DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn addressed the obvious recasting of Clayface for his 2026 solo villain film. Gunn made massive guarantees from the begining that his DCU will use the similar actors throughout live-action and animation, over each movie and TV. That is already being felt as actor Frank Grillo voiced Rick Flag Sr. in Creature Commandos and can quickly carry him to live-action in Superman and Peacemaker Season 2.
DC Studios confirmed that Apple TV+’s Suspicion actor Tom Rhys Harries will play Clayface in the Batman villain’s 2026 horror film. This marks a recast after Clayface made his DCU debut in final yr’s animated Creature Commandos the place he was voiced by Alan Tudyk.
One fan responded to DC Studios co-CEO and Clayface government producer James Gunn on Threads stating the obvious recast. In response, he famous that the DCU “would plan on utilizing PRIMARY actors each time [they] can,” indicating this can be extra of an exception than the rule.
Gunn added that, “I’ve additionally by no means stated if the two characters are the similar. (I’ve additionally by no means stated they don’t seem to be).” As a number of characters resembling Basil Karlo and Matt Hagen have held the Clayface mantle over the years, Gunn could also be indicating the two DCU villains aren’t the similar particular person.
Whereas Creature Commandos by no means named its Clayface, rumors acknowledged the DCU will make the most of Harries as Matt Hagen. The DCU’s animated Clayface could go unnamed without end, leaving it unsure whether or not it is the similar model who will seem in the James Watkins-directed horror.
Harries is the solely confirmed actor for the DCU physique horror that may hit theaters on September 11, 2026. Clayface hails from Physician Sleep author Mike Flanagan and Communicate No Evil director James Watkins.
How DC Studios Might Repair Its Clayface Casting Drawback
When James Gunn was creating Creature Commandos, there have been possible no indicators of Clayface taking place, as the concept on got here to frution when Mike Flanagan delivered a powerful script. As such, the DCU boss presumably did not plan how the two interpretations will join (if they are going to in any respect).
DC Studios might take a few routes to resolve the difficulty, as the live-action physique horror Clayface must be very totally different from the comedic interpretation from the Max animated collection. The film might function a totally different particular person as Clayface or be a interval piece exploring his darkish origins.
Additional readability on the DCU Clayface must be revealed in the coming months as the 2026 flick lastly goes into manufacturing and edges to launch.
