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Welsh actor Tom Rhys Harries has revealed that he frequently crossed paths with Tom Holland while the two were filming major superhero blockbusters in the United Kingdom. The overlap occurred during the simultaneous production of DC Studios' upcoming body-horror thriller Clayface and Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios' record-breaking smash Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
The concurrent filming schedules led to a series of casual encounters between the two actors, who found themselves staying in the same neighborhood outside the studios.
“I was staying in these little cottages not far from the studios, and Tom Holland was staying near me,” Rhys Harries shared, describing the living arrangements during the intense filming windows. “I saw him in the gym a couple of times.”
A Tale of Two Cinematic Universes in the UK
The proximity of the two stars highlights the central role the United Kingdom continues to play in anchoring rival comic book franchises. Production timelines reveal that both features utilized major British filming hubs.
Rhys Harries stars as the tragic, disfigured actor Matt Hagen in Clayface. Directed by James Watkins and executive produced by James Gunn, Peter Safran, and Matt Reeves, the R-rated psychological horror film conducted principal photography from late August until November 2025. Scenes were captured on location across Liverpool and on the soundstages of Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden.
Concurrently, Holland was stepping back into his iconic role as Peter Parker for the 38th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Rather than shooting on the busy streets of Manhattan, director Destin Daniel Cretton and production designer Charles Wood opted to recreate several corners of New York City via a massive, custom-built backlot at England's neighboring Pinewood Studios.
Because Leavesden and Pinewood are located just a short distance apart in the home counties surrounding London, the cast members routinely shared residential areas and recreational facilities between their grueling filming schedules.
Diverging Tones for the Blockbusters
While both actors were training heavily to satisfy the rigorous physical demands of their respective roles, the projects themselves sit at opposite ends of the cinematic spectrum.
Holland's vehicle, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which debuted in global theaters on July 31, 2026, focuses on Peter Parker's isolation following the multiversal erasure of his identity. The action-adventure follows Parker as the extreme dual pressures of his hidden life trigger a sudden physical evolution. The film has recently transitioned to home viewing platforms, rolling out as a premium digital video-on-demand purchase on October 6, 2026.
Conversely, the project keeping Tom Rhys Harries occupied in the gym is a deep dive into psychological body horror. Clayface centers on a rising Hollywood actor whose career is abruptly derailed by a violent disfigurement. Seeking a radical, unverified scientific treatment to restore his appearance, he undergoes a horrific transformation that alters his physical composition into living clay while systematically eroding his grip on sanity.
What Happens Next
Audiences will soon have the opportunity to see the results of Rhys Harries' physical preparation. Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures as an entry in the DCU’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters slate, Clayface is scheduled for a wide theatrical release on October 23, 2026.
Meanwhile, Holland's record-breaking run in Spider-Man: Brand New Day continues to perform strongly across digital storefronts, with physical 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD editions slated to arrive on December 14, 2026.
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