Kieran Culkin is heading into the world of animation with Disney’s upcoming original feature Clay. The project was unveiled by Walt Disney Animation Studios chief creative officer Jared Bush at the D23 fan event, where the studio announced that Culkin will lend his voice to the film. Clay is currently slated to arrive in theatres in November 2028.
The film follows Flip, a man selected to become a mentor in his community. However, his first student is far from ordinary — he is a literal ball of clay. What begins as an unusual mentorship quickly turns into an adventure when Flip finds himself responsible for keeping his young, malleable companion safe while travelling through a fantastical forest.
Culkin will voice Flip, while the actor who will provide the voice for the clay character has not yet been revealed. Disney also showcased concept artwork for the film during the presentation, giving audiences an early glimpse at its distinctive fantasy world.
The casting marks another major addition to Culkin’s increasingly varied filmography. The actor won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and a Golden Globe for his performance in A Real Pain in 2025. He previously earned an Emmy and a Golden Globe for playing Roman Roy in the HBO series Succession.
Culkin will next be seen in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, where he takes on the role of Caesar Flickerman, originally played by Stanley Tucci in the earlier franchise films. He is also attached to Nancy Meyers’ upcoming Warner Bros. film, expected to release in 2027.
Clay was among several announcements made during Disney’s D23 showcase. The studio also confirmed Zootopia 3 and revealed new cast members for Hexed, including Jodie Foster and Walton Goggins, who join Hailee Steinfeld. Pixar, meanwhile, showcased upcoming projects including Incredibles 3 and Coco 2.
