The following article contains spoilers for Black Adam.They may be eternally bound by the comic books as sworn enemies, but it seems Black Adam and Shazam share a similar kind of animosity in the newly branded DC Universe, which might explain the latter’s absence in Dwayne Johnson's superhero debut.
In the newly released movie, while the source of Black Adam's powers gets a thorough explainer, there is no mention of Shazam's existence, despite Teth Adam's mere usage of the word being the main plan the Justice Society of America deploys to bring him back to his powerless slumber. With Shazam! Fury of the Gods coming out next year, it’s long been speculated that either character could have made an appearance in the other’s movie, though some new insight suggests otherwise.
According to a report from The Wrap, although Johnson has plenty of respect for the script that was put together to bring Shazam to life in 2019, the actor has always wanted to keep Black Adam as a separate entity from his rival. The report notes that Peter Safran being appointed to the highest positions at DC Studios, alongside James Gunn, combined with “Dwayne Johnson's thinly veiled disdain for Shazam means he probably isn't loving the idea that his boss is now the guy that produces 'Shazam.' [both movies.]” This suggests that the executive might have to be more convincing in the future if he wants a Black Adam and Shazam crossover.
It’s believed that when Johnson signed his contract to play Black Adam in the DCEU, the deal included him appearing in Shazam! If that was the case, the plan was changed subsequently, with Black Adam barely being referenced in the movie, save for a relatively obscure deleted scene. To be clear, it’s not that Johnson has any ill feelings towards Safran, Zachary Levi, or Shazam, but the actor just appears to believe those films do not fit his Black Adam.
On the surface, Johnson's stance seems reasonable, especially considering Shazam! received much praise for how the superhero turns Billy Batson’s story into more of an action-comedy, rather than the pure high-octane action film that is Black Adam. Having Johnson show up for the first time in someone else’s debut would have robbed the character of the possibility to draw his own path initially, since first impressions are everything.
Clearly, Johnson has very different thoughts when it comes to Superman, as Black Adam's mid-credits scene welcomed back Henry Cavill, partly thanks to Johnson's persuasion tactics.
Black Adam is currently available in theaters.
Source: The Wrap