The time has finally come for theBlack Adammovieto start production, at long last.Dwayne Johnsonfirst signed on to play Black Adam all the way back in 2014, whenMan of Steelhad only just been released and plans were in motion forZack Snyderto build a DC Extended Universe of films. Now, seven years later, Zack Snyder’s DC Universe isall but deadand Warner Bros. is moving forward with DC films both interconnected (The Flash) and wholly separate (The Batman). But Johnson is keen on upending convention with his DC Comics debut.
“We are approximately three weeks away from shootingBlack Adamand I can’t believe we are at the finish line with this thing,” Johnson said in a video posted to his Instagram. “And what a journey it has been. Actually I can believe it considering how hard we’ve worked over the years.”
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Black Adamwill not only introduce the origin story of the titular character – who has been both hero and villain in DC comics – but will also bring forth the Justice Society of America, a group of heroes working together that includes Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo), Hawkman (Aldis Hodge), Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell), and Doctor Fate.Jaume Collet-Serrawas hired to directBlack Adamafter Johnson and the filmmaker worked together on Disney’s upcomingJungle Cruisemovie, and while filming was originally supposed to begin in 2020, that was delayed due to COVID-19.
Originally scheduled for release in December 2021, the film is now undated as Johnson and Collet-Serra likely don’t want to be chasing a release date and instead want to make the film as good as it can be. Indeed, Johnson shared in the video a page from the script — which was written byAdam Sztykielbut now has revisions byThe MauritanianscribesRory HainesandSohrab Noshirvani– that he says encapsulates who Black Adam is.
“It gives you guys an example of who Black Adam is, and who Black Adam is to the world of the DC universe. But also, I think, who Black Adam is to the world of superhero universes period, and that is the DC Universe but that also includes the Marvel superhero universe too. I’m not saying there’s gonna be a mashup, what I am saying is it doesn’t matter to me, it doesn’t matter to Black Adam, you put ‘em all on notice – whether they’re part of the Marvel universe or the DC universe, they’re all on notice now.”
The page, which Johnson says is essentially a credo for thisBlack Adammovie, reads as follows:
Well, I’d love to wear a rainbow every day.
And tell the world that everything’s okay.
But I’ll try to carry off a little darkness on my back
‘Till things are brighter…
I’m the Man in Black.
It’ll be exciting to see how Johnson fits into Warner Bros.’ plans for upcoming films, which include sequels to DCEU movies likeAquamanandWonder Womanbut also adjustments likeJames Gunn’sThe Suicide Squadanda newSupermanmoviewritten byTa-Nehisi Coates.
