One of the biggest reveals to come out of the new Clayface coverage isn’t about the body horror.
It’s about the DC Universe itself.
In a new interview with EW, Peter Safran confirmed that Matt Hagen, the version of Clayface played by Tom Rhys Harries in the upcoming film, is the exact same character audiences met in the animated series Creature Commandos.
Even more surprising, Clayface takes place before the events of the animated series, making the film an official prequel and cementing both projects as part of the same DC Universe continuity.
That may sound like a small detail, but it’s actually one of the most ambitious pieces of world-building James Gunn has attempted since launching the new DCU.
For decades, animation and live action have largely existed in separate lanes. Characters might share names or designs, but they rarely shared continuity. Here, DC is doing something entirely different. If you watched Creature Commandos, you’ve already met the live-action Clayface.
That’s a pretty exciting concept.
Imagine if the characters from X-Men ’97 suddenly appeared in a Marvel movie wearing those exact costumes. Fans would lose their minds. That’s essentially what DC is building toward: a universe where animation isn’t supplemental material; it’s required viewing because it’s telling the same story.
It also reinforces the slow-burn strategy James Gunn and Peter Safran have repeatedly talked about. Instead of rushing into massive crossover events, they’re introducing characters across different mediums and allowing them to naturally grow before bringing them together. It’s the same philosophy that helped make Marvel’s early years so successful.
And judging by yesterday’s incredible new trailer, Clayface looks like it could become one of the DCU’s strongest building blocks yet.
The latest footage fully embraces the film’s gruesome body horror, delivering grotesque transformations that feel ripped straight from a David Cronenberg film. With Mike Flanagan‘s story serving as the foundation and James Watkins directing, the movie looks far more interested in horror than superhero spectacle.
The reported budget also makes this one of DC’s smartest bets. At around $40 million, Clayface doesn’t need to make superhero money to become a success.
Sometimes the best way to build a cinematic universe isn’t by making everything bigger. It’s by making every piece matter.
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