Dwayne Johnson promises his take on Black Adam in Warner Bros.' Shazam will be as nuanced and complex as the character's many comic book appearances over the years.

Can't wait to play BLACK ADAM. We'll find that anti-hero balance of ruthless rip your throat out w/ wonderful charm.. #ROCKTALK @Dosteguin

— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) December 12, 2014

Although his origins have changed over the years, Black Adam is usually portrayed as a vengeful man from ancient times who received powers similar to Captain Marvel's, but uses them for his own gain.

Johnson had been rumored for years as playing either Adam or Captain Marvel in a Shazam movie, but the official announcement came in September. The film is being written by Jack the Giant Slayer scribe Darren Lemke and, while a director hasn't been announced, rumor has it that James Wan might jump into the role.

Created by Otto Binder and C.C. Beck in 1945 as a foe for Fawcett Comics' Captain Marvel, Black Adam moved to DC Comics in the 1970s when the publisher licensed and later purchased the rights to the Fawcett characters. During Geoff Johns' run on JSA, Black Adam even joined the team for a while before forming his own group and eventually taking over Kahndaq, the country he once ruled in ancient times.

Shazam is scheduled to strike theaters on April 5, 2019.