Max Minghella, a standout star from Hulu's critically acclaimed series "The Handmaid’s Tale," is in the homestretch of negotiations to join the esteemed ensemble of "Clayface," DC Studios' upcoming horror film poised to enter production. Minghella will collaborate with Tom Rhys Harries and Naomi Ackie under the direction of James Watkins, the mastermind behind "Speak No Evil," for this chilling venture set to commence filming this autumn in the United Kingdom.
Penned by Mike Flanagan, "Clayface" delves into the realm of body horror, centering on a notorious Batman villain renowned for his shape-shifting abilities. This project is likened to David Cronenberg's 1986 sci-fi horror masterpiece "The Fly," starring Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis, in terms of its eerie atmosphere and intricate narrative structure, which revolves around a scientist's tragic fusion with fly DNA and the journalist documenting his groundbreaking – yet catastrophic – discovery.
With a budget reportedly hovering around the mid-$40 million mark, "Clayface" narrates the tale of an aspiring actor (Harries) whose promising career takes a harrowing turn when his face is grotesquely disfigured by a ruthless gangster. Desperate and seeking a miracle, the actor turns to an unconventional scientist (Ackie), reminiscent of Elizabeth Holmes, for a potential cure. Minghella steps into the role of a Gotham City police detective entangled in a romantic relationship with this enigmatic scientist.
Scheduled for a dramatic release on September 11, 2026, "Clayface" promises to be a cinematic spectacle. Minghella's portrayal of the conflicted Nick Blaine in "The Handmaid’s Tale," which concluded this spring, garnered him an Emmy nomination. Having recently wrapped up the fourth season of the acclaimed HBO series "Industry," and with his psychological thriller "Shell" premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival, starring Elisabeth Moss, Kate Hudson, and Kaia Gerber, Minghella continues to solidify his status as a versatile and captivating performer.
