Tom Rhys Harries has opened up about the demanding process that led him to land the lead role in DC Studios’ Clayface. The Welsh actor revealed that his audition journey included a grueling screen test that stretched across multiple days, making the experience one of the most intense moments of his career. Harries plays Matt Hagen, the shapeshifting actor at the centre of the DC Universe's body-horror film.
While the role has introduced him to a much wider audience, earning the part was far from straightforward. The actor recently reflected on the exhaustive casting process and the pressure of competing for one of DC's most unusual leading roles. Clayface, directed by James Watkins, was released in theatres on October 23, 2026, with Harries' performance receiving praise for bringing emotional depth to the character's transformation.
Tom Rhys Harries Faced a Grueling Multi-Day Screen Test
Landing the role of Matt Hagen required Harries to go through an intensive screen-testing process. The actor described the experience as physically and emotionally demanding, with the test extending over several days. The lengthy process reflected the importance of finding the right performer for the character. Clayface is not a conventional superhero role, as the story centres on an actor whose life takes a disturbing turn as his body and identity begin to change.
Harries had to demonstrate that he could handle both sides of the character: the emotional vulnerability of Matt Hagen and the darker transformation that turns him into Clayface. The extensive search for the role ultimately ended with Harries being chosen to lead the film. The casting decision placed the actor at the centre of a major DC Studios production and gave him the opportunity to portray one of Batman's most distinctive villains in a completely different kind of comic-book movie.
The Actor Brings Matt Hagen's Emotional Journey to Life
Clayface follows Matt Hagen, an actor whose desperate attempt to hold on to his life and career leads him down a dangerous path. The film leans heavily into psychological horror and body horror, setting it apart from more traditional superhero stories. For Harries, the role required more than simply playing a famous comic-book villain. Matt's journey is rooted in the fear of losing his identity and everything he has built.
DC Studios co-head James Gunn praised Harries' performance, saying that the actor brings emotional weight to the horror by making audiences feel what Matt loses as he becomes a monster. That emotional complexity appears to have been a crucial part of the casting process. The filmmakers needed an actor who could make the character's transformation feel personal and tragic rather than relying solely on the film's horror elements.
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Growing Up With Batman Helped Shape His Connection to Clayface
Harries has also spoken about his familiarity with the Batman universe while growing up. Although Clayface introduces his version of Matt Hagen to the DC Universe, the actor was already aware of the character through his earlier experiences with Batman stories. His childhood connection to the world of Gotham gave him a personal entry point into the role.
However, the film takes a focused approach to Matt's story rather than turning the character into a supporting figure in a larger Batman adventure. Director James Watkins has explained that the film is centred on Matt Hagen and deliberately keeps the focus on his journey. The approach allows Harries to carry a character-driven story about ambition, transformation and the consequences of chasing what has been lost.
Clayface Marks a Major Moment in Tom Rhys Harries' Career
The role represents a significant career milestone for Harries, placing him at the forefront of a major studio production after years of work across film, television and theatre. His performance has become one of the film's biggest talking points, particularly because Clayface asks audiences to connect with a character who gradually becomes something terrifying.
The film also represents a tonal shift for the DC Universe. By combining a comic-book character with body horror and psychological drama, Clayface offers a different kind of origin story. For Harries, surviving the demanding multi-day screen test ultimately opened the door to one of the biggest roles of his career. The experience may have been exhausting, but it helped him secure the chance to bring Matt Hagen's tragic transformation to the big screen.
Final Take
Tom Rhys Harries' journey to becoming DC's Clayface began with a demanding multi-day screen test that tested his ability to capture both Matt Hagen's vulnerability and his darker transformation. The role has since become a major career milestone, with his performance earning praise for adding emotional weight to the film's body-horror story. For Harries, the exhausting audition process proved to be the first step toward bringing one of DC's most unusual characters to life.
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