Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is Black Adam in upcoming Shazam movie

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September 3, 2014

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has been teasing a Warner Bros./DC Comics project for almost a year now. Since then he's been rumored to be Green Lantern in the upcoming Justice League movie, to a villain in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Today, The Rock finally announced that he'll be playing Black Adam in an upcoming Shazam movie.

"Kneel at his feet or get crushed by his boot." My honor to become.. #BlackAdam #TheAntiHero #DCComics pic.twitter.com/Qk55eNf3R7
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) September 3, 2014

Variety reports that Darren Lemke will write the script, and no production date has been set yet. In the recent comics, Black Adam is more of an anti-hero trying to clear his name than a villain.

What do you think of The Rock as Black Adam? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

SOURCE: Variety

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324 comments

Diego!
September 3, 2014
Guys antihero doesn't mean 100% full bad boy. Antiheroes are (i.e.) Catwoman, Black Adam, Red Hood,and I can't find one in Marvel Comics, so please help me out with that!
1. Knight-Errant
  September 3, 2014
  Batman has been on that list several times.
  Marvel characters that jump to mind:
  Punisher, Black Cat, Wolverine, Winter Soldier, Venom, Cable, & Magneto.
  1. Diego!
    September 3, 2014
    Thank you! Punisher! :D Isn't Venom a bad guy only?
    1. Knight-Errant
      September 3, 2014
      Not really. Brock & the Symbiote only had it in for Parker. Brock for revealing a BS story. The Symbiote for rejecting it. Any confrontations with other heroes involved them assisting Parker or trying to stop Venom.
      When he thought Parker blew up, he essentially exiled himself to live in peace.
      1. Diego!
        September 3, 2014
        Cool! Thanks for the update! :D I wasn't aware of it. Thanks a lot!
  2. Piotr Rudnicki
    September 3, 2014
    Hell, even Daredevil counts, he kills people :)
  3. Amazing_Hedgehog
    September 3, 2014
    Batman is not an Anti-Hero
    1. Knight-Errant
      September 3, 2014
      Depends on you you talk to. Some would say doing stuff such as hire a known criminal & mercenary to steal something for you is seen as being...un-heroic.
      Batman crossing lines (aside from killing) to achieve his goals could easily be seen as...un-heroic.
      And as I stated, he's been on that list several times.
      1. Amazing_Hedgehog
        September 4, 2014
        That list is wrong then.
      2. Knight-Errant
        September 4, 2014
        Depends on your outlook. Dirty Harry is considered anti-hero cop. Actually, he's considered one of the original anti-hero cops. His methods were highly frowned upon by his superiors & coworkers. He did want was needed to get the job done, which often included not following proper procedure & beating scumbags senseless.
        Aside from killing (which he originally did), what part of that does Batman NOT do?
        Not liking something doesn't make it wrong.
      3. Amazing_Hedgehog
        September 6, 2014
        He has more super-hero qualities than anti-hero qualities. That makes him a Super Hero, not an Anti-Hero...because I am pretty sure you can't be both.
      4. Knight-Errant
        September 6, 2014
        Well, he's got more hero qualities...not there's nothing "super" about him. I've always hated when Batman's been called "a superhero."
        Regardless, what qualities are you referring to that keep him off the 'anti-hero' list?
      5. Amazing_Hedgehog
        September 6, 2014
        • Doesn't Kill
        • Fights Crime
        • Teams Up With Other Heroes
        • Has A Sidekick
        • Has A Family Of Crimefighters
        • Fights To Protect His City
        More popular Anti-Heroes such as Deathstroke or Black Adam do not share these qualities while Superheroes such as Supes and WW do.
      6. Knight-Errant
        September 6, 2014
        Dirty Harry kills, other then that, he's basically has the exact same characteristics.
        Same for the Punisher.
        Not saying you have to agree, but Batman can easily be put onto that list.
      7. Amazing_Hedgehog
        September 6, 2014
