Entertainment · Film · 4 hrs ago
DCU’s Clayface Changes Matt Hagen’s Comic-Book Origins and Powers
The DCU’s Clayface film gives Matt Hagen a different origin from his comic-book counterpart.
In the comics, Hagen first appeared in 1961 as a treasure hunter who found a pool of protoplasm and became the second character to use the Clayface name.
The film instead presents Hagen as a successful actor whose face is disfigured, a background closer to Basil Karlo, the original Clayface.
Karlo’s comic-book story involved using a chemical called Renu to reshape his face and body, with long-term use making his powers permanent.
Comic-book Hagen’s powers from the pool lasted only a few days at first, while the film links Hagen’s powers to Dr. Caitlyn Corr.
These changes show how the film combines parts of different Clayface histories; the account does not say what happens next in the story.
The DCU’s 2026 Clayface movie changes Matt Hagen’s comic-book backstory and powers.
In the comics, Hagen first appeared in 1961 as a treasure hunter who gained shapeshifting powers from a pool of protoplasm.
The movie’s Hagen is described as more like Basil Karlo, the original Clayface, who was a successful actor whose face was disfigured.
In the comics, Hagen’s powers from the protoplasm lasted only a few days before he needed to return to the pool.
The article says the movie’s version gets his powers from Dr. Caitlyn Corr.
- Who
- Matt Hagen, played by Tom Rhys Harries, is the DCU’s Clayface.
- What
- The 2026 movie changes Hagen’s origins and powers from their comic-book versions.
- When
- The movie is described as a 2026 release. Hagen first appeared in comics in 1961.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- The article describes the movie’s changes but does not state why they were made.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Basil Karlo debuted as the original Clayface in Detective Comics #40.
Matt Hagen first appeared in Detective Comics #298 as a treasure hunter who gained powers from protoplasm.
- Movie year
- 2026
- Actor
- Tom Rhys Harries plays Matt Hagen
- Hagen’s comic debut
- 1961, Detective Comics #298
- Original Clayface
- Basil Karlo debuted in 1940, Detective Comics #40
- Comic-book power source
- A pool of protoplasm
- Movie power source
- Dr. Caitlyn Corr