Dwayne Johnson: Black Adam Won’t Be in ‘First Chapter’ of James Gunn-Led DC Universe, but May Return

Black Adam
Warner Bros

Black Adam has been buried, but he isn’t (quite) dead.

Dwayne Johnson says that after talking with DC Studios co-chief James Gunn, Johnson’s DC anti-hero Black Adam “will not be in their first chapter of storytelling.”

But Johnson added a statement posted to social media that DC and his production company, Seven Bucks, “have agreed to continue exploring the most valuable ways Black Adam can be utilized in future DC multiverse chapters.”

In response, Gunn tweeted, “Love the Rock, and I’m always excited to see what he and Seven Bucks do next. Can’t wait to collaborate soon.”

The announcement is the latest in a flurry of headlines that have followed Gunn’s appointment to the head of DC Studios with producer Peter Safran, as the two men reshape the future of Warner Bros.’s slate of films, TV shows and games based on DC characters. Gunn and Safran have systematically untangled the DC Universe from the suite of characters that have been established over the last 10 years, starting with Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman and Henry Cavill’s Superman — two actors who have played the roles in multiple movies.

Cavill most recently appeared in “Black Adam” as the Man of Steel in a post-credits cameo, which presaged the actor’s announcement that he was “back as Superman” — a day before Gunn and Safran officially landed their jobs running DC. On Dec. 14, Cavill acknowledged that he would not, in fact, be returning as the last son of Krypton, as news broke that Gunn was writing a new Superman movie.

Johnson, by contrast, just made his DC debut with “Black Adam,” which premiered in theaters in October to disappointing box office returns, throwing prospects of a sequel into doubt within weeks of its opening. To date, the movie’s earned $391 million worldwide (against a $195 million budget, plus marketing), and studio insiders have told Variety “Black Adam” will likely lose money, an assessment Johnson has disputed on Twitter.

Johnson’s statement includes effusive praise for Gunn, noting they’ve known each other “for years” and “have aways rooted for each other to succeed.” That comes a day after Gunn addressed “disrespectful outcry” by some DC fans for his creative decisions regarding Cavill and Gadot.

“We were aware there would be a period of turbulence when we took this gig, and we knew we would sometimes have to make difficult and not-so-obvious choices, especially in the wake of the fractious nature of what came before us,” Gunn posted. “Our choices for the DCU are based upon what we believe is best for the story and best for the DC characters who have been around for nearly 85 years. Perhaps these choices are great, perhaps not, but they are made with sincere hearts and integrity, and always with the story in mind.”

Here is Johnson’s statement in full:

My passionate friends,

I wanted to give you a long-awaited Black Adam update regarding the character’s future in the new DC Universe.

James Gunn and I connected, and Black Adam will not be in their first chapter of storytelling. However, DC and Seven Bucks have agreed to continue exploring the most valuable ways Black Adam can be utilized in future DC multiverse chapters.

James and I have known each other for years and have always rooted for each other to succeed. It’s no different now, and I will always root for DC (and Marvel) to win and WIN BIG.

You guys know me, and I have very thick skin – and you can always count on me to be direct with my words.

These decisions made by James and DC leadership represent their vision of DCU through their creative lens.

After 15 years of relentless hard work to finally make Black Adam, I’m very proud of the film we delivered for fans worldwide. I will always look back on the fan reaction to Black Adam with tremendous gratitude, humility and love.

We did great.

To my very passionate and vocal Black Adam/Super Hero genre fans – I love you, THANK YOU, and I will ALWAYS LISTEN TO YOU and do my best to deliver and entertain you.

What a helluva month – now we all need some Teremana!

Have a productive week and HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you and your families!

DJ

From Variety US