Dwayne Johnson was connected to the character of Black Adam for fifteen years, but he only played the role in one film. Originally intended as the villain in Shazam!, Johnson instead starred in his own Black Adam movie, which was meant to launch a larger story within the DC Extended Universe. However, those plans changed, and three years after the film’s release, Johnson shared his thoughts on his brief time with the DCEU and the direction of the current DC Universe.
During a recent, in-depth conversation with The Hollywood Reporter about his upcoming 2025 film, The Smashing Machine, and his role as Maui in the Moana films, Dwayne Johnson was asked whether his experience as a wrestling villain helped him play the character of Black Adam. He responded:
I really enjoyed my time playing a villain in wrestling, and that experience helped shape the anti-hero persona The Rock eventually became. I had a fantastic time making Black Adam, creating those characters, and introducing new ones into that world. I wish the best for that universe as I move on to other projects.
Dwayne Johnson was considered for the role of Black Adam as early as the development of the original Shazam! movie. He officially signed on in October 2014. Later, in January 2017, plans changed, and Black Adam was given his own film. In this movie, Black Adam fights members of the Justice Society – Hawkman, Doctor Fate, Atom Smasher, and Cyclone. For years, Johnson also built anticipation for a showdown between Black Adam and Superman, which was hinted at in a post-credits scene in the 2022 film.
Despite high expectations, Black Adam didn’t perform well with critics or at the box office, putting a sequel in doubt. In December 2022, news emerged that Henry Cavill wouldn’t reprise his role as Superman, and James Gunn, the new co-CEO of DC Studios, confirmed that Black Adam 2 wasn’t currently being planned. The following month, Gunn and Peter Safran unveiled the first projects for the revamped DC Universe, signaling a new direction for the franchise.
Okay, so Black Adam was a bit of a bust – just one movie and done for my man Dwayne Johnson. But honestly, he seems really cool about it. He had fun making the 11th DCEU film and genuinely wants James Gunn’s DCU to thrive. And it doesn’t mean we’ve seen the last of The Rock in the DC universe! Look at Jason Momoa – he went from Aquaman to Lobo in the Supergirl movie. So why not see Dwayne take on a totally different character down the line? I’m keeping my fingers crossed!
You can watch Black Adam on HBO Max. The Smashing Machine is available to rent or buy digitally. Dwayne Johnson’s next role will be as the voice of Zeke in Zootopia 2, coming to theaters on November 26th. He’ll also appear on screen as Maui in the live-action Moana remake, scheduled for release in 2026.
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2025-11-07 02:11