The ECHO takes a look at why Liverpool was transformed this week
The Philharmonic Hall was transformed for the filming on Hope Street(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Liverpool has been transformed this week as production got underway for Clayface. Liverpool is now firmly established as a hub for film and TV and we are well accustomed to the sight of camera crews in the city.
However, the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster has been one of the most eye-catching productions yet, as it is utilising some city landmarks in ways we’ve never seen before. Just this week, the famous Philharmonic Hall was transformed into a nightclub named Vesuvius.
Images from the ECHO’s Iain Watts captured the building as it has never looked before. The classic frontage was replaced with a neon lit Vesuvius sign for the nighttime scenes.
A famous face was spotted during the scenes, as Max Minghella, who plays Nick in the hit TV show, The Handmaid’s Tale, was spotted standing outside the Hope Street venue. It is understood he plays a detective in Clayface.
The Philharmonic Hall appears to be the site of a set piece in the movie as filming captured police cars arriving outside the nightclub as a detective runs inside.
Hope Street wasn’t the only site in Merseyside to be taken over by filming this week as there was also a fairground scenes being shot in New Brighton.
Vintage cars were spotted outside Adventureland in Wirral ahead of the scenes, which were shot on Thursday, September 11.
Vintage cars in New Brighton for the filming of Clayface(Image: Liverpool Echo)
The Cunard Building and Water Street have also been used for filming during the huge production. Overflowing bins stencilled with fake graffiti lined the street outside Gaucho. Rain towers could be seen cascading rain onto the set as actors huddled under umbrellas.
Filming for Clayface has seen Liverpool once again be used the backdrop for the fictional city of Gotham as the Hollywood film is set to be another entry into the DC Universe.
Liverpool has been Gotham before in 2022’s The Batman. However, this new instalment will not take place in this same universe, which saw Robert Pattinson play the Caped Crusader.
Clayface is one of the lesser known characters in the DC Universe and the production is the first time the shape-shifter will have his own film. Clayface was first introduced as part of Detective Comics #40 in June 1940 – and his origin story sees him driven mad as he adopts the identity of a character he played in a horror film.
The film has been co-written by Mike Flanagan, who is known for his work on horror TV series such as the Netflix hit, the Haunting of Hill House.
The story was co-written with Hossein Amini, who is renowned for penning the hit Ryan Gosling cult film, Drive. The film has been directed by James Watkins, who has directed horror films such as Eden Lake and the Women in Black.
According to Deadline, Tom Rhys Harries has been cast in the title role of the film and little else is known about the story. Deadline also reported it is expected to be released on September 11, 2026 and will be DC Studios’ blockbuster release after next summer’s Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.