Black Adam star Dwayne Johnson has revealed the strategic reason why the DC Universe film is already out on Digital.
In a message shared with his fans on Twitter, the actor explained that the decision to release Black Adam early on Digital was a strategic move meant to capitalize on the upcoming holiday season. "We released Black Adam yesterday [Nov. 22]," Johnson said. "We thought it was a strategic release to go on all digital platforms as we’re still out in theaters, as we go into the thanksgiving holidays, and of course the Christmas holidays, Hanukkah holidays. So, you guys can enjoy Black Adam still in theaters and certainly enjoy the Man in Black at home." The decision is seemingly paying off as the actor also revealed that "Black Adam is the number one movie on iTunes."
Black Adam has found significant success at the box office since opening in theaters in October. After opening to $67 million, the DC film has now earned $158.4 million domestically, with a current worldwide of $368.2 million. The film has now surpassed the lifetime box office earnings of 2019's Shazam!, which boasts a worldwide total of $366.1 million. Black Adam is still playing in 3,372 theaters, with Johnson stating in the aforementioned message to his fans that he expects the film's final box office tally to stand anywhere between $375M and $400M.
What's Next for Black Adam?
Johnson has made it known that he wants to develop a Black Adam vs. Superman film that will see his powerful antihero clash with Henry Cavill's Superman. Cavill, who returned as the Man of Steel following a prolonged absence from the DCU in Black Adam's mid-credits scene, has also expressed interest in seeing the two titans fight on the big screen. However, Johnson has stated that there is still "a lot more long-term storytelling to do before that historic [DCU] showdown and more new characters to establish [before the Black Adam/Superman fight]." A Black Adam vs. Superman film will also have to be approved by new DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran, who assumed the position shortly after Johnson's Black Adam comments were made. The duo is currently busy building out a long-term plan for the DCU that will be revealed to the Warner Bros. Discovery team in the next two months. At the time of writing, it is unknown if Black Adam, Cavill's Superman and the rest of Black Adam's characters are part of those plans.
Black Adam stars Johnson as the titular antihero, who is freed from his earthly tomb 5,000 years after being bestowed with the almighty powers of the ancient gods. Ready to unleash his unique form of justice on the modern world, Black Adam's brute tactics attract the attention of the Justice Society. However, despite successfully preventing the Justice Society from stopping his rampage, Black Adam finds himself teaming up with the superheroes to stop a force more powerful than Adam himself that threatens to destroy the world.
Black Adam is currently available in theaters or on digital.
Source: Twitter