        That's the line between Hero and Anti-Hero, most if not all Anti-Heroes kill, and Super Heroes don't. If Batman was willing to kill then yes, he would be a good example of an Anti-Hero, but he is not willing to kill...and that point is stressed a lot in comics.
      8. Knight-Errant
        September 6, 2014
        Didn't he use a gun on Darkseid in Final Crisis? What about when he originally was created? Were those just for show?
      9. Amazing_Hedgehog
        September 6, 2014
        I didn't say, he never used guns...I said he doesn't kill.
      10. Knight-Errant
        September 6, 2014
        He has killed though. Detective Comics #27 he dropped a guy off a roof & didn't think twice.
        I didn't say Batman was always on that list, but he can easily be seen as an anti-hero. Its one of the reasons there's friction between Batman & Kent about methods.
2. El Murcielago
  September 3, 2014
  Deadpool?
3. Chris Terrio
  September 3, 2014
  More DC Deadshot, Lobo and thousands others.
MIGN
September 3, 2014
Great casting! Now I'm curious to see who they choose to play Shazam...
Guest
September 3, 2014
Hmmmm I don't know... Brandon Molale looks exactly the same to Shazam. Check it out --->
1. Jcool
  September 3, 2014
  They are not going to cast a guy who is know for playing security guards or "toughman #1" roles
  1. Diego!
    September 3, 2014
    Well, but he does look the part! Besides, they hired a relatively unknown model/actress such is Gal Gadot for Wonder Woman ;)
    1. Jcool
      September 3, 2014
      Except she played an actual character in The Fast and Furious series. She wasn't known for tough gal #1 roles.
  2. Harish
    September 3, 2014
    Man he's an A lister and also one of the highest paid, do you think studios will hire him if he doesn't know how to act in a good way
    1. Harish
      September 4, 2014
      oh, my bad, but yeah for Shazam ... they need to find an actor, let's see who has the skills to portray a 14 year old kid's psychology and mindset in a completely Greek god type body
2. Chris Terrio
  September 3, 2014
  Dude he's way too fucking old. By the time the sequels come around he'll be old enough to play The Wizzard
Your_Mama1
September 3, 2014
YES! YES! YES! GOD, I JIZZED MY PANTS!
Flying Graysons Fan
September 3, 2014
Wait, did DC/Warner Bros just make a casting decision that everyone liked? Never thought I'd see the day.
Kelvin Murray
September 3, 2014
doesn't mean it will produce a decent film at the end of the day, even though i'm a fan of Dwayne this seems like an inevitable flop for a myriad of reasons.the most crucial being this entire alleged dccu is on shaky ground and like anything else on a shaky foundation, well you know the outcome lol
1. Knight-Errant
  September 3, 2014
  Assessment based on ONE movie that's been released. ONE point isn't a pattern. Two points is a straight line. Give it until at least movie 3 in the DCCU before you can deem the ground shaky.
  1. Kelvin Murray
    September 3, 2014
    Delusionally optimistic as always.
    1. Harish
      September 3, 2014
      And what are, you are just basing your entire thoughts on just one movie, btw that was a commercial success with also decent critical success, but before you say something just remember that guardians of galaxy as everyone thought was the most riskiest and flop prone movie but you know how it turned out right. One cannot simply predict things in this genre. So my advice wait for actual stuff rather than a hear say and then bring in your biased opinions
    2. Knight-Errant
      September 3, 2014
      Only its "being openminded" to see what happens. NOT premature judgments based on...nothing really. Other then your preexisting biased for every comic book movie we've discuss here, you've got no foundation to say it'll be horrible anymore then those who claim it'll be amazing.
    3. Unique Jenique
      September 3, 2014
      Delusionally pessimistic as always.
    4. Chris Terrio
      September 3, 2014
      You're really retarded. I can't deal with people like you.
      1. Chris Terrio
        September 3, 2014
        You annoy the fuck out of people and you have no arguments. All you say is sheep, terrorist, laughable arugments delusional and putting ass and shit in front of words
2. Unique Jenique
  September 3, 2014
  Wow. no director announced. No production date announced. Already assuming the movie will flop. GTFO.
  1. Captain DC
    September 3, 2014
