When Dwayne Johnson finally takes to the big-screen as Black Adam in the upcoming SHAZAM! spin-off, he'll do so alongside another superhero. According to THR, Noah Centineo, star of Netflix's TO ALL THE BOYS I'VE LOVED BEFORE and PERFECT DATE, has signed on to play Atom Smasher in BLACK ADAM. The super-powered character has the ability to control his molecular structure and is able to manipulate his size and strength.
Dwayne Johnson has been attached to play Black Adam for quite some time, and it finally seemed as though production was ready to begin when the actor revealed last November that shooting was slated to get underway…well, right now. The COVID-19 pandemic certainly put an end to that, as Johnson confirmed earlier this year that shooting would be delayed. BLACK ADAM will be helmed by Jaume Collet-Serra, who directed Dwayne Johnson in Disney's upcoming JUNGLE CRUISE film, another film which has been delayed due to COVID-19. Atom Smasher isn't the only heroic character that Noah Centineo has on his slate, as he's also set to play He-Man in the new feature-film adaptation of the MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE franchise.
Dwayne Johnson shared a BLACK ADAM poster last year, which was a collaboration between Jim Lee and BossLogic, and explained why he felt so drawn to playing Black Adam. "Like most kids growing up, I dreamed about being a superhero. Having cool superpowers, fighting for what’s right and always protecting the people. It all changed for me, when I was 10yrs old and was first introduced to the greatest superhero of all time – SUPERMAN." Johnson continued:
As a kid, Superman was the hero I always wanted to be. But, a few years into my fantasy, I realized that Superman was the hero, I could never be. I was too rebellious. Too rambunctious. Too resistant to convention and authority. Despite my troubles, I was still a good kid with a good heart – I just liked to do things my way. Now, years later as a man, with the same DNA I had as a kid – my superhero dreams have come true. I’m honored to join the iconic #DCUniverse and it’s a true pleasure to become, BLACK ADAM. BLACK ADAM is blessed by magic with the powers equal to SUPERMAN, but the difference is he doesn’t toe the mark or walk the line. He’s a rebellious, one of a kind superhero, who’ll always do what’s right for the people – but he does it his way. Truth and justice – the BLACK ADAM way. This role is unlike any other I’ve ever played in my career and I’m grateful to the bone we’ll all go on this journey together.
BLACK ADAM is slated to hit theaters on December 22, 2021, and although that date is quite far off, it could still be pushed back depending on when production is able to get underway.