Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is one of the biggest megastars in Hollywood today. From his portrayal of The Scorpion King to starring in major franchises such as Fast & Furious and Jumanji, the wrestler-turned-actor has proven that he can be a versatile performer in action, adventure, comedy, and drama. Now, the star is set to make his live-action debut in the superhero genre with the upcoming DC feature, Black Adam.
From the trailers, Black Adam doesn’t seem all that special, considering that very little is known about the plot or the movie’s actual villain. However, it will likely still succeed thanks to the presence of Dwayne Johnson. If anyone can introduce and carry a new film or potential series (especially a superhero feature), The Rock is more than capable.
Is Black Adam A Hero Or A Villain?
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One of the biggest questions surrounding this new DC movie is whether Black Adam is a savior or a destroyer (based on what Pierce Brosnan's Doctor Fate tells him in the trailers). In this version of the story, Black Adam (born as Teth-Adam) comes from Kahndaq, an ancient city in North Africa. He is imprisoned for five-thousand years due to his destructive methods of justice. He is also left in sadness and rage after the deaths of his wife and son.
So far, Black Adam appears to be an antihero. He has done bad things, but is capable of saving the world in order to gain some redemption. Johnson is no stranger when it comes to playing physically strong characters who can fight enemies for vengeance (such as the mighty Hercules and Driver from the action thriller Faster), or cold-blooded killers (like Sarge from Doom, based on the popular video game). Black Adam could potentially be a culmination of tough guy roles Dwayne has played over the years, while also delivering a superhero/villain with a complex origin story.
Black Adam Compared To Other DC Characters
While it's refreshing to see a new face in the DCEU, many comic book movie fans may be worried that Black Adam will bear too much resemblance to other DC icons like Superman, Wonder Woman, and Shazam. From the trailers, it's no secret that Black Adam is one of the most powerful DC characters ever constructed. He can fly, move at rapid speed, punch and kick his opponents with extreme force, and withstand bullets and nuclear weapons. However, Black Adam's villainous side gives him the opportunity to stand out from the crowd. The Rock can make his character a combination of good and bad.
Adam will undoubtedly be antagonistic towards others, especially when he goes up against members of the JSA (Justice Society of America) led by Doctor Fate, including Carter Hall/Hawkman (played by The Invisible Man actor Aldis Hodge). The JSA looks like the DC's version of X-Men, with a mansion, a fancy aircraft, and several unique individuals with various abilities. Adam will likely fight alongside the JSA in order to face other enemies who are gigantic and robust. For example, one trailer that reveals a glimpse of Sabbac, a red devilish figure who leads an organized crime syndicate called the Intergang. The Intergang receives weapons and technology from the planet Apokolips, which is controlled by Darkseid (the powerful villain from Zack Snyder's Justice League), meaning that Adam could potentially face more evil characters and leave off where Snyder ended.
What To Expect From Black Adam In Future DC Films
Many fans expect to see Black Adam fight Henry Cavill's Superman sometime in the future, because both characters are muscular and charismatic. Seeing The Rock and Cavill go hand-to-hand would be a dream for superhero action movie lovers. A future battle between Adam and Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman also wouldn't be out of the question. Bith characters are thousands of years old, along with being powerful, immortal, and multilingual. Johnson and Gadot have great chemistry together after starring in the heist comedy Red Notice. Their superhuman characters in the DC Universe could form some type of bond or rivalry.
Of course, spectators expect Adam to face off against his archenemy Shazam (who was recently portrayed by Zachary Levi in the successful 2019 film). Although Shazam appears to be slightly funnier, he is a perfect match-up for Adam due to their similarities in skill and power. The likable personalities of Johnson and Levi would make a crossover between their characters a colossal piece of entertainment. Adam could even become an ally for Shazam, after learning how to be less egotistical and more of a team player with other superheroes. Adam has to adapt if these qualities if he's serious about saving the world and not just selfishly destroying his enemies.
Filmmaker Jaume Collet-Serra (best known for directing The Rock in Jungle Cruise and the Liam Neeson films Non-Stop and Unknown) is an expert in creating efficient action pictures. The film also has a great cast that includes Pierce Brosnan, Aldis Hodge, and the return of Viola Davis as Amanda Waller. However, the success of Black Adam will rest on the muscular shoulders of Dwayne Johnson, who trained and fought hard for the role. Black Adam seems like a typical superhero picture, but the DCEU can use some more antiheroes and new blood in the uncertain but evolving franchise.
Black Adam is set to premiere in theaters on October 21, 2022.