Clayface Theory: One Trailer Scene Hints DCU’s New Joker Is Hiding In Plain Sight

James Watkins-directed Clayface, DCU’s upcoming body horror film, just had its teaser trailer released. Starring Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen / Clayface, the trailer has caused quite a buzz for its tragic and monstrous transformation of Harries’ Matt Hagen. The teaser is filled with disturbing and horrific imagery, making the upcoming film a compelling exploration into one of DCU’s most unique villains.

While fans are awe-struck and looking forward to a deep dive into Matt Hagen’s villainous origins, eagle-eyed fans have spotted a detail that suggests the DCU’s most iconic villain might already be lurking in the shadows of Gotham City. A blink-and-you-miss-it shot has ignited a massive theory that The Joker is already here. 

Watch the full teaser here:

Here’s all we know about the upcoming film and its potential Joker Easter Egg.

Amusement Mile Scene Hints DCU Already has its Joker

The debut teaser for James Watkins’ Clayface has officially shifted the DC Universe into the realm of body horror. While the footage focuses heavily on the tragic, melting transformation of Matt Hagen, there is a potential Easter Egg involving Joker. 

In the teaser trailer, a quick cut reveals a neon-soaked sign for Amusement Mile. To casual viewers, the excitement and thrills this way sign might look like just another piece of Gotham City, but on the pages of DC Comics, it is a ringing alarm bell. 

IN DC lore, Amusement Mile is often the base of operations for Joker. Most notably, in Alan Moore’s 1988 graphic novel, Batman: The Killing Joke (which was adapted into an R-rated animated movie released in 2016), the amusement park serves as Joker’s lair and a place where he takes his poor victims. After torturing Barbara Gordon, he kidnaps Commissioner Gordon, makes him sit naked in a carnival ride, and tortures him with photos of his daughter after he has finished abusing her. 

While Amusement Mile is frequently associated with The Joker, it is also frequented by other DC villains across the lore. 

Moreover, in some on-set photos shared by social media users like DC Film News, there are flyers and graffiti on the wall with words like join the Joker and The Jokers during protests against the Gotham City Police Department. While these images did not make it to the teaser trailer, it is clear that this universe is building toward something larger.

Since James Gunn and Peter Safran confirmed Clayface will be part of the DCU (via IGN), this version of Gotham exists in the same world as the upcoming The Brave and the Bold. So, including a Joker-associated location or a subtle hint about the character is a clever move that can become meaningful later.

Clayface Could Be the Perfect Film to Debut DCU’s New Joker

Over the years, we have seen many Joker origin stories. Having another origin story, even though the character’s iconic factor might deserve it, risks repetition and fatigue. From a storytelling perspective, including a location like Amusement Mile and introducing the Joker can avoid the need for another origin story.

By introducing the character in Clayface, the film can serve as instrumental in showcasing how Joker has been quietly shaping Gotham from the shadows for years. Instead of forcing him as a full-fledged character, the film could hint at him through tone, environment, and small details.

As the psychological horror around Clayface’s origins unfolds, in the background, Gotham grows increasingly unstable. It also serves as the perfect environment for a character like Joker to take shape and quietly exert control through the shadows, before his eventual reveal later or in the upcoming The Brave and the Bold.

Seeing that the film allegedly features men and women supporting the Joker while protesting against the questionable GCPD, this time, the fan-favorite villain might perhaps take a different route. Judging from the on-set images, he might be a street-level charismatic leader against the corrupt GCPD before he eventually shows his true colors. 

Since it is a new beginning for the DC universe, there are several possibilities that they can explore. Instead of a separate Joker-origin story, using the upcoming R-rated horror film to introduce the character would be an interesting way to welcome the agent of chaos. 

At the very end, or in a post-credits scene, a laugh or a glimpse would feel far more effective than a traditional introduction. Building anticipation, it would make him feel more like a natural part of Gotham City rather than a headline character being dropped later on.

Category	Details
Title	Clayface
Release Date	October 23, 2026
Director	James Watkins
Lead Actor	Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen / Clayface
Supporting Cast	Naomi Ackie (Dr. Caitlin Bates), Max Minghella (Detective John), Eddie Marsan
Screenwriters	Mike Flanagan
Rating	R
Universe	DCU (Gods and Monsters): Chronologically, the first film in the timeline.

What do you think? Is the Amusement Mile shot a simple Easter Egg, or is the Clown Prince of Crime about to make his DCU debut? Let us know in the comments!

Clayface is scheduled to release on October 23, 2026.