The hype for Black Adam has been building for a long time after Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson campaigned for the role for years. After several fan-castings and rumors, The Rock finally secured the role and has since said that “the hierarchy of the DC Universe is about to change.”
As of now, the film is at least in the DC Expanded Universe (DCEU), but Warner Brothers’ take on a superhero cinematic universe lacks direction and a cohesive storyline. As a result, Black Adam could be another disconnected installment, or it could build to a larger storyline for the DCEU, introducing a key villain for years to come.
8 The Justice Society Of America
With the characters of Dr. Fate, Hawkman, Cyclone, and Atom Smasher already confirmed in the film, Black Adam will be a theatrical debut of The Justice Society of America (JSA).
With the DCEU already having the Justice League, the JSA could be part of the reboot for the DCEU. Introducing a host of new characters and a new team that could appear in other media is a way for the film to expand beyond a simple solo film and be a part of the new-look DCEU.
7 Amanda Waller Is DC's Nick Fury
One of the genuine DCEU characters, Viola Davis’ Amanda Waller, has been one of the key characters in building the cinematic universe, appearing in several films as the woman in charge of the Suicide Squad. She is essentially the Nick Fury of the DCEU and is one of the few characters consistent during the rocky start for DC.
With Black Adam being another DCEU film focused on a villain, and Davis’ appearance as Waller already confirmed, her character’s appearance will likely serve as a connector to future films, possibly including Black Adam on future versions of the Suicide Squad.
6 A Cameo From Superman Seems Likely
Rumors of Superman’s appearance in the film have been swirling for weeks, and the recent Comic-Con panel for Black Adam did not confirm or deny anything. The Son of Krypton has already made two appearances outside of the Snyderverse, albeit both were faceless appearances. His appearance in Shazam was laughable, while the Peacemaker appearance was only slightly better.
It is still unclear who is playing the character in the future, despite most fans wanting Henry Cavill to continue in the rule. However, WB seems determined to continue using the character even if it does not have an actor lined up.
5 References To Events Of Prior Movies Could Establish The Scope Of The Film
Sometimes seen as throwaway lines, referencing the in-universe events from prior films is an excellent way to create a sense of scale and scope and is simple world-building. One of the greatest aspects of the MCU is that it feels alive, like things are going on within the universe and that everything is connected.
The DCEU has lacked connectivity since the beginning, although references to heroes like Wonder Woman and villains like Steppenwolf would go a long way in building the universe and connecting Black Adam to other stories.
4 A Post-credit Scene Leading To The Next Film
The trademark of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, at least at the beginning, was a series of self-contained solo films that used post-credit scenes and subtle references to expand the universe in a slow and methodical way. The DCEU has attempted that a handful of times, but most of the scenes have been retconned or ignored by the movies that followed them.
A post-credit scene in Black Adam, introducing a new character or showing where Black Adam is going next could tie the film to the future of the DCEU.
3 Doctor Fate Mentions Other Events And Heroes During His Debates With Black Adam
The inclusion of Doctor Fate is already an exciting addition to Black Adam, with the character appearing to reason with the protector of Kahndaq and trying to steer him to the path of a hero. At least, that is what it appears to be in the promotional trailers for the film.
With Kent Nelson serving the Lords of Order, he will likely have a greater idea of events and people outside of the film; he could mention those during his debates with Black Adam. It is not much, but it could serve as an opportunity for the DCEU to mention specific characters and events, setting what direction the universe is heading.
2 The Connection To Shazam Could Be Established
The character of Black Adam has always been tied to Captain Marvel/Shazam! The character’s first appearance was as a one-time villain in the first issue of Fawcett Comics The Marvel Family in 1945. The character was revived by DC in 1973 and continued to be the nemesis of Shazam and the Marvel family.
With Shazam: Fury of the Gods on the horizon, it is clear that Billy Batson and his family will be a focal point of the DCEU and Black Adam is likely on a collision course with the character at some point. Tying the film to Shazam would be a great way for Black Adam to fit into the plans for the DCEU.
1 The Film Could Kickstart The Reboot Of The DCEU
The direction of the DCEU is muddled at best. The start of DC’s own cinematic has been rocky since it started in 2016, and all signs point to the studio rebooting the series, though the method for the reboot is still unclear. The initial rumors indicated that The Flash would use time travel to restart the DCEU, but the recent controversy surrounding that film’s star, Ezra Miller, has led to some questions about what the final cut of the movie will look like.
Warner Brothers could kickstart a reboot with Black Adam, using the film’s star, The Rock, as a cornerstone of their new direction, taking the DCEU into new realms.