Box Office: ‘Clayface’ Makes $3.5 Million in Previews

One of Batman’s creepiest villains is descending upon the box office this weekend.

Warner Bros. and DC Studios’ “Clayface” made $3.5 million in Thursday previews at the box office, and it’ll face some tough competition from the buzzy Elizabeth Holmes documentary “You Can See Everything” from A24.

“Clayface” is projected to make $25 million to $35 million in its opening weekend, though some rival estimates put it lower at $22 million to $28 million. The R-rated comic book movie cost just $44 million to produce, much lower than fellow DC movies like “Superman” and “Supergirl,” so it should be easy to turn a profit. It’s on track to add $20 million to $25 million overseas for a global opening of $45 million to $55 million. Directed by James Watkins, “Clayface” follows the shape-shifting Batman foe, who starts out as a Hollywood actor who undergoes a dangerous medical procedure that goes horribly wrong.

Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim’s “You Can See Everything” is expanding from 855 theaters to 2,600 in its second weekend, which could see the bizarre documentary nab $20 million to $25 million. It shattered expectations and made $15.6 million in its limited opening, which was the largest launch for a nonmusical documentary in 20 years. The directors filmed Theranos CEO Holmes ahead of her 11-year prison sentence, and the movie has been building hype and Oscar buzz in the last few weeks.

As “Clayface” and “You Can See Everything” battle for first place, they’ll both prevail over several fellow new releases this weekend. Black Bear’s rom-com “Wicker,” starring Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård, made $620,000 in Thursday previews and is expected to make $6 million to $8 million by Sunday. Laika’s stop-motion animated movie “Wildwood” is aiming for a debut in the same range. Sony and director Taika Waititi’s “Klara and the Sun,” starring Jenna Ortega, is expected to make just $2 million. Finally, Sacha Baron Cohen’s comedy “Ali G: Who Iz I?” is playing in just 125 theaters before it moves to streaming on Prime Video at a later date.