Tom Rhys Harries is stepping into one of DC’s most iconic—and tragic—Batman villains, and during San Diego Comic-Con, he may have playfully fueled even more fan speculation.
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When I asked whether he bounced creative ideas off anyone while preparing for such a psychologically demanding role, especially after recently joking that Robert Pattinson was on set, he jokingly revealed that he has Rob on “speed dial,” Harries laughed before leaning into the joke. While he didn’t confirm anything, the exchange is sure to keep fans wondering whether Pattinson’s Batman could somehow appear in Clayface, connecting the film to Matt Reeves’ Gotham universe.
I also couldn’t resist asking which Batman he’d most like his version of Clayface to face. With a smile, Harries coyly replied, “That’s a good one… I’ll have to get back to you on that one,” leaving the door wide open for fans to keep speculating.
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Beyond the playful moments, our conversation explored what makes Matt Hagen such a compelling character. Clayface isn’t simply a monster, he’s a man whose loss of identity slowly consumes him until revenge becomes all that’s left. Harries spoke about watching the character continue to evolve throughout post-production, how his own understanding of Matt Hagen has changed over time, and the importance of leaving such an emotionally dark role behind once filming ends.
Those themes carried into my conversation with director James Watkins, who made it clear that Clayface isn’t just another comic book movie. It’s a psychological horror thriller built around identity, humanity, and tragedy.
After speaking with both Harries and Watkins, I’m even more convinced that Clayface could become one of DC Studios’ boldest films yet.
A Monster You Never Stop Feeling For
Clayface has had countless interpretations throughout DC Comics, but Watkins said his biggest goal wasn’t simply creating a terrifying monster—it was making audiences remember the man underneath.
“There are so many great interpretations of who he is, both in his human form and as Clayface,” Watkins told me. “What you can do in a comic and what you can do in live action aren’t always the same.”
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Instead of leaning entirely into spectacle, he wanted viewers to stay emotionally connected to Matt Hagen throughout his horrifying transformation.
“I wanted to maintain a sense of the humanity within the monster, so you can always believe that somewhere underneath there is still Matt Hagen.”
That emotional foundation is what immediately separates Clayface from many comic book films.
Why Matt Hagen Was the Right Clayface
Although comic fans know several versions of Clayface, Watkins explained why he chose Matt Hagen instead of Basil Karlo.
For him, Hagen’s story simply felt more relatable.
“He’s somebody who’s lost something he’s fought to have, and it gets ripped away from him by an injustice. That desire to get back to who he was and regain his identity felt very relatable.”
Rather than telling a story about a monster, Watkins sees Clayface as a film about identity, loss, and revenge.
Building a Gotham Unlike Any Other
Because producer Matt Reeves has already established his own version of Gotham, I asked Watkins how he approached making this world feel unique.
Interestingly, he avoided looking at other Batman movies altogether.
Instead, he, cinematographer Rob Hardy, and production designer James Price looked at decades of real-world New York street photography from the 1940s through the 1980s.
“I wanted Gotham to feel like it had corruption on the streets,” Watkins explained.
Grounding the world in reality, he believes, is what makes the impossible believable.
“How do we believe this story of a man who turns into a monster? We make the world feel real.”
Tom Rhys Harries on Playing Such a Dark Character
Watching the footage, I told Harries it gave me the same excitement I felt before seeing Heath Ledger’s Joker in The Dark Knight. Not because the performances are the same, but because they share a commitment to bringing psychological depth to an iconic Batman villain.
Since Matt Hagen goes to some incredibly dark places, I asked how he was able to disconnect from the role after filming.
“I think that’s something that’s healthy to try and foster,” Harries said. “Being able to let work leave work.”
Despite the heavy emotional material, the atmosphere on set was often much lighter than audiences might expect.
“We had so much fun shooting this thing. Particularly shooting stuff with Naomi Ackie where there was a lot of intense material. It gets pretty light between takes because it has to. You can’t sustain that for a really long period of time.”
Clayface Is Still Changing
I also asked Harries how his view of Matt Hagen has changed since first seeing himself transformed into Clayface.
“It’s always changing,” he admitted. “It’s still changing. I haven’t seen the most recent cut of the film, so I suspect it’ll continue to change.”
His answer highlights just how much a character like Clayface continues evolving long after filming wraps, especially as visual effects and editing bring the performance to life.
At Its Core, It’s About Identity
One theme continued to emerge throughout both interviews: identity.
I asked Watkins what he hopes audiences ultimately take away from the film and how he personally stays grounded while working in entertainment.
“My family keeps me grounded,” he said with a laugh. “If I get too big for my boots, they’re very quick to tell me.”
But beyond his own life, he believes the film speaks to something everyone experiences.
“Who we are and how we define ourselves is really important. When something challenges that sense of identity, I think that’s something everyone can relate to.”
That idea sits at the heart of Clayface. Yes, it’s a horror thriller. Yes, it’s about one of Batman’s most recognizable villains. But beneath the body horror and psychological tension is a deeply human story about identity, loss, and what happens when someone loses themselves completely.
