Dwayne Johnsonfinally gets his own superhero film as he enters the DC universe as Black Adam. Given that Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is one of the most widely known actors across the world and has an affinity to star in the action genre, it is quite surprising that it has taken the actor this long to land a superhero role. However, now that it’s finally here, fans of The Rock look forward in anticipation to how the actor will navigate the superhero trope.
The role that the star is set to portray is one that he has been passionate about for a considerable amount of time. Johnson was approached for the character of Shazam in 2007 but refused, claiming that he preferred toplay the role of the antihero, Black Adaminstead. Johnson, talking of the role at the time, said, “He’s a character that I can’t wait to play.” Now, more than 15 years down the line, it looks like the actor’s wishes are finally coming true.
Regarding the plot ofBlack Adam,Warner Bros has revealed just one, almost ominous, line. It reads:
The hierarchy of power in the DC Universe is about to change.
Although most plot details have been kept under wraps, a few have managed to leak through. Black Adam is portrayed as the nemesis of Shazam and a rather dark and violent antihero in the DC comic books. Black Adam, whose real name is Teth-Adam, was a slave in Kahndaq. Black Adam was initially given the same powers as Shazam, the powers of the Gods, and was referred to as Mighty Adam. Using his powers, he liberated and subsequently ruled the people of Kahndaq. However, the Gods, who were disapproving of his use of power, imprisoned Mighty Adam, who thereafter came to be known as Black Adam. TheBlack Adammovie is set to follow the narrative of Black Adam after he breaks free from purgatory 5,000 years after being imprisoned.
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Although Black Adam is not a famously known superhero, he is regarded as one of the most powerful characters in the DC Universe. This may be why Warner Bros. warns that the hierarchy of power in the DC Universe is about to change.Speaking of the character, Johnson said, “He does not practice restraint. That makes for a really powerful combination and one that’s explosive, one that’s really dangerous, and one that is, ultimately, very likable, to me at least.”
Despite specifics of the plot not being revealed, avid readers of the comics have speculated that Black Adam may try to reestablish his kingdom while facing opposition from the Justice Society of America. As such, the plot line may center on a war between the two parties. However, these are mere speculations, and the movie’s narrative may take an entirely different path.
The cast ofBlack Adamis remarkable in that all cast members will portray characters who will be depicted in a movie for the very first time. The confirmed star-studded cast line-up includes Dwayne Johnson as Black Adam, Pierce Brosnan as Doctor Fate, Noah Centineo as Atom Smasher, Sarah Shahi as Adrianna Tomaz, Aldis Hodge as Hawkman, and Quintessa Swindell as Cyclone. Adrianna Tomaz plays an influential role in the comics as Black Adam’s love interest and the one capable of taming Black Adam’s dark and violent side. Only time will tell if the character will embody a similar role in the movie. Further, the film will also feature the Justice Society of America, a team of superheroes who are predecessors to the Justice League. However, only a handful of heroes from the team are said to be making an appearance in the movie.
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Names such as Bodhi Sabongui, Mo Amer, and Marwan Kenzari are also said to be joining the cast ofBlack Adam,although their roles have not yet been specified. Zachary Levi and Asher Angel, who play the roles of Shazam and Billy Batson, willnot be joining the cast ofBlack Adamdespite the strong link that theBlack Adammovie carries toShazam.
Everything Else We Know
Dwayne Johnson has been holding out for the role of Black Adam and working on theBlack Adammovie for many years. Johnson has worked with his production company, Seven Bucks, and producer, Hiram Garcia, to make theBlack Adammovie a reality. The film has evolved into a sort of passion project for Johnson. Speaking at the DC FanDome, Johnson said:
“Black Adam has been with me for a very long time. This has been a project that has been in development for a very long time. Over 10 years…One of the main things that I’ve always loved and admired about Black Adam was number one he’s an anti-hero. I love that. I love that the line is a little blurred, that he doesn’t toe the mark, I love that he doesn’t walk the line.I love that he has his own sense of Black Adam justice.”
Johnson’s love for the role of the antihero, Black Adam, propelled Black Adam to get his own standalone movie, instead of the originally planned side-role Black Adam would have played inShazam.The film will do nothing to downplay the violent side of Black Adam, with director Jaume Collet-Serra tellingVarietythat he’ll be leaning into the “grittier side of Johnson’s winning persona.” As such, viewers can definitely expect to see a darker side of The Rock than they are normally accustomed to.
After many delays resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, as per the Warner Bros. website,Black Adamhad been set for theatrical release on June 22, 2025. However, due to a reshuffle of the Warner Bros movie schedule, the movie’s release has now been pushed back to June 01, 2025.
