The following contains spoilers for Black Adam, now playing in theaters.
One of the scariest aspects of Black Adam is how Dwayne Johnson's Teth-Adam comes off as a terrifying, apocalyptic force. Throughout the movie, he incinerates members of Intergang with his electricity and murders all enemies in a horrifying fashion. It's why the Justice Society has to intervene, acknowledging he's not a freedom fighter -- he's a threat to world safety.
It leads to a series of brutal brawls, where veterans like Hawkman and even the powerful Doctor Fate get beaten down. Thankfully, Adam does partner up with the heroes in the finale to take down the demonic Sabbac, but still, Hawkman can tell there's a weapon of mass destruction here in Kahndaq that could be a major problem moving forward. Interestingly, this sets up Black Adam for a sequel that needs to have the Justice League come in to quell his attitude about the outside world.
Black Adam 2 May Include a Vulnerable Superman
The Black Adam mid-credits scene has Henry Cavill reprising his role as Superman, asking Adam to talk. He knows Adam makes the world "nervous," which is what the Man of Steel did when he unleashed his raw strength in Zack Snyder's movies. However, Superman's more mature and diplomatic, so instead of asking for a fight, he just wants to chat. That does invite Black Adam to strike the first blow, hating how another godlike figure would lecture him rather than using his iron fist to create order.
Seeing as Adam's powers are magical, this could be a massive weakness to Kal-El, nodding to the comics. Thus, Adam could be the first human enemy that doesn't need Kryptonite to damage or nearly kill Superman. Seeing as their Clark Kent might now be rendered ineffective, this sets up the League to intervene, realizing more heavy hitters are crucial in taming an Adam that can't stand foreigners in Kahndaq.
Black Adam 2 Would Allow the Justice League to Flex Its Power
Now, Adam did show the same strengths as Superman, including super-speed, which brings forth a lot of slow-motion action sequences that fans have seen with the DC Universe's Flash and Wonder Woman. That would allow the speedster to try to take Adam down, while Diana of Themyscira can match up as a hero of a mystical nature. She'd have her sword and other weapons from Paradise Island, not to mention the Lasso of Truth, which might be able to get Adam to realize he's endangering his people by being so volatile.
It'd remix the fight from Justice League when the heroes had to stop a resurrected Clark while allowing Aquaman and Cyborg to take a run at the lightning-based antihero. Last but not least, this offers up a big test for Batman, who'd need to seek out other weapons as contingency measures. While Eternium isn't really expanded in the film, the prequel comics confirmed it's a metal mined from the Rock of Eternity, which Intergang used in weapons. It does harm Adam, so Bruce could weaponize it the way he did when he used the green rock against Superman.
Black Adam 2 Can Expand the Justice League's Roster
While there's no word if Warner Bros. is looking at a Justice League sequel, Black Adam could force in new recruits. Ryan Choi (the Atom) was in the Snyder Cut of the Justice League, so he can go from scientist to a hero in the field, suiting up because the team could use its own Ant-Man. The likes of Firestorm, Vixen, Green Arrow or even Nuclear Man can also enter the fray, nodding to the many cartoons and comics while illustrating how the League is playing ball with the government, as well as street-level vigilantes.
It presents a diverse vision where POC, women and younger heroes can expand what the DCU has lined up, teasing spinoffs and solo films. Finally, big guns can be called in, such as the Green Lanterns. Martian Manhunter also exists in the DCU, allowing Black Adam 2 to pick up on more threads Snyder left hanging.
Black Adam 2 Can Continue the Justice League's Rebrand
As violent as Black Adam is, there is also humor, riffing on the antihero's sarcasm and how he really views himself as a god with the world as his toy. Still, he has an inspirational edge, leaning into how nations, especially Middle Eastern ones, are pillaged for their resources. That would allow the virtuous League to fit right in, giving them a serious mission over how damaged societies like Kahndaq are rebuilt. But it would also leave enough wiggle room for everyone to be lighthearted in bantering with Adam.
Such an approach allows spectacle and bombastic brawls but still maintains nuance and substance, which, while it hasn't perfected it, is what Black Adam prides itself on. In the process, fans would get a rivalry that feels on equal footing. Ultimately, the DCU would get to shape a world war that's loyal to the source material, politically relevant and feels natural in terms of two unstoppable forces colliding in the interest of global security.
See how the Justice League is set up for a return in Black Adam, now playing in theaters.