Dwayne Johnson has been attached to the role of Black Adam for the longest time now, even predating the beginnings of the DCEU. Initially, we expected him to make his debut in Shazam!, but that ultimately featured Mark Strong’s Dr. Sivana as the first nemesis for Zachary Levi’s Billy Batson. With the recent news that Jungle Cruise‘s Jaume Collett-Serra is signing up to direct, though, it sounds like the Black Adam solo movie is finally getting somewhere.
Shortly following that announcement, Johnson was given the Generation Award at the MTV Movie & TV Awards and MTV’s Josh Horowitz couldn’t resist asking him about Black Adam on the red carpet. Though he wouldn’t say much, the star gave a brief tease of the might of the ruler of Kahndaq:
“Black Adam has the same powers as Superman. Think about that. That’s why it’s so cool and exciting.”
No doubt DC fans may have some strong feelings on Johnson’s description of Black Adam possessing exactly the same powers as Supes. In fact, Teth-Adam’s abilities are more like a dark mirror to Shazam’s own. However, they’re both two of the most physically powerful beings in the DC universe, so Johnson’s point that Adam’s high power levels are what makes him so “cool and exciting” stands.
Plus, the actor has a bit of an obsession with battling Superman. He’s been airing his wish to lay into the Man of Steel since 2016, with Henry Cavill and himself even meeting up to talk about the possibility at one stage. With Cavill’s DC future hazy at the moment, however, we’re not sure Johnson will get to achieve his dream. But at least rumors point to him facing his classic comic book foe in Shazam! 3.Â
