Clayface star has revealed that he filmed the movie while battling a health grievance. The upcoming film has been teased to offer a more grounded horror story in the DCU. While it may not feature superheroics like Superman, its stunts were still dangerous enough to harm its leading star.
Clayface star’s risky DC scene pushed the actor to the limit
Tom Rhys Harries, who plays lead hero Matt Hagen, has revealed that he filmed the movie while secretly dealing with a torn ACL (via EW). The actor said he didn’t tell the stunt team or production because he feared the injury would stop him from performing key action scenes. Harries pushed through a physically demanding sequence in which his character attends a movie premiere and flees after his face starts melting away. Parts of the scene can be seen in its new trailer.
“I was hobbling because I was like, ‘I don’t know if my knee’s gonna give out,’” said Harries. “I was running around Liverpool at 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. trying to get away with it.” However, the actor clarified that he did have surgery later to heal his knee. “If you ever get the opportunity to tear your ACL, I recommend you don’t take up that opportunity. It’s pretty gnarly.”
“They were like, ‘Alright! So we’re gonna do this in camera. Are you ready? The car’s not gonna hit you too fast.’ I had to say to the stunt coordinator, ‘That action is the worst thing you could do to bust it up.’ But we got away with it! And my knee’s still intact.”
Harries previously appeared in Effi o Blaneu, Madfabulous, The Gentlemen, and more. He has also played roles in TV shows including The Light in the Hall, Wolf King, Suspicion, and others. Clayface will mark the actor’s first role in a comic book adaptation. The film tells the origin story of Clayface, who comic fans know as one of Batman’s most supernatural villains.
Clayface is directed by James Watkins from a screenplay by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini. Besides Harries, the film stars Naomi Ackie, Max Minghella, David Dencik, Aaron Paul, and Eddie Marsan.
Clayface releases in theaters on October 23, 2026.
Originally reported by Rahul Majumdar on SuperHeroHype.com.
