Dwayne Johnson is set to electrify audiences as DC Comics’ newest on-screen anti-hero in Black Adam. Johnson has spent over the last 10 years in development to bring this character to life, and on October 21st, audiences will experience Black Adam in all his brutal glory.
Fans and critics alike have speculated about what this new film might mean for the DC Extended Universe, especially given how long it's taken to come out and how many crises have occurred elsewhere in the franchise. But the world stands united in their affection for The Rock's enthusiasm, and the superstar stands firm that Black Adam is here to break comic book movie barriers.
Ahead of the release of Warner Bros.’s latest tentpole, Dwayne Johnson spoke to Screen Rant about respecting Black Adam’s mythology to get the character’s debut right, making an impact on the DC Extended Universe, and re-teaming with director Jaume Collet-Serra (Jungle Cruise) as they both set out to craft the Dirty Harry of superheroes.
Dwayne Johnson on Respecting the Mythology of Black Adam
Screen Rant: I’ve been a big Black Adam fan ever since 52, and this is exactly what I wanted this film to be. Thank you so much for taking the dedication and time to make this right.
Dwayne Johnson: Man, thank you for saying that. I'm a fan too, just like you; just like a lot of people out there. And the two goals were, number one, let's respect the mythology and put our best foot forward to create and deliver this version of Black Adam. Let's tell this origin story, but excuse my language; let’s fucking go for it.
And you did.
Dwayne Johnson: F--king go for it. And then I think in the energy... I'm sorry. The intention of going for it, I think there's a mass appeal to this guy.
I know you've put over 10 years of your passion and your life into making Black Adam come to life on screen. Can you talk to me about how your director, Jaume Collet-Serra, helped you get to that place? Because this is a big departure from any role you've done before.
Dwayne Johnson: I can. Jaume [Collet-Serra] had a vision for tone, temperament, pace, and action. And also, he had a hunger that I noticed on Jungle Cruise. And he had a hunger to disrupt and elevate and grow the DC universe.
He's the one who came to me first, and he said, "Man, let’s create the Dirty Harry of superheroes because that's who Black Adam is. He doesn't give a fuck, but he gives a fuck about people whom he loves and whom he wants to protect. I loved our director, Jaume Collet-Serra. And also too, for me, what I had to do was, it was such a departure from anything I played in the past, so he helped me, too, with the character.
Like you said, the hierarchy is about to change in the DC universe. No truer words have been spoken.
Dwayne Johnson: Thank you so much. Question for you. What'd you think about the end, the credits?
Oh, man. Goosebumps. Are you kidding me?
Dwayne Johnson: Yeah. Yeah.
About Black Adam
Nearly 5,000 years after he was bestowed with the almighty powers of the Egyptian gods -- and imprisoned just as quickly -- Black Adam is freed from his earthly tomb, ready to unleash his unique form of justice on the modern world.
Check out our other Black Adam interviews here:
- Cast at SDCC
- Justice Society
- Dwayne Johnson on ZOA
- Noah Centineo & Quintessa Swindell
- Pierce Brosnan & Aldis Hodge
- Sarah Shahi & Mo Amer
Black Adam arrives in theaters on October 21.
