You have to admire Dwayne Johnson’s persistence. The actor has been attached to a big screen adaptation of the DC Comics character Black Adam for a long time now and it seems as if at least partially it is only finally getting in front of cameras due to sheer force of his will.
But finally going into production it is – depending on when coronavirus concerns make it feasible – and during the rather short Black Adam panel during today’s online DC FanDome event, Johnson unveiled some concept art for the movie, confirmed the rumors of three other characters who will appear and dropped a veiled hint as to someone else who may show up.
Some of the concept art revealed sets up the premise of the film, how 5,000 years ago the magicians who would ultimately give Billy Batson the powers of Shazam granted those same powers to a slave in order to lead a revolt to free the slaves. But Adam made some morally dubious choices – “I did what needed to be done,” Johnson intoned in the panel’s opener – he is imprisoned until the modern day where he escapes, still bent on his mission of dark justice.
We know that in the film Black Adam will be encountering members of the Justice Society superhero team since the casting of Noah Centineo as the hero Atom Smasher last month. And the reveal of concept art below for the film also shows Dr. Fate, Hawkman and Cyclone – characters recently rumored to be appearing in the film.
But it was while answering a fan question about who would he think would be an interesting DC charater for Black Adam to team up with that stood out.
You know, I always thought it might be cool to hang out with Superman. It would be cool, right? I mean we’re kind of similar in terms of our powers, our strengths, our speeds. Because look, at the end of the day, you never know, Black Adam and Superman could be come friends.
[Pause and pointed stare at the camera]
Or, they won’t.
Who knows? Maybe we’ll see.
Yeah, given Johnson’s persona during events like this, that feels like a hint to me.
And it does seem to confirm one theory that had been floating about in fandom. This past May, it was reported that Henry Cavill would be returning to play Superman in one more DCEU film and speculation quickly began as to what film it could be. One of the contenders in that speculation was Black Adam given, as Johnson notes, their similar power levels would make for an interesting throw down.
But as Johnson says, we’ll see on December 22, 2021 when Black Adam hits theaters.
