The possibility of Daniel Radcliffe starring in the DCU’s Clayface movie has sparked significant fan interest, which could solidify Radcliffe’s lasting appeal in the superhero genre. Known for his iconic role in Harry Potter, Radcliffe has taken on diverse roles that showcase his range, making him a strong candidate for the Clayface character, especially given the film’s horror elements. Despite rumors of Radcliffe’s involvement being debunked, the unconfirmed nature of the project’s casting stage leaves room for speculation. His past performances demonstrate that he could capture the duality of Clayface—both terrifying and sympathetic—while potentially avoiding a long-term commitment.
I’m truly captivated by the recent discussions surrounding the possibility of Daniel Radcliffe stepping into the role of the lead actor in the DCU Clayface movie. If this prospect became a reality, it would likely secure my lifelong interest in DC films. Daniel Radcliffe has been a well-known figure since the early 2000s, and it’s arguably more challenging not to know who he is than to be aware of his impressive acting journey, which soared to new heights with the Harry Potter series. However, it is the years following that have opened up some incredibly thrilling opportunities in the superhero realm.
While many child actors understandably choose to retire or switch careers, Radcliffe has explored a remarkable variety of roles, ensuring that his body of work remains refreshingly eclectic. Although recent rumors about him joining the cast of the Clayface movie have turned out to be less accurate than I had anticipated, the manner in which they were dismissed hints that the future might still allow for the actor to embody the iconic earthen antagonist, and I’m eagerly hoping this could be the case.
Daniel Radcliffe Has Long Been A Top Fancasting For Marvel & DC’s Superhero Movies
Daniel Radcliffe has always been among the top names mentioned in superhero fancastings, likely due to a blend of his prominent reputation as an actor and the remarkable talent he’s displayed since childhood, which has only grown through his career. His filmography showcases his ability to dive into comedic roles or take a serious approach—or even blend both—which opens up a wide array of possibilities for him in the superhero genre.
One of the most popular fancasting theories has been the idea of casting Radcliffe as Wolverine in the MCU. This suggestion has been posed even to Hugh Jackman, who played Wolverine, during an interview with LadBibleTV when asked if Radcliffe could portray Wolverine or even Harry Potter. Jackman humorously responded, “Of course he could play [Wolverine]… the question was could he play it? I didn’t say he’d play it well.
Radcliffe has also addressed the notion, but he has tried to temper fan excitement regarding a potential Wolverine casting. In a 2022 GQ interview, he mentioned that the rumors about such an opportunity were “purely a press tour rumor” and again dispelled speculation about the role when it resurfaced in 2023. He noted to Variety, “I got buff because I am obsessive, and I want to… No Wolverine. Flattered, but no.” Nonetheless, one casting option in the DC universe appears to be more plausible for him than Wolverine.
The Rumor Daniel Radcliffe Could Be The DCU Clayface Movie’s Star Is Almost Too Good For The Franchise To Pass Up Even If It’s Not True
Rumors began circulating that Daniel Radcliffe was being considered for the leading role in the DCU’s Clayface movie soon after its official announcement. This sparked excitement among fans, especially given Radcliffe’s eclectic post-Harry Potter career, which has included numerous unconventional and intriguing roles. This suggests that the role could not only fit well within his filmography but also significantly enhance the DC Universe project.
While James Gunn dismissed these rumors on Threads in February 2025, stating that Radcliffe hadn’t been considered due to the film not reaching the casting phase yet, he emphasized, “As we confirmed the other day, we’re closing a deal with James to direct. Because we don’t have a director yet, we haven’t even started the casting process. Daniel is great but we certainly haven’t talked to or considered him. So this one is 100% false.” Importantly, the fact these rumors were dispelled simply because the casting process hasn’t commenced does open the door to possibilities.
Ultimately, the buzz surrounding Radcliffe’s potential casting likely means that the filmmakers will consider fan favorites as the casting approaches. Indeed, James Gunn has previously noted, “When I’m casting a role, I sometimes see who fans have suggested online for folks I or my casting directors haven’t considered.” He added that this hasn’t been a major factor in past castings. Nevertheless, Daniel Radcliffe’s star power, exceptional talent, and rich acting history certainly position him as a strong candidate for a pivotal role in the DCU.
I Genuinely Believe Daniel Radcliffe Could Be The Best Clayface Casting Imaginable For The DCU Movie
Although Daniel Radcliffe is still primarily associated with his decade-long portrayal of Harry Potter, his diverse acting experiences make him seem like a stellar choice for the role of Clayface in the DCU film. Radcliffe has starred in various horror films throughout his career, including leading roles in The Woman In Black and the comedy horror Horns, as well as appearing in Victor Frankenstein. Given that the DCU’s Clayface film is anticipated to delve into body horror, an actor with experience in horror films seems well-suited for the narrative.
Moreover, Radcliffe’s wide range of projects over the past decade paints a promising picture regarding his potential as Clayface in the upcoming DC film, since he has successfully managed to portray a variety of roles that are challenging to cast or execute correctly. He has convincingly played a talking corpse with magical abilities, a man with guns bolted to his hands, and Weird Al Yankovic, making each of these performances equally entertaining and captivating. This strongly suggests he could bring the same level of success to the shapeshifting character of Clayface.
Daniel Radcliffe appeared as a seemingly magical corpse in Swiss Army Man, played a character with guns bolted to his hands in Guns Akimbo, and took on the role of Weird Al Yankovic in Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.
While many fans have wanted to see him in a superhero film as Wolverine, that seems less likely given Hugh Jackman’s return to the role in Deadpool & Wolverine. Conversely, even if both options were available, I believe the Clayface role presents a distinctive allure that a Wolverine casting does not, as it not only echoes the unconventional routes of many of Radcliffe’s previous roles but also showcases a character who can be portrayed as both terrifying and deeply relatable, even as he embraces a villainous trajectory.
Though the DCU faces a similar issue to Wolverine with Alan Tudyk already voicing Clayface in the DCU’s Creature Commandos, there are viable solutions—most straightforwardly, Tudyk could voice the fully transformed “monster” Clayface, while Radcliffe would portray the unfortunate individual gradually morphing into a clay-like being far removed from human form. This setup could also allow Radcliffe to avoid a lengthy commitment to the role, potentially making his participation as the lead in the Clayface movie much more feasible.