After being attached to the role for almost a decade, actor Dwayne Johnson announced in October that the DC film BLACK ADAM would finally roll cameras in July 2020. Just last week the former WWE superstar also confirmed the film's release date – December 22, 2021. Details surrounding the plot of the Jaume Collet-Serra directed film are scarcer than a People's Elbow these days, however Johnson did drop some tidbits regarding the film while doing press for JUMANJI: THE NEXT LEVEL. Regarding the possibility of Black Adam duking it out with Zachary Levi's Shazam, Johnson had this to say:
Without giving too much away, it’s not in the plans right now. I think the approach that we’re taking I feel really good about, and all of the filmmakers do too as well. It’s an origin story and that’s where we start it and we root it, and then we build out from there. Now, not to say Shazam isn’t on my radar. Of course Shazam is, but so is all of DC.
Although fans will have to wait a bit for a steel cage match between Shazam and Black Adam, one thing they won't have to wait for is the Justice Society of America. As Dwayne Johnson stated, BLACK ADAM will be an origin story, however the anti-hero has often been a staple of the Justice Society of America comicbook series. When asked if JSA would feature in the upcoming film, Johnson's answer was short but definitive, "JSA. We will introduce you to that, the world to JSA."
For those of you not in the know, the Justice Society of America was a superhero team that first appeared in the Golden Age of comics in the 1940s. The original team consisted of Doctor Fate, Hour-Man, Spectre, Sandman, Atom, Flash, Green Lantern, and Hawkman. While I don't believe the JSA will play a huge role in the film, I wouldn't put it past DC to set it up for a JSA spinoff. I'm disappointed that we won't see Shazam face off against Black Adam in Johnson's upcoming movie, however the prospect of seeing the JSA is exciting.
Before Johnson takes flight as Black Adam, he's got JUMANJI: THE NEXT LEVEL releasing December 13 and the Disney film JUNGLE CRUISE navigating its way into theaters July 24, 2020.
What say you guys? Are you excited at the prospect of seeing the JSA in Black Adam? Are you disappointed Black Adam won't battle Shazam initially? Sound off in the comments below!