After years spent in development limbo, fans are finally getting a taste of what's in store for Dwayne Johnson's Black Adam. Back in November 2019, Johnson broke the news that the long-awaited film [1] featuring him as the classic DC villain would be dropping on 22 Dec., 2021. The Disney's Jungle Cruise [2] actor shared an image of himself in Black Adam's classic costume, writing, "As a kid, Superman was the hero I always wanted to be. But, a few years into my fantasy, I realised that Superman was the hero, I could never be. Now, years later as a man, with the same DNA I had as a kid - my superhero dreams have come true. I'm honoured to join the iconic #DCUniverse and it's a true pleasure to become BLACK ADAM."
Though the announcement went out in 2019, production on the film had to take a backseat due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But during DC Fandome, the virtual weekend convention for all things DC, a visibly excited Johnson revealed more information on the upcoming film, including animated concept drawings and the featured cast of characters. Not only are we getting the star in all his spandex-clad glory as Black Adam, but fans will also meet DC's Justice Society of America, including Hawkman, Dr. Fate, and Cyclone alongside Noah Centineo's Atom Smasher [3].
Keep reading for everything we know about Black Adam so far and brace yourself for it all to go down when the film premieres on 22 Dec., 2021.
What Will Black Adam Be About?
Although Black Adam is traditionally considered a villain in the DC Comics and regularly pits himself against Shazam and is the nemesis of the Marvel Family [4], Johnson's rendition sees himself as an antihero.
"Superheroes have to exhibit a little bit of restraint in taking care of the bad guys," Johnson said during the DC FanDome panel for Black Adam [5], according to Entertainment Tonight. "[Black Adam] does not practice restraint. That combination makes him explosive, very dangerous, and very likable, at least to me."
A solid synopsis for the film hasn't been revealed, but according to Johnson, "things will never be the same hierarchy in the DC universe, it's about to change."
Who Is in the Black Adam Cast?
Noah Centineo has been the only cast member added to the film, and he's already training up! During the DC Fandome's Black Adam panel, the actor revealed he's busy training for his role [6] as Atom Smasher "on a tarmac."
"His grandfather was a villain, he's got quite a spirit," Centineo described his character. "He goes through this transformation in the film; he's not expecting the world of a superhero."
Johnson and Centineo announced that the other Justice Society of America members making their debut alongside Atom Smasher will be Hawkman, Doctor Fate, and Cyclone.
Will Superman Be in Black Adam?
Henry Cavill's Clark Kent was rumoured to be making a cameo in the film [7], but nothing has been confirmed. During the Fandome panel, Johnson said it'd be "cool" to see the two interact [8], but made no promises. "Black Adam and Superman could become friends . . . or they won't."
Will the Shazam! Family Be in Black Adam?
Black Adam was originally meant to appear alongside the other comic-book supervillains [9] in Shazam! [10], but the studio ultimately decided to give him his own film. Since the character is originally the predecessor of Captain Marvel — aka Shazam [11] — who goes dark, we can theorize that the film will set up a huge clash between Johnson's Adam and Zachary Levi's Billy Batson [12] in a future Shazam! sequel [13].