Black Adam star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has confirmed that the original plan was for Black Adam and Shazam to share an origin film. However, Johnson was adamant that the two DC character should get their own solo films before crossing paths.
On Twitter, Johnson quote-tweeted an IndieWire article stating that the actor fought to keep Black Adam out of the 2019 DC Extended Universe film Shazam!, believing it would do a "disservice" to the character. "[100 percent] true," Johnson wrote. "Original script had both [Black Adam and Shazam] establishing their origin stories in one film. I fought hard to both characters (+JSA) to have their own stand alone films for the fans to enjoy. And protect Black Adam's ruthless [and] extremely violent tone as we built out [the DCEU]."
The IndieWire article cites a recent interview Johnson gave with Vanity Fair, in which the actor recounted the development of the Black Adam film. "When the first draft of the movie came to us, it was a combination of Black Adam and Shazam: Two origin stories in one movie," Johnson said. "Now that was the goal -- so it wasn't a complete surprise. But when I read that, I just knew in my gut, 'We can't make this movie like this. We would be doing Black Adam an incredible disservice.' It would've been fine for Shazam having two origin stories converge in one movie, but not good for Black Adam."
The former WWE Champion continued, "I made a phone call. I said, 'I have to share my thoughts here. It's very unpopular...' because everybody thought, 'Hey, this script is great, let's go make this movie.' I said, 'I really think that you should make Shazam!, make that movie on its own in the tone that you want. And I think we should separate this as well.'"
Shazam and Black Adam Are Destined to Clash On-Screen
Starring Asher Angel as Billy Batson and Zachary Levi as his superhero alter ego, Shazam (originally known as Captain Marvel in the comics), Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema's Shazam! released in April 2019 as the seventh entry in the DCEU. While Shazam's arch-nemesis, Black Adam, did not appear in the film, his existence was strongly alluded to.
Johnson will make his long-awaited DCEU debut as Black Adam in the character's eponymous solo film, which is slated to release later this year on Friday, Oct. 21. In addition to the villain turned anti-hero himself, Black Adam will formally introduce the Justice Society of America (JSA) to the DCEU. Shazam! Fury of the Gods, the Levi-led sequel to 2019's Shazam!, is scheduled to follow suit two months later on Wednesday, Dec. 21.
Black Adam releases in theaters on Oct. 21, followed by Shazam! Fury of the Gods on Dec. 21.
Source: Twitter