Tony-nominated actor James Cusati-Moyer has been cast in DCEU’s Black Adam. The Dwayne Johnson-led blockbuster will begin filming later this month and premieres in theatres next summer.
Last year, Cusati-Moyer received a Tony nomination for his role as Dustin in Jeremy O. Harris’ Slave Play. The acclaimed play shut down last spring due to the pandemic. Black Adam is scheduled to begin production next week and it will be the 31-year-old actor's biggest project to date. Cusati-Moyer previously appeared in Blue Bloods, The Path, and Prodigal Son. He also recently wrapped filming the Shonda Rhimes Netflix mini-series Inventing Anna.
While Deadline reports that Cusati-Moyer's Black Adam role has been kept under wraps, the Broadway star took to Instagram to confirm the casting news. He stated that he is “thrilled” to join the all-star cast and be a part of the DC Extended Universe. The highly anticipated film is being directed by Jaume Collet-Serra (Orphan, Unknown) and stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in the title role, Noah Centineo as Atom Smasher, Aldis Hodge as Hawkman, and Quintessa Swindell, as Cyclone. Last month, former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan signed on to play iconic DC hero Dr. Fate/Kent Nelson.
Black Adam was created by Otto Binder and C.C. Beck and first appeared in 1945's The Marvel Family #1. The ancient Egyptian anti-hero was one of the main archenemies of Captain Marvel and Shazam. In the comics, Black Adam has superhuman strength as well as the ability to control and emit magical lightning and thunder. Meanwhile, Doctor Fate is a powerful sorcerer who can heal, fly, teleport, and cast spells. He first appeared in 1940's More Fun Comics #55 and is regarded as one of the most powerful DC characters.
The Rock signed on to play the anti-hero almost a decade ago. The character was originally slated to be featured in 2019’s Shazam!, but DC Films decided to give Black Adam his own franchise. While details on the film have yet to be released, The Rock gave DC fans a sneak peek at the script on social media.
DC has several films and HBO Max shows in the works. This summer, James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad will be available on the streaming platform and in theatres. Further down the line, The Batman, The Flash, Aquaman 2, and The Suicide Squad spin-off series Peacemaker will also premiere. Meanwhile, Shazam! Fury of Gods will reportedly start filming this May and will drop in 2023.
Black Adam is scheduled to be released in theatres on July 29, 2022.
Source: Deadline