DC Studios is continuing to fine-tune its upcoming theatrical slate, and one of its most intriguing projects is quietly gaining attention. While the DCU is largely associated with larger-than-life heroes and explosive action, there is also a growing interest in darker, more experimental stories that explore villains in a fresh way.

Among them is Clayface, a film that has already sparked curiosity thanks to its unique genre approach and creative team. And now, Warner Bros. has made a key adjustment that could shape how the movie performs in theaters.

So why is DC making a major change to Clayface’s release plan now?

According to the latest Warner Bros. schedule update, Clayface will now arrive in theaters on October 23, 2026, instead of its previously announced date of September 11, 2026. The shift is part of a wider reshuffling that allows Practical Magic 2 to take over the September slot.

The change gives Clayface a more fitting release window, especially since the film is expected to lean into darker themes. An October launch also positions it closer to Halloween season, which could benefit a DC project that has been described as a horror-leaning thriller rather than a standard superhero blockbuster.

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But what exactly makes Clayface such a different DC film compared to the usual comic book formula?

Unlike many DC films centered on heroes, Clayface focuses on one of Batman’s most unsettling villains, a shapeshifting character long known for grotesque transformations and tragic origins. 

The film is set to be directed by James Watkins (Speak No Evil), with a screenplay by Mike Flanagan (Doctor Sleep) and Hossein Amini (Drive). The cast includes Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen, an actor whose disfigurement drives him toward a terrifying transformation, while Naomie Ackie plays the scientist he turns to for help.

The project is being produced by James Gunn and Peter Safran, alongside Matt Reeves and Lynn Harris, signaling that DC Studios is serious about expanding the DCU with bold standalone stories.

With Clayface officially moving to October 23, 2026, DC Studios appears to be positioning the film for maximum impact during a season that fits its darker tone.

The updated schedule may be a simple date change on paper, but it also highlights how Warner Bros. is carefully shaping the next phase of its DCU rollout.

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Are you excited to watch Clayface in the theatres? Let us know in the comments!