The many lives of Hawkman aren't going anywhere for his live-action movie debut in the upcoming DC Extended Universe blockbuster Black Adam.
The actor beneath the golden wings, Aldis Hodge, gave some insight into the film's take on Hawkman. As reported by Total Film, Hodge said, "Carter Hall, back in the day, in one of his original forms as Prince Khufu, he found this alien metal called Nth metal. He realized that he could do many things -- glorious things -- with this metal. This metal gave him the power of flight. It gave him regenerative powers -- fast healing." Hodge continued by explaining that this same metal was used to craft the golden wings, helmet, mace and shield that he carries. This description matches the first footage of Hawkman's onscreen appearance, which was shared in June via Black Adam's first trailer.
Though Carter Hall will hang onto his many lives, Black Adam director Jaume Collet-Serra has said that the Hawkman's comic book origin story may be "too confusing" to incorporate fully into the film. He brought up the following in an interview with Vanity Fair, "In the comics, there are clear references of like, 'Hey, I saw you 5,000 years ago. You remember me?' We're not doing that." He continued, "Obviously, Hawkman reincarnates, so how many times do you need to reincarnate and still remember?" Despite his pared-back origin, Hall will still be a prominent player in the film as the Justice Society of America's leader.
DC's current iteration of Hawkman starts out as Prince Khufu in Ancient Egypt. He and his bride, Chay-Ara, encounter an otherworldly metal later known as Nth metal, which bestows superheroic abilities upon him such as the power of flight. Upon his eventual death, he is instead reincarnated. A cycle of birth and rebirth continues for the character fans will see in the film, the archeologist Carter Hall.
Hawkman and the rest of the JSA will have to make room for the film's antihero protagonist, Black Adam (Dwayne Johnson). Other members of the JSA currently include Doctor Fate (Pierce Brosnan), Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo) and Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell). Together, they are responsible for guiding Black Adam towards using his immense power for the greater good rather than selfish ambitions.
Black Adam will strike theaters on Oct. 21.
Source: Total Film