taking Clayface’s September 11th slot.
