DC Studios has revealed the final trailer for Clayface ahead of its release in theaters next month. It's light on huge moments and big reveals, but it's worth remembering this isn't necessarily the type of comic book adaptation that's going to be too heavy on cameos and Easter Eggs.
Instead, it's a lower-budgeted R-rated horror tale set in Gotham City, largely apart from what else is going on in the DCU. Batman isn't going to make an appearance, for example (we've heard Bruce Wayne gets a mention), though the movie is expected to explain Clayface's role in Creature Commandos.
It's been said that Clayface's final form will be saved for theaters, meaning the design won't be featured in any promotional material. Leaks are always possible, of course, but keeping that under wraps is bound to build anticipation among fans.
This latest trailer at least hints at that, though if we are only getting a comic-accurate Clayface at the end of the movie, DC Studios will likely face serious "Surf Dracula" accusations (that primarily refers to streaming series where the core premise—Daredevil suiting up in his classic costume in Season 1 on Netflix, for example—is significantly delayed).
Still, Matt's transformation into a DCU monster being a slow burn makes sense, as it'll obviously be part of Clayface's body horror.
Lead star Tom Rhys Harries has described Clayface's final form as "f***ing sick," adding, "I'd have family members or friends of mine who, after time, normalise the fact that they’re talking to me but half my face is disintegrating, and then they would introduce me to somebody on FaceTime. That was funny!"
In Clayface, Matt Hagen’s meteoric rise from Gotham street kid to Hollywood leading man is tragically cut short when a local crime boss’s actions leave him horribly disfigured. Abandoned by his team and with nothing left, Matt seeks out a cutting-edge treatment that miraculously returns him to his former self, but also unexpectedly affects his grip on reality, spiralling him down a destructive path of all-consuming revenge.
The movie stars Tom Rhys Harries in the title role of the cult-favourite villain from Gotham's rogues' gallery. The cast includes Naomi Ackie, David Dencik, Max Minghella and Eddie Marsan, as well as Nancy Carroll and Joshua James.
James Watkins directs from a screenplay by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, with Flanagan also getting a "Story by" credit. Clayface is produced by Matt Reeves, Lynn Harris, James Gunn and Peter Safran, with Michael E. Uslan, Chantal Nong Vo, Lars P. Winther, Rafi Crohn and Paul Ritchie executive producing.
Watkins' creative team includes director of photography Rob Hardy, production designer James Price, editor Jon Harris and costume designer Keith Madden. Volker Bertelmann (Conclave) is the movie's composer.
Clayface will be released in theaters on October 23.