    Well. You know what they say about the internet's reaction to, DC comic book movies.
3. Captain DC
  September 3, 2014
  OMG!
4. You never learn, do you?
  September 4, 2014
  ..
Kelvin Murray
September 3, 2014
all i hear is ''Baaaaaa''Baaaaaa''
1. Knight-Errant
  September 3, 2014
  Interestingly enough, everytime you hear "baaaa, baaaaa", I hear "the sky is falling. The sky is falling!"
  1. Chris Terrio
    September 5, 2014
    All I hear is bullshit coming from Kelvin Murray
2. Guest
  September 3, 2014
  Really? Because all I hear is...
3. Unique Jenique
  September 3, 2014
  In one ear and out the next all I keep on hearing is, "Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah."
4. Flying Graysons Fan
  September 3, 2014
  Really? Because all I'm hearing is...
AScaryGhost
September 3, 2014
If Man of Steel proved anything, its that if WB wants to get the Justice League going, they need good writers. They already have an Oscar winning writer writing their next movie. I don't really trust the guy they've hired, judging by his other works.
1. Kelvin Murray
  September 3, 2014
  Finally a Man who is using critical thinking.Applaud this Man, The sheep on this page could learn something from you sir.
  1. Justin
    September 3, 2014
    Dude you've been talking shit on .batman v superman this entire time. Makes 0 sense considering this guy is sharing our exact concerns
  2. ej123
    September 3, 2014
    Stop calling people sheep, it makes you look stupid.
2. Jcool
  September 3, 2014
  He has always been a co-writer. Lets see what he does when he is the only one writing it.
Eric Boles
September 3, 2014
In recent comics he dies the same way that he always dies. I hate the anti hero idea.
AScaryGhost
September 3, 2014
I think they'll save Brainiac for a later Justice League movie. He's far too big of a villain to throw into the first. My guess is he'll be in the second movie and then they'll pull out Darkseid at some point.
1. Chris Terrio
  September 3, 2014
  Darkseid is too big and it's inevitable lead to New 52 shit. You have Darkseid and forget about sequels.
  1. Amazing_Hedgehog
    September 3, 2014
    New 52 shit?
    1. Chris Terrio
      September 5, 2014
      I find the New 52 (not all of it but about 70% of it I hate) stupid
Guest
September 3, 2014
Yes!! I'm so glad he's playing Black Adam, it's gonna be great to see him play a villain role. He definitely has the charisma for it. Dat writer tho. Now the next question is......who's Shazam?
Mr. Wayne
September 3, 2014
DAMMIT!!!!!
Unique Jenique
September 3, 2014
62% on RT right now. Critics liked it. There were a lot of films that didn't do well this Summer. But I am trying to be optimistic.
1. Unique Jenique
  September 3, 2014
  You have to also keep in mind there was another Hercules movie that came out this year that was just awful, awful, awful. Might have scared people away. His other films tend to do pretty good...
  1. Wonder Mia
    September 3, 2014
    I really enjoy the Rock on Pain and Gain. I know it isn't a movie from this year but it shows how good he become on acting.
  2. TheLegend
    September 3, 2014
    Yea, I know a lot of people that didn't want to watch Hercules after the first one came out.
2. kraptonite
  September 3, 2014
  62% is okay. It's a positive score. I'm actually impressed it has that much.
3. Piotr Rudnicki
  September 3, 2014
  MOST of the people here believe that MoS was a good movie and it has 56% on RT. So that's why people shouldn't trust RT :)
lethargicj
September 3, 2014
I just don't see The Rock being able to pull off a villain role at all. I REALLY don't see him as having the chops to pull off one as multi-faceted as Black Adam. And with the choice of writer, it definitely seems this is going back in the kiddie comedy direction.
1. Unique Jenique
  September 3, 2014
  I think it'll be fine. This will be a good opportunity to see how diverse he is as an actor - playing a villian when he hasn't before.
2. Frank
  September 3, 2014
  Have you seen Faster? That's my favorite role of his.
  1. Frank
    September 3, 2014
    He's such a bada** in there. It shocked the hell out of me seeing him taking on such an intense role but he did such an amazing job with it.
3. yonnino
  September 4, 2014
  The closest I remember seeing him in that type, or kind of that type, of a role.... is in Faster, http://www.imdb.com/title/t...
  1. yonnino
    September 4, 2014
