Welsh actor Tom Rhys Harries has been cast in the title role of "Clayface," a standalone film in the DC Universe (DCU). The movie will be directed by James Watkins, known for "Eden Lake" and "Speak No Evil," with the script written by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini. The casting decision came after an extensive search, with both James Gunn, head of DC Studios, and Matt Reeves, director of "The Batman," expressing strong enthusiasm for Harries' performance. Harries, who is 32 years old and has appeared in projects such as "Doctor Who" and Apple's "Suspicion," was selected over other contenders including Jack O'Connell, George Mackay, and Tom Blyth. The film is described as having a horror tone and is scheduled to begin production in the fall, with a planned release in September 2026. Harries will portray Clayface, a fan-favorite Batman villain known for his shapeshifting abilities.