The new DC universe horror film Clayface will receive an unofficial release in Russian cinemas starting October 29, despite the continued absence of Warner Bros from the country.
The film premieres globally on October 23, but will not be officially distributed in Russia. Major Hollywood studios, including Warner Bros, halted their operations and withdrew their releases from the country following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Russian cinemas have now confirmed an unofficial release date for the thriller. The movie will debut in Russia one week after it opens in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
Russian dubbing
Audiences will be able to watch the film with the official Russian-language dubbing produced for the CIS market. Some Russian cinema chains will begin screening the movie slightly later, on Saturday, October 31.
The practice of screening unauthorized copies of Hollywood films with CIS dubbing has become a regular workaround for Russian cinemas seeking to maintain their schedules without official distribution deals.
Matt Hagen origin story
The film is part of the DC cinematic universe and focuses on the origins of the character Matt Hagen. Hagen is an actor whose face is severely disfigured by criminals.
In an attempt to save his acting career, Hagen agrees to undergo an experimental procedure. The experiment grants him the ability to alter his appearance at will, but the new power ultimately transforms him into the monster known as Clayface.
In the original DC comic books, Clayface is one of the primary villains facing the superhero Batman. The character has previously appeared in various animated series and video games.
Horror credentials
The movie features a cast including Tom Rhys Harries, known for The Gentlemen, alongside Eddie Marsan from The Illusionist and The Social Network actor Max Minghella.
James Watkins directs the picture. Watkins recently directed the thriller Speak No Evil starring James McAvoy. The script was written by Mike Flanagan, the filmmaker behind the horror series The Haunting of Hill House and the Stephen King adaptation Doctor Sleep.
