The highly anticipated Clayface movie in the works at DC just got a massive update from one of its stars. One of the names recruited to headline Clayface is Max Minghella, the Emmy nominee best known for his work in Babylon and The Social Network. Minghella will star alongside Tom Rhys Harries and Naomi Ackie in the film. Clayface is currently expected in theaters on September 11, 2026; Mike Flanagan wrote the script for the film with Hossein Amini, and James Watkins is directing.

Collider’s Perri Nemiroff recently caught up with Minghella to talk about his new project, Shell, and she asked what makes Watkins the perfect person to tackle Clayface in James Gunn’s DCU. Minghella confirmed that he’s “working on Clayface right now in London,” and that “James Watkins is directing the film. I’m also a diehard fan of Eden Lake.” Watkins directed the 2008 psychological horror film starring Michael Fassbender. He expanded on his love for Eden Lake, saying, “I saw that movie when it came out, and it deeply affected me, so I was excited to get that call. I think he’s really kind of uniquely suited to it [Clayface], to be honest.” Minghella went on to say:

“If you look at his whole resume, he’s worked in all these different spaces that sort of equal the movie we’re making, so I can’t imagine anybody else doing it. I’m learning a lot from working with him, which is always my favorite thing. He comes and talks to us after everything we do, every take. I could be clicking a keyboard and he comes in and talks to me afterwards, and there’s just an attention to detail, which is really lovely.”

Minghella made his directorial debut in 2018 on Teen Spirit, and he’s next in line to direct Shell, which releases this Friday. Nemiroff asked what he’d learned from director James Watkins on the set of Clayface that he plans to carry into his next movie as a director: “I think I just answered it. I think talking to the actors with that amount of focus and care is quite extraordinary. He just sees everything you’re doing, so I really admire that, and I hope to steal that.” He continued, “It’s a great group of people. Rob Hardy’s shooting it; he’s amazing. I hope it’s going to be cool. I hope you guys like it when it comes out.”

Minghella also confirmed that the body horror elements of Clayface will definitely be featured, saying, “I think I can say safely it’s going there,” and wrapped up by asserting that “it’s a proper movie. It’s a really fantastic script.”

How Does ‘Clayface’ Fit Into the DCU?

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Clayface transforms into a seat for James Gunn in Season 3 of Harley QuinnImage via Max

Although set photos have been circulating from behind the scenes of Clayface, plot details about the film are still being kept under wraps. Clayface made his DCU debut in Creature Commandos last year, and while his appearance was brief, he did leave his mark by breaking Rick Flag Sr.’s (Frank Grillo) back. We’ve since learned from Flag’s roles in other projects like Superman and Peacemaker that he’s recovered from this thanks to the helping hands at ARGUS. Clayface will likely be largely disconnected from the larger DCU, but fans can still expect some references and maybe even a Rick Flag Sr. cameo.

Stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of Clayface.

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Release Date

September 11, 2026

Director

James Watkins