James Gunn’s DCU is in for a scary time, quite literally, as fans prepare for the arrival of Batman villain Clayface, the shapeshifter. The wizard Harry Potter, played by Daniel Radcliffe, was eyed to play the DC criminal, but James Gunn has debunked rumours.
James Gunn denies the rumors that Daniel Radcliffe is being eyed for ‘Clayface.’ “Daniel is great but we certainly haven’t talked to or considered him. So this one is 100% false.” byu/lawrencedun2002 inDCULeaks
James Gunn is notorious for either revealing too much or too little about projects, and since he thinks “Daniel is great,” I believe that the Hollywood star would be the ideal Clayface for a number of reasons.
1. Daniel Radcliffe and Clayface Have Played B-movie roles
Daniel Radcliffe in Swiss Army Man | Credit: A24
Clayface has a character arc as Basil Karlo, who embodies the failed B-movie stereotype, heavily inspired by the 1940s outlook of horror films as camp by Hollywood. The tragic figure’s story will be used in the upcoming flick, as kinocheck reports that the film centres on a B-movie actor who takes a mysterious substance to give his career a new lease of life.
Sounds oddly familiar, as Daniel Radcliffe’s career post-Harry Potter has been a string of off-kilter films like Swiss Army Man and Guns Akimbo, with a random appearance in the Now You See Me franchise. The actor is struggling to find a footing as a relevant name in the industry, whether by choice or not. I believe his story has a high chance of mimicking that of Clayface’s own.
2. Daniel Radcliffe’s Versatility Works Well With Horror Experience
The child actor-turned-superstar saw a decline in fame after his franchise ended, but the truth is, I really like the diverse set of horror movies he chose. Most of them showcased a very intense Radcliffe, like in Horns, combining psychological with body horror (sound familiar?). Here are the films he’s acted in that showcase his range, along with the multiple horror roles he’s done.
FilmRoleCharacter DescriptionVersatility DemonstratedThe Woman in Black (2012)Arthur KippsHaunted lawyer facing a vengeful ghost in a gothic tale.Moody intensity and subtle dread in atmospheric horror.Horns (2013)Ig PerrishA man growing demonic horns with mind-control powers.Dark comedy infused with supernatural terror and emotional depth.Victor Frankenstein (2015)Igor StrausmanDeformed assistant to a mad scientist reviving the dead.Moral complexity in reanimated horror and physical transformation.Swiss Army Man (2016)MannyMagical, flatulent corpse aiding a suicidal man.Full commitment to surreal absurdity and tearjerking drama.Guns Akimbo (2019)Miles MalloyAn ordinary gamer forced into a deadly game with guns bolted to his hands.High-adrenaline with reluctant heroics and comical action.Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (2022)“Weird Al” YankovicExaggerated biopic of the parody musician’s wild life.Manic humour, musical flair, and dramatic exaggeration to perfection.
Daniel Radcliffe’s insane range of choices, whether successful or not, is what I believe will make him worthy of portraying the tormented and complex figure of Clayface. Plus, with Guns Akimbo, I truly saw Radcliffe comically do physical stunts and heroics.
3. James Gunn Can Revitalise Harry Potter’s Career
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows | Credit: Warner Bros.
James Gunn has revitalised the careers of many Hollywood actors like Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, and also cemented two big WWE legends, John Cena and Dave Batista, as solid, reliable Hollywood stars. I can vouch for Gunn’s tendency to choose artistic integrity, making Radcliffe a viable candidate given his roles after a global franchise.
The oddball roles will work in Daniel Radcliffe’s favour, should he choose to take on the role of the tragic villain, and Gunn’s collaborative nature will see one heck of a movie being made.
Clayface is expected to release on September 11, 2026, in the U.S.
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