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Dwayne Johnson Has Big Plans For His New DCEU Anti-Hero Black Adam
Dwayne Johnson is committed to expanding the Black Adam universe in the DCEU, as the actor takes on the iconic anti-hero. One of the superhero films that has been a long time coming in the DCEU is Black Adam, led by Shazam's ultimate antagonist from the original comics. However, the DCEU iteration will take a slightly different approach as Johnson's character will be depicted as an anti-hero. After over a decade since Johnson was cast as Black Adam, his solo film is finally arriving in theaters later this year.
Black Adam will follow Teth-Adam and his dark origin story, from being enslaved to becoming the DC icon. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, Black Adam will see how Teth-Adam becomes a crucial player in the DCEU, before his inevitable clash with Zachary Levi's Shazam. While Black Adam serves as the character's live-action debut, the DCEU product will also bring the Justice Society of America to the big screen. Every since his casting, Johnson has made it clear that the hierarchy of power in the DCEU would change with the arrival of Black Adam.
With less than six months to go before its theatrical release, Screen Rant recently participated in a Black Adam press event, with Johnson attending. When asked if Johnson sees himself portraying this role for years to come, the actor stressed that his commitment to Black Adam goes beyond his own character, but also reaches the wider DCEU. Throughout the junket, Johnson spoke heavily about how he intends to work closely with the creative team over the coming years when it comes to Black Adam's place in the DC franchise, sharing the following:
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"I am 100% committed to not only Black Adam, but then expanding the Black Adam universe and the DC universe. I am an optimist from the word go, so to me - and to all of us up here - all universes exist in our heads. We all will work very hard to make sure that we're honoring the mythology, but also giving the fans what they want. And I hear [them]; we all do. I pick up everything that they're putting down, and it doesn't get by me; it doesn't get by these guys. This is the beginning - hopefully, fingers crossed - of a very long storytelling road where Black Adam is the anchoring jet fuel that will then push and press this universe out."
It is certainly interesting to hear Johnson describe Black Adam as having a "universe," as the first installment in this seemingly planned saga is yet to release. However, given the many, many years it has taken to move Black Adam out of development limbo and finally begin production, Johnson is understandably committed to ensuring this effort is paid off. If the actor has his way, it seems that Black Adam's anti-hero will may a significant role in other DC films going forward.
The bigger mystery, following Johnson's response, is exactly when and where Black Adam will be seen after his solo film. While the DCEU sequel movie Shazam! Fury of the Gods is also being released in theaters this year, there hasn't been any word yet on a Shazam 3. Indeed, a third Shazam installment seems like a perfect destination for Johnson and Levi's DC characters to finally cross paths. But with Black Adam getting closer to its release date, time will tell just how significant this new character will be in the DCEU, and what his future may hold.
Black Adam (2022)
Release Date: Oct 21, 2022
