Tom Rhys Harries Opens Up About Channeling Dark Horror For DC Studios' 'Clayface'

Gotham’s shapeshifting villain is heading to the big screen with a dark, psychological twist. Actor Tom Rhys Harries is set to step into the tragic role of Matt Hagen in the upcoming DC Studios thriller *Clayface*, bringing a bone-chilling horror approach to one of comic book history's most complex antagonists. Directed by filmmaker James Watkins, the movie focuses on Hagen, an ambitious Hollywood actor whose life and blossoming career are suddenly destroyed by a brutal act of violence. The film peels back the layers of Hagen's traumatic turn into a monstrous figure, moving beyond standard comic book spectacle to deliver a grounded, unsettling narrative.

In a recent interview, Harries reflected on his long-standing awareness of the character, explaining that his first exposure to the infamous Gotham villain came from watching classic Batman animated shows during his childhood. He pointed out the rich history behind the antagonist, noting how the character first debuted in DC Comics back in the 1940s before the Matt Hagen incarnation emerged during the 1960s. The actor emphasized that playing a shapeshifting figure presents a unique creative hurdle. For Harries, the key to the role lies in figuring out how to get underneath the skin of someone who possesses the supernatural ability to transform into any physical shape or person imaginable. Exploring that internal conflict has formed the heart of his performance.

The narrative takes a deep look into Hagen's psychological unraveling following his life-altering tragedy. Rather than portraying him purely as an evil criminal mastermind, the adaptation focuses heavily on his origins as a victim of cruelty whose physical transformation becomes both a curse and a nightmare. With Watkins driving the project's ominous tone, the film leans into body horror and emotional disintegration. Harries' portrayal aims to deliver a haunting character study, giving DC fans an unsettling look at how a rising Hollywood star morphs into one of Gotham's most infamous threats.