    http://hdwallpappers.com/im...
Bats2012
September 3, 2014
Is it racist? They do know Black Adam isn't literally Black right? Is it just because he's muscular? He doesn't seem to have the look in any other way.
1. Unique Jenique
  September 3, 2014
  He is partly. His father is Black Nova Scotian. His mother is Samoan.
  1. Unique Jenique
    September 3, 2014
    Agreed.
    1. Bats2012
      September 3, 2014
      The "racist" comment was a joke. I'm a fan of the rock in the same way I am a fan of Arnold Schwarzenegger. Let's just say I'm glad WB let Nolan have his day before they went 100% Schumacher again.
2. Guest
  September 3, 2014
  Black Adam isn't black.
  1. Axxell
    September 4, 2014
    The correct nomenclature is African Ascendace Adam...
3. Captain DC
  September 3, 2014
  Teth-Adam (Black Adam) is Egyptian, JUST like.......wait for it..........The Scorpion King. So yes, The Rock does indeed "look" the part. LOL
  1. Bats2012
    September 3, 2014
    I could see it more here, not familiar with this artists take on Black Adam. The more common style of drawing him makes him look more European.
4. Bats2012
  September 3, 2014
  Hence why I said what I said.
5. Chris Terrio
  September 5, 2014
  How is changing the race of people racist? Here's casting choices not considered "racist." (I'm considering rumors) Gal Gadot, plays WW, Laurence Fishburne plays Perry White, Tao Okamtoa plays Mercy Graves, Henry Cavill as Superman Colon Samon as Walter Steele and every actor to play the leader of the League of Shadows not being Arabic
  1. Bats2012
    September 5, 2014
    He doesn't get it.
Memorian
September 3, 2014
Yes!! I'm so glad he's playing Black Adam, it's gonna be great to see him play a villain role. He definitely has the charisma for it. Dat writer tho. Now the next question is......who's Shazam?
Give Me A Hell Yeah
September 3, 2014
Stone Cold Steve Austin for Shazam!
BAT OF STEEL
September 3, 2014
I had a feeling that he wasn't going to turn down the Black Adam role, it realistically fits him perfectly ( I can hear Dwayne say those bone chilling words "I HAVE RETURN").
Unique Jenique
September 3, 2014
Honestly, I'd rather have Goyer write this script...
Unique Jenique
September 3, 2014
JUST LOOK AT HIM. PERFECT!
King T'Challa
September 3, 2014
SHAZAM!
http://i.imgur.com/5vnntL0.jpg
BAT OF STEEL
September 3, 2014
Too many people commenting on this page, sites about to crash!!!
Diego!
September 3, 2014
Yes or no? I say yes! --->
Captain DC
September 3, 2014
I want more OFFICIAL DCCU casting announcements!
1. Unique Jenique
  September 3, 2014
  Specifically:
  The Flash
  Green Lantern
  Martian Manhunter
  1. Wonder Mia
    September 3, 2014
    There's a rumor that says Benedict Cumberbatch could be playing the role of Martian Manhunter. I really hope so, he's an A class actor.
    1. Model
      September 3, 2014
      Hmmmm......I heard either mm or brainiac.....I guess someone asked if he was playing a villain in the dccu and he didn't denied it at all.....strange.
      1. Wonder Mia
        September 3, 2014
        I prefer him portraying some of the good guys.
        Also...possible Flash and Green Lantern?? Names?
      2. Model
        September 3, 2014
        We'll,Benedict does pretty good as a villain....lol and he's Sauron and smaug in the hobbit trilogy and played Kahn in Star Trek and I could see him for brainiac and multi-layered villain or heck maybe darkseid.
      3. lethargicj
        September 3, 2014
        I'd rather he play a hero because heroes come back and villains are normally one and done.
      4. Model
        September 3, 2014
        We'll,if dc wanted to they could have recurring villains if they so choose but, heck for all we know there could a few hidden baddies in BVS that set up the first jl film and I notice like what disney's doing is seeing this a more recurring saga of films which is cool with me.
      5. Chris Terrio
        September 5, 2014
        You really think Lex Luthor will be in only one movie? Haha
      6. Wonder Mia
        September 3, 2014
        Yeah but he also is great on Sherlock, doing an incredibly awkward but lovable performance...I would love to see him acting that way. If not, he can ALWAYS be a badass villain
      7. Chris Terrio
        September 5, 2014
        Fuck no to The Flash, Green Lantern and The Joker
    2. TheLegend
      September 3, 2014
