“Black Adam” hits theaters next Friday and the film’s release ushers in a new era for the DCEU. And that’s not just due to Dwayne Johnson’s debut in a DC film as the titular antihero. Instead, it mainly concerns new Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, whose vision for his company and DC Films has seen the scuttling of “Batgirl” and various other DC-related projects.
In short, Zaslav wants DC Films to resemble the model of Marvel Studios more closely, including a studio chief like Kevin Feige. So, who will become the new head of DC Films? Dan Lin didn’t want the job, ultimately, so who’s next in line? Possibly Johnson himself? When Variety asked the actor that question on the red carpet of the “Black Adam” premiere in Times Square, Johnson said he’d be better off as an advisor than a studio head. “The best position that I could be for DC is one as an advisor, where I can help. I love DC. It’s in my blood,” he told the outlet. “In the spirit of growing up with the DC Universe. I’m here to help in any way I can, including looking for and finding that right leader or leaders.”
Not a big surprise that Johnson isn’t interested in the big job at DC Films, but it makes sense that he wants to help right the DCEU ship. After all, “Black Adam” is a long-gestating passion project for him, and Johnson’s been a fan of DC Comics since his childhood. “As a little boy, I grew up loving the Super Friends, specifically Superman,” Johnson continued. “I saw my first Black Adam comic, and it was arresting to me. His face was intense. He looked cool, looked different, badass, and had brown skin. So automatically, I was relating to him. I am DC through and through.”
In “Black Adam,” Johnson plays the ancient antihero who wreaks havoc after he’s released from 5000-year imprisonment. Adam’s brute sense of justice attracts the attention of The Justice Society Of America, who attempt to teach him how to be more hero than a villain as another powerful force emerges. The film also stars Aldis Hodge as Hawkman, Noah Centineo as Atom Smasher, and Sarah Shahi as Isis. Marwan Kenzari plays Sabbac, the leader of Intergang that Black Adam and the JSA must work together to bring down. Quintessa Swindell also stars as Cyclone, and Pierce Brosnan plays Doctor Fate. Expect some DC cameos, too, like Viola Davis as “Suicide Squad” leader Amanda Waller.
Waller’s presence promises some more crossover in “Black Adam” with the larger DC Films universe. But what about the potential for a DC/Marvel crossover event? Johnson sounded hopeful about that proposition. “Well, I’m always optimistic. I’d like to think that we would see that. My philosophy is anything can get done. Let’s start with the end goal. And if the end goal is to have some sort of crossover that can be compelling, smart, cool for the fans,” Johnson said. “Let’s get a temperature gauge if they’d like to see something like that. And then, if they do, then let’s create it. I operate my businesses like that. I truly believe that anything can happen. Anything can happen with the right people and place, and the right leadership, having the right conversations.”
Rights-wise that seems like an unrealistic dream, but who knows, maybe “anything can happen,” as Johnson says. Let’s see how “Black Adam” does with critics and audiences when it hits theaters on October 21 before there’s chatter about a DC-Marvel team-up, though.
