At this year's Comic-Con, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson not only wowed audiences with a new trailer for Black Adam and promises about the DCEU's future, he also got their blood pumping with brand-new collectors' edition cans of ZOA Energy. Johnson is a co-founder of the brand, as well as of Seven Bucks Productions and other successful companies such as Teremana Tequila. ZOA has achieved remarkable growth in the short time since it was founded, and the international superstar wholeheartedly believes in his product.
The Rock believes in ZOA Energy so much that he engineered a collaboration between the healthy workout beverage and his dream role of Black Adam, a partnership that launched to great enthusiasm at Comic-Con. Thanks to Johnson's passion, this marked the first time DC Entertainment ever approved a team-up with an energy drink - and if all goes well, it won't be the last.
While at San Diego Comic-Con, Screen Rant had the pleasure of speaking to Johnson about his unique collaboration, passion for the ZOA Energy brand, and plans that extend beyond the premiere of Black Adam in theaters.
Screen Rant: You're very passionate about Black Adam, and you're very passionate about ZOA. What drives that passion and this collaboration?
Dwayne Johnson: What drives my passion about Black Adam is something that's been with me for a very long time - 10 or 15 years now. What drives the passion for Black Adam is the opportunity to create a superhero and antihero that has never been seen before on the big screen; to introduce him to the world and also build out the DC Universe by introducing the JSA. That's the passion that drives Black Adam.
The passion that drives ZOA is ZOA is a brand that's very close to my heart. If you look at the can, one of the most important pieces are elements of my tattoo on the can. We also wanted to create a partnership that had never been done before. DC had never partnered with an energy drink before; this is the first time ever. It's appropriate, and Black Adam and ZOA combined is a helluva combo.
You've talked about not having muscle pads and everything in your Black Adam suit. When you're training and using ZOA, how does that fuel your workout and exercise routine?
Dwayne Johnson: ZOA is a formulation. We have two formulations: we have a core ZOA and that formulation, and we also have a ZOA+ Plus, which is our pre-workout.
The truth is, all jokes aside, ZOA is part of my daily ritual. In the morning, I drink it. It's my coffee; I'm not a coffee drinker. I also take a ZOA+ Plus as my pre-workout, and I'll have ZOA throughout the day. It does play a big part in my in my day-to-day activities: training, work, etc. And the reason I can say that with confidence is because we took a long time and a lot of effort to make sure that our formulation was up to par, up to snuff, of the highest quality. We had a lot of formulators, who are coming out of Procter and Gamble, that are very smart men and women.
In the energy drink category, this idea of innovation is often carried with the philosophy of, "Just add more caffeine." But we really wanted to be innovative with a lot of the ingredients that we add, from aminos to antioxidants to vitamins, etc. So, having ZOA is a big part of my [routine].
Do you recommend it for someone who's starting out? Someone who sees Black Adam and wants to exercise to - not get as strong as you, but close to it.
Dwayne Johnson: Yeah, if somebody is looking to look like Black Adam, or be as strong as Black Adam, then I would definitely say... ZOA ain't gonna help you. [Laughs]
They've been handing out drinks around the con, I don't know if you've noticed that. What's the response been like for you from fans and general public?
Dwayne Johnson: It's been awesome; fantastic. Every time we come here to Comic-Con, the energy is amazing. But this time in particular, the energy was amazing, because we're bringing Black Adam and the JSA out of the DC Universe. There's been a lot of anticipation; so it paid off well over at Hall H. It was amazing; it was f--king incredible over at Hall H.
They also know, when it comes to ZOA, it's a brand that's close to my heart. There's a lot of love. Everyone's getting free ZOA, enjoying it, and having a good time.
You mentioned your tattoo being part of the can design. Can you go into the meaning?
Dwayne Johnson: Absolutely. I will say this, there's elements of my tattoo. But to me, the most important thing is my signature. I always like to say that my signature is just as good as my handshake. When I shake your hand - when I shake anybody's hand - it means something to me. My signature denotes quality, and you find that signature here. You'll find it on Teremana Tequila, you'll find it on Project Rock. It's the most important part.
You've done energy drinks, you have tequila. What's next? If you don't drink coffee, how many drinks are left?
Dwayne Johnson: Fanny packs. [Laughs] You're gonna buy one? You'll have a turtleneck.
For ZOA and Black Adam, this is the beginning of a partnership. What happens after the film releases? Do you continue to collaborate?
Dwayne Johnson: That's a good question. We will continue it, because we'll still have a lot of cans left. These cans are collector's editions and collector's items, but the partnership will continue as long as we can continue to build out the DC Universe with Black Adam.
Black Adam Synopsis
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.
Catch our previous interviews with Dwayne Johnson for Jungle Cruise & Jumanji: The Next Level, as well as our other interview with the cast and producers of Black Adam at SDCC.
If you weren't at Comic-Con to grab your own, check the ZOA website to be notified when the limited edition Black Adam-branded cans will be in stock.