      That's not a rumor. MoviePilot was fancasting JL members. Another site saw that and put it out as a rumor.
      MM won't be part of this universe, Cyborg pretty much took his spot. New 52 lineup doesn't have MM in it.
    3. Chris Terrio
      September 5, 2014
      That's probably fake but I can dig it
  2. OmegaCorleone
    September 3, 2014
    I thought Goyer once pretty much dismissed Martian for even appearing in a future DC film…
    I'm looking forward the most to either a Flash or Green Lantern casting announcement, and announcements for the coming DC films!
Diego!
September 3, 2014
I hope the image appears this time... Let's see...
Frank
September 3, 2014
I'm glad he'll play Teth-Adam/Black Adam. He's going to kick some a**.
Mike Weaver
September 3, 2014
I take it that with New Line filming this movie that Shazam will be in his own separate universe? Makes sense since there is no magic in the current Man of Steel universe (I take it Wonder Woman's powers will not be magical)
I must also say that Darren Lemke (who wrote Jack the Giant Slayer, Turbo and Shrek Forever) being tabbed to write the movie is not filling me with a lot of confidence
1. lethargicj
  September 3, 2014
  New Line merged with WB years ago. New Line is WB. WB is New Line.
  But I do think they're going to be separate. It said so in the initial announcement months ago. Plus hiring a writer of kids movies sure makes it sound like this is going to be a light hearted type flick that wouldn't fit with the DCCU.
  1. Mike Weaver
    September 3, 2014
    If it's a kids type movie that would be a waste of Black Adam (who I was personally hoping was getting his own film without Shazam). Black Adam is a complicated and scarred character that (in one version) was a good guy until his beloved wife was killed. I hope they don't do a toothfairy style movie
    1. Frank
      September 3, 2014
      I doubt it will be a kid's movie. Especially if Warner Bros. isn't considering on making "joke movies." It may be light hearted with Billy Batson but I'm sure they'll bring the intensity of Teth/Black Adam.
    2. lethargicj
      September 3, 2014
      It has long been rumored to be a kids movie. Back when The Rock was original working on it it was with the guy who did those Journey 3D movies.
      Now it's being written by the writer of Shrek, Turbo and Jack the Giant Slayer. That doesn't really scream hardcore grit. haha
  2. Guest
    September 3, 2014
    A WB suit said the same thing a while ago as well.
2. Frank
  September 3, 2014
  Magic isn't that difficult to incorporate into the Man of Steel universe. Warner Bros. distributed the Harry Potter film series, they should be familiarized with Wizards.
  1. Mike Weaver
    September 3, 2014
    It's not that they aren't familiar with the concept. It just doesn't seem to be the universe they set up. But then again, Marvel is introducing magic into the same universe as Iron Man so...
3. Orlando Furioso
  September 3, 2014
  Jack the Giant Slayer shows all the signs of having been written by committee, in spite of the credits. It is just too uneven in tone.
Frank
September 3, 2014
Now we just need an article saying that Steven R. McQueen has been cast as Dick Grayson.
Kelvin Murray
September 3, 2014
Great people of Batmannews.com I shall retire from this page until the inevitable release of Dawn of Justice and return to give my greatest critique ever until then peace to you all.
1. lethargicj
  September 3, 2014
  See ya tomorrow.
2. Unique Jenique
  September 3, 2014
  Bye Felicia.
3. Knight-Errant
  September 3, 2014
  You already indicated its an abomination. Why actually wait to see it? You're mind is already made up.
  Stick around & play some more!
4. FINALLY
  September 4, 2014
  ..................
5. Chris Terrio
  September 5, 2014
  Actually I think the film is a success but you find stupid ways to hate it (what critics did to Man of Steel).
6. Harish
  April 3, 2015
  Too bad because this movie is going to be a great one, nonetheless we at batman news will be waiting to see your epic loser face on March 25 2016.
sebasdlt
September 3, 2014
C'mon guys, the only one worthy of being The Rock's opponent is non other than Stone Cold Steve Austin
1. lethargicj
  September 3, 2014
  I'd rather see Stone Cold E.T.

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This is an archive of Batman-News.com from 2010 to 2025. For the latest news, check out BatmanNews.com