Considering how long it’s been since Dwayne Johnson was first cast as Black Adam (2014, to be exact), you’d think he’d have played the character in at least one or two films by now. But when you factor in how plans concerning the DC Extended Universe change every time the wind blows in a different direction in Burbank, none can be too sure.
In the time since, a Shazam! movie has actually gotten off the ground, even if Kahndaq’s protector is entirely absent. Confusing as that may be, other opportunities for him to make his debut had been rumored. One placed him as being the chief antagonist in Suicide Squad 2, but that’s been shot down.
When it comes to an actual solo outing, though, nobody aside from Johnson seems to know what’s up, and here’s what “The Rock” had to offer when Filmstarts asked him about the subject in a recent interview:
“With Black Adam, I don’t think we’re going to start early next year. Early next year right now it looks like I’m going to be shooting Jumanji, and then after that, if everything goes well I’ll shoot a movie called Red Notice with Rawson Thurber again, with Gal Gadot, and another actor yet to be named. But Black Adam possibly at the end of next year. It’s coming along great, the script is coming along great we’re very happy with it.”
Even after reading that progress report of sorts, I’m thinking a late 2019 start is quite optimistic. Knowing how Johnson is highly in demand, it wouldn’t surprise anyone of some other project were added to his agenda after the two just mentioned. Plus, Warner Bros. would need to, you know, actually hire a crew for the thing.
Still, we can’t forget all the back-and-forth regarding a Black Adam-Superman smackdown that both Johnson and Henry Cavill playfully like mentioning every now and then. Even though we normally don’t think of Black Adam as a quintessential foe for Big Blue, maybe Man of Steel 2 would be the best place to introduce him – if not in a Shazam! sequel, should the first picture perform well.