Naomi Ackie is supposedly gearing up for a dark turn in the DC Universe.
The I Wanna Dance With Somebody star is in early talks to join Clayface, the upcoming DC film from Speak No Evil director James Watkins. Ackie is set to star opposite Tom Rhys Harries, who leads the project as the titular villain. According to sources, recent reading sessions in England solidified Ackie as a top pick, with formal negotiations expected to begin this week.
Described as a body-horror thriller in the vein of The Fly, the film is based on the Batman villain Clayface—a shape-shifting antagonist often portrayed as a tragic figure. The story follows a rising actor whose face is brutally disfigured by a gangster. In desperation, he turns to a rogue scientist who offers an unorthodox solution. While the experiment initially appears successful, it soon spirals into a horrific transformation.
The script comes from horror maestro Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House, Doctor Sleep), bringing his signature eerie sensibility to the DC universe. Clayface is slated for release on September 11, 2026, marking one of the earliest original character entries under James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Studios leadership, even ahead of more established names like Wonder Woman.
The project will be produced by The Batman filmmaker Matt Reeves, along with Gunn, Safran, and Lynn Harris.
For Harries, 35, the role marks a significant leap into the spotlight. He began his career with a part in the BBC fantasy series Jekyll & Hyde and later made his West End debut in Mojo opposite Ben Whishaw and Rupert Grint. He’s since appeared in Apple TV+’s Suspicion, Netflix’s White Lines, and most recently in the Gerard Butler action film Kandahar.
Ackie, who earned acclaim for her portrayal of Whitney Houston, recently starred in the thriller Blink Twice and the indie drama Sorry, Baby, which premiered at Sundance and was acquired by A24. She’ll next be seen in Netflix’s The Thursday Murder Club opposite Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan, as well as Boots Riley’s I Love Boosters.