More than a year after the initial Black Adam teaser trailer, audiences got their first look at The Rock as the titular Black Adam. In a trailer for the DC FanDome, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson appeared, telling fans that the DC Universe was “about to change.” It seems like his promise came true.
The surprising success of ‘Shazam!’
In early 2019, the DCEU found itself in a bit of an identity crisis (pun intended for comic fans). They expected Batman V Superman and Justice League to prove financial and critical darlings. However, they failed to live up to many fans’ expectations.
If Batman and Superman could not draw audiences, the biggest superhero names in the game, did the DCEU have any hope?
It turns out that it did, but tucked in the most unlikely places.
While not everyone knows the hero, everyone knows the call of “Shazam!” Arguably, Billy Batson’s shout became more well-known than the character, but the movie helped change that.
Surprising audiences with a surprisingly fresh take on the superhero genre, fans of the comics had a few questions. The first question revolved around why Dr. Sivana served as the antagonist when the role seemed tailor-made for the hero’s main villain, Black Adam?
With The Rock playing Black Adam in his own movie, Shazam! 2 likely seeks to have a mini Avengers-style crossover, tying together multiple movies in a climactic clash.
Who is The Rock’s Black Adam in the comics?
While The Rock’s Black Adam serves as a villain to the modern-day Shazam, his story started long ago.
Like, in Ancient Egypt.
The wizard Shazam chose Prince Teth-Adam as his champion. However, a plot by the villainous Blaze instead imbued him with the power of Egyptian gods Shu, Heru, Amon, Zehuti, Aton, and Mehen.
And she continued to pull strings behind the scenes. While the prince fought as a hero for many years, a usurper destroyed his home and family. He continued serving in his usurper’s court, but when he found a chance at revenge, he took it.
The teaser trailer alluded to his actions; he “did what needed to be done.”
The wizard Shazam suspected Blaze of corrupting him and ultimately seemed Black Adam away for millennia. When he reawakened, the wizard had chosen a new champion in Billy Batson.
Will The Rock’s Black Adam battle Zachary Levi’s Shazam?
As mentioned before, Black Adam most often plays the role of a villain, especially to the champion Shazam.
However, in a Black Adam solo movie with The Rock, the character might play a brutal anti-hero, much like the Venom movies.
In a more heroic role, though, how might he interact with Zachary Levi’s Shazam?
DC undoubtedly wants to set the two characters on a collision course. It might not earn a title like Batman V Superman, but if The Rock’s Black Adam proves as successful as Shazam!, then it might turn out more successful.
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