Max Minghella Joins DC Studios’ Horror Film ‘Clayface’: Releases Sept. 2026

Actor Max Minghella, known for his role in Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale, is to potentially join the cast of Clayface, a forthcoming DC Studios horror film directed by James Watkins. The movie, centered around a notorious Batman villain, also stars Tom Rhys Harries and Naomi Ackie. The production will kick off in the UK this fall and is scheduled for release on Sept. 11, 2026.

– Max Minghella, known for his roles in Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale and HBO’s Industry, is in final negotiations to join the cast of DC Studios’ upcoming movie, Clayface, set to begin production this fall in the UK.
– The plot centers on an ascending actor (Tom Rhys Harries) whose face is disfigured by a gangster, turning to a scientist (Naomi Ackie) for help, with Minghella slated to play a police detective dating the scientist, with a release date set for Sept. 11, 2026.
– The project, penned by Mike Flanagan, is described as a body-horror thriller couple with elements of a tragic relationship, reminiscent of David Cronenberg’s 1986 feature, The Fly; Clayface will operate on a budget in the mid-$40 million range.

Final negotiations are currently underway for The Handmaid’s Tale star, Max Minghella, to join the ensemble cast of the forthcoming DC Studios film, Clayface. The film, set for production under DC Studios, will star Max alongside Tom Rhys Harries and Naomi Ackie. The horror film’s storyline is being masterminded by Speak No Evil’s director, James Watkins. The countdown to filming begins as production commences this fall in the UK.

The film’s storyline, penned by Mike Flanagan, focuses on notorious Batman villain Clayface, known for his transforming facial features. The creation and development of the film’s plot reveal obvious parallels and influences from The Fly, David Cronenberg’s iconic 1986 feature. Cronenberg’s star-studded film, with Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis playing central characters, spotlighted the devastating consequences of a scientist merging his DNA with that of a fly – a storyline showcased brilliantly by a journalist documenting the shocking outcome.

Insiders have projected Clayface’s budget to hover around the mid-$40 million margin. The film’s storyline revolves around an ambitious actor’s (played by Harries) life-altering encounter with a gangster leading to the disfigurement of his face. Forced to seek desperate measures, the disfigured actor finds unlikely hope through the unorthodox methods of an Elizabeth Holmes-inspired scientist (played by Ackie). Stepping into the significant role of a Gotham City police officer romantically involved with the scientist, Minghella adds another pivotal character to his impressive acting portfolio. September 11, 2026, is the scheduled date for the film’s cinema release.

Minghella’s portrayal of Nick Blaine, a character with divided loyalties in The Handmaid’s Tale, landed him an Emmy nomination. He recently concluded his role in the fourth season of Industry, the HBO drama series. His psychological thriller, Shell, made its debut at the past Toronto International Film Festival. The film, starring a cast of heavyweights like Elisabeth Moss, Kate Hudson, and Kaia Gerber, was welcomed by an enthusiastic audience.