Clayface Opens With $43 Million Worldwide

Clayface opened in North American theaters on October 23, taking in about $43 million worldwide over its opening weekend and leading the global box office, according to reported estimates. The total comprised approximately $24 million domestically and $19 million internationally. Its international rollout began October 21. The opening puts the DC Studios horror film near its reported production budget of about $40 million, but ticket sales alone do not establish whether it is profitable. Cinemas keep part of ticket revenue, and marketing, distribution and other costs also affect returns. The budget is an estimate, and the opening figures were reported as box-office totals rather than verified theater-level records. Directed by James Watkins, the film stars Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen, an actor whose effort to repair his disfigured face leads to an experimental treatment that gives him the ability to change shape. Naomi Ackie plays Dr. Caitlyn Corr. The story follows Hagen’s transformation and revenge in Gotham, bringing the city into the DC Universe’s live-action setting. Watkins said he approached the film as a self-contained story and resisted adding wider franchise...