Liverpool as you’ve never seen it before in Hollywood film trailer
Clayface set at the Philharmonic Hall(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Liverpool appears as you’ve never seen it before in a new trailer for Clayface. Production for the Hollywood blockbuster arrived in the city last year as a number of elaborate sets were spotted around the city centre.
The Philharmonic Hall was transformed to become nightclub Vesuvius and a huge set was spotted near the waterfront last September. Overflowing bins stencilled with fake graffiti lined the street outside Gaucho. Rain towers could be seen cascading rain onto the set as actors huddled under umbrellas.
It wasn’t just Liverpool either as vintage cars were spotted outside Adventureland in Wirral as fairground scenes were shot in New Brighton. People can now get a glimpse of what the finished product will look as a teaser trailer was released last night (April 22) for the latest instalment in the DC universe.
Clayface follows the origin story of one of the lesser known characters from the comic franchise that gave us Batman and Superman. Just like Batman, Clayface’s story takes place in Gotham and the production is the first time the shape-shifter will have his own film.
Clayface was first introduced as part of Detective Comics #40 in June 1940 – and his origin story sees him driven mad as he adopts the identity of a character he played in a horror film.
The film has been co-written by Mike Flanagan, who is known for his work on horror TV series such as the Netflix hit, the Haunting of Hill House.
The story was co-written with Hossein Amini, who is renowned for penning the hit Ryan Gosling cult film, Drive. The film has been directed by James Watkins, who has directed horror films such as Eden Lake and the Woman in Black.
Tom Rhys Harries plays the lead role of actor, Matt Hagan, who undergoes a horrendous physical transformation. The new teaser sees the character heavily bandaged on a hospital bed as he looks back to what got him to this point.
Some of the Merseyside sets are visible as you get a brief look at the changed Philharmonic Hall and fairground clips appear to the scenes shot in New Brighton.
Another clips sees the MV Royal Iris Mersey Ferry, which sailed for the final time in March, docking at Seacombe Ferry terminal. However the Wirral skyline has been replaced by the CGI’d backdrop of the Gotham Skyline.
It’s not the first time Liverpool has been used as a backdrop for Gotham as production of The Batman in 2022. However, this new instalment does not take place in the same universe which saw Robert Pattinson play the Caped Crusader.
Clayface promises to be one of the darker instalments in the DCU since James Gunn took over in 2022. The film has already been confirmed as a Rated R in America, which means it is likely going to be a 15 or 18 in the UK.
The film is set to be perfect for the Halloween season as it will arrive in UK cinemas on October 23. You can view the full teaser trailer here.