Looks like James Bond is about to trade the cufflinks for a snazzy cape. Former Bond actor and eternal Irish hunk Pierce Brosnan has just signed on to play the mystical superhero Doctor Fate in the upcoming Dwayne Johnson-led film Black Adam.
Brosnan is the latest and possibly last big casting announcement for Black Adam, rounding out a solid list of characters from DC Comics' Justice Society of America. Others, including Aldis Hodge as Hawkman, had already perked up the ears of many fans curious about the movie. But with Brosnan, the film has now partnered with arguably its most high profile star aside from Johnson. Looks like the JSA's big screen debut is going to feature some real hard hitters.
While details about the movie's plot are still under wraps, the increasingly impressive roster of heroes has apparently hit its apex with Brosnan's Doctor Fate. In the comics, the hero's abilities include various magical powers and even the capability to travel between alternate dimensions, making him a substantial member of the Society. While the presence of this particular character isn't necessarily a surprise, given the recent announcements of other Justice Society of America heroes, the actual casting choice is very much an unexpected surprise for many who have been following Black Adam news. After the only latest news about the film centered on a peek at the cover of the Black Adam script, this is probably a breath of fresh air.
Considering how DC seems to be reimagining many of its older characters lately, with projects like Shazam! and the CW's Stargirl, it makes sense that there would be a proper film surrounding the Justice Society of America. As a precursor to the Justice League, the legendary team featured many classic DC heroes, including Cyclone (who will be played in Black Adam by Quintessa Swindell) as well as those already mentioned. Meanwhile, the character of Black Adam himself originated as a supervillain, but more recent depictions began refocusing him as an antihero, which appears to be the plan with the upcoming film.
While Brosnan certainly hasn't slowed down as an actor in recent years, his presence in more high profile properties has been a bit more subdued as of late. As the "first" James Bond for legions of 90s kids, his casting announcement is sure to catch the attention of many who were already interested in Black Adam. Meanwhile, maybe those who aren't James Bond fans but are more interested in his other roles like Mama Mia might just find something new.
Hopefully things go smoothly from here on out, seeing as Black Adam currently has an unspecified release date due to pandemic-related delays. But hey, maybe it will give them more time to plan a crossover with Shazam!
Source: The Hollywood Reporter