Clayface: James Watkins on Why Tom Rhys Harries Is No Action Hero
Key Takeaway: Director James Watkins explains why Tom Rhys Harries’ Matt Hagen in DC Studios’ Clayface breaks the action-hero mould, ahead of the film’s 23 October cinema release.
James Watkins has explained why Tom Rhys Harries’ Matt Hagen in DC Studios’ Clayface is no conventional action hero, describing a disfigured Hollywood actor whose experimental treatment leads to terrifying consequences.
The horror thriller, part of the DC Universe’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters slate under James Gunn and Peter Safran, had its world premiere on 13 October 2026 at the Hollywood Legion Theater and opens in cinemas on 23 October 2026.
A villain’s story told with empathy
The film follows Matt Hagen, a Gotham street kid turned Hollywood leading man who is disfigured by a local crime boss, abandoned by his team, undergoes an experimental treatment and embarks on a path of revenge, the Times of India reports. Producer Lynn Harris said the aim was to examine the story from Hagen’s perspective with real empathy.
The ensemble includes Naomi Ackie as nanotechnologist Dr. Caitlyn Corr, David Dencik, Max Minghella as Gotham detective John, Eddie Marsan, Nancy Carroll and Joshua James. The screenplay is by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, from a story by Flanagan.
The idea was to examine a story from Matt Hagen’s perspective with the empathy you might have for this guy who’s just a regular guy that makes a terrible, terrible choice that affects him for the rest of his life.
Lynn Harris, producer, via The Hollywood Reporter
Three months of auditions
Harries won the role after a gruelling three-month audition process that included two lengthy screen tests. Watkins said he auditioned the hell out of the actor, wanting to explore what he had before committing.
Harries said the long process let them workshop the character before he reached the set. Naomi Ackie praised his ability to track Hagen’s emotional transformations through the film and make audiences want him to win.
I auditioned the hell out of him,
James Watkins, via The Hollywood Reporter
Horror roots and release
Watkins, known for Eden Lake (2008) and Speak No Evil (2024), described the film as a rollercoaster ride with horror, heart and humour. The original Clayface character, Basil Karlo, debuted in DC Comics in 1940; the film follows the Matt Hagen incarnation.
The film releases in India on 23 October 2026 in English and Hindi, the Times of India reports.
It’s a rollercoaster ride. It’s got a lot of horror, a lot of heart, and a lot of humor. It’s a full meal,
James Watkins, via The Hollywood Reporter
Key Story Metrics
| Figure | Reported Status |
|---|---|
| World premiere | 13 October 2026 (Hollywood Legion Theater) |
| Cinema release | 23 October 2026 (India in English and Hindi) |
| Audition process | 3 months, two screen tests |
| Character debut | 1940 as Basil Karlo (DC Comics) |
✓ Verified
Clayface is a DC Studios horror thriller directed by James Watkins, part of the DC Universe’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters slate (Times of India, The Hindu). Tom Rhys Harries stars as Matt Hagen (Times of India). The world premiere was 13 October 2026 at the Hollywood Legion Theater; cinemas open 23 October 2026, with India in English and Hindi (Hollywood Reporter, Times of India). Harries auditioned over three months with two screen tests (Hollywood Reporter). The screenplay is by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini (Times of India, Hollywood Reporter).
Editor’s note: Clayface opens in cinemas on 23 October 2026. The Times of India headline describes Harries’ character as ‘no conventional action hero’.
