The editor of Black Adam opens up about the lack of screentime for Atom Smasher and Cyclone in the DCU film. After being in the works for nearly a decade, Dwayne Johnson's Black Adam has finally been released in theaters, serving as the only DCU (formerly known as the DCEU) project for 2022. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, Black Adam tells the story of how Teth-Adam became one of Earth's most powerful beings in existence. While Johnson's character was initially eyed to appear in Zachary Levi's Shazam! movie, the Hollywood megastar convinced the studio to let both characters have their own movies and build up to that inevitable showdown.

While Black Adam followed Johnson's titular character going after the Intergang organization and freeing Kahndaq, the DCU installment also saw the cinematic arrival of the Justice Society of America. The Golden Age team, which traditionally predates the Justice League, consisted of Aldis Hodge's Hawkman and Pierce Brosnan's Doctor Fate as two of the veteran members. But along the way, the Justice Society also brought on two younger heroes, Atom Smasher and Cyclone, played by Noah Centineo and Quintessa Swindell, respectively.

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While Black Adam was the first time the Justice Society was ever depicted on the big screen, one of the film's editors had some issues with Atom Smasher and Cyclone's presence. In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, Black Adam editor Michael L. Sale opened up about one of the project's tragedies, which according to him, was how the film underserved Cyclone and Atom Smasher. While praising the actors' performance and the great visual effects that brought their superpowers to life, he felt they got lost among all the other characters that were featured in Black Adam, stating the following:

Michael L. Sale: I think that one of the tragedies of the movie is that because there were so many characters, Smasher and Cyclone, who were new characters, were a little bit underserved. We had a little bit more stuff with them, but it was just hard to develop them that much in the movie. I think, first of all, they're both amazing. I love Cyclone. Those shots that Jaume and Bill, the visual effects supervisor, created are just beautiful. I love them. Quintessa is amazing. The character is so strong and powerful, and such a great thing to have in a movie like this. I think there's a great audience for that. I would like to see them do a lot.

The same thing with Smasher. I think Noah's an amazing kid. He's got a ton of charisma. I think the plans for Smasher are also going to be very interesting. I think if you really watch the movie and see what he's saying all the way through, there are some little Easter eggs in there too.

How Cyclone & Atom Smasher Could Shine In The DCU

Black Adam JSA Atom Smasher and Cyclone

With Black Adam's ending, both Cyclone and Atom Smasher survived the events of Kahndaq, as did Hawkman. While Black Adam may not have given the young heroes the same attention as Doctor Fate and Hawkman, there is no reason why the DCU can't continue their journeys after this film. One of the best ways to flesh out both characters as regular players in the DCU would be through a Justice Society of America spinoff project. Whether that would be its own movie or a potential show on HBO Max, there is so much story left to tell with these characters, as well as other JSA members from the comics.

Prior to Black Adam, The CW's Stargirl TV show was a platform for the Justice Society by exploring the second generation of the iconic DC team. With the unfortunate cancelation of Stargirl, the DCU should take advantage and utilize the Justice Society in future live-action projects, especially when they have fresh heroes in Cyclone and Atom Smasher that can help build out the young adult corner of the interconnected universe. While Black Adam definitely delivered on skilled actors in the roles of Atom Smasher and Cyclone while crafting stunning VFX for their super-powers, Sale has a valid point in that, compared to Hawkman and Doctor Fate, the new recruits weren't given as much of a spotlight. Hopefully, Black Adam is only the beginning for Atom Smasher and Cyclone, as DC Studios will ideally bring back both characters sooner rather than later.

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