It may have taken more than ten years, but Black Adam is finally happening with Dwayne Johnson in the role fans always wanted him to play.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment,” Johnson said as DC FanDome’s Black Adam presentation began. “This is the one that changes everything.” The actor and executive producer of the long-awaited film then switched into character to reveal a few details about its story. The short video featured animated concept art created Jim Lee and Boss Logic, and outlined the tale of Adam. 5000 years ago in Kahndaq, a country of magic and injustice, Adam emerged as a champion. But as he put it, “Kahndaq needed a hero and they got me instead.”
He was imprisoned despite possessing the power of Shazam — but now, 5000 years later, Adam is free and he vows no one will ever stop him again.
“Black Adam has been with me for a very long time,” Johnson said after the video. “He’s an anti-hero. I love that. The line is a little blurred and he has his own sense of Black Adam justice. And I love that his origins are that of a slave. He’s felt the pressures of a larger entity holding him down until he can’t take it anymore. It informs how he operates and sees justice. I’ve always appreciated that about him.” Johnson vowed the character will remain a ruthless arbiter of justice. “He is the judge, the jury, and the executioner. He believes in an eye for eye and he will do everything to protect his people; moreso his family.”
Which sounds like we may see Isis and Osiris before the end of the film.
Co-star Noah Centineo joined the presentation to discuss his role as Atom Smasher, a member of the Justice Society who befriends Black Adam. “Al Rothstein really has something to prove — especially with his lineage — and he’s got quite a spirit to help,” he explained. “He goes through this transformation, but not expecting the world of a superhero. It kind of hits him across the face. He gets to see someone like Black Adam, who takes a different approach, and it’s exciting.”
And yes, Atom Smasher will come into the film as a member of the Justice Society of America. Though Johnson didn’t want to give the whole team away, he revealed a surprising roster of Hawkman, Dr. Fate, Cyclone, and the aforementioned Atom Smasher. But from the presentation, it is clear his relationship with the team will be adversarial.
We can’t wait to see if Black Adam will be the film to make Hawkman look cool in live action. He’s a special character because that design looks awesome on the page, but is often a letdown in shows like Smallville and Legends of Tomorrow. But just knowing the JSA will be featured in the film gets our long-time DC fan hearts pumping.
“We’re excited to deliver this to you guys,” Johnson said as he closed the presentation. But he also issued a word of warning to the top tier DC heroes: “Things will never be the same … the hierarchy of power in the DC Universe is about to change.”
Black Adam is set for release on December 22nd, 2021.
It may have taken more than ten years, but Black Adam is finally happening with Dwayne Johnson in the roleCOMICONRead More