Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Black Adam

  • Dwayne Johnson on Henry Cavill’s Return to the DC Universe

    Dwayne Johnson on Henry Cavill’s Return to the DC Universe

    As Dwayne Johnson’s career trajectory continued upward over the last decade and a half, one thing remained constant: his passion for Black Adam. First announced in 2007, the project has survived stops and starts in DC Universe, changes in leadership and changes in which characters and stories have been prioritized. Now as it’s finally about to be released, Black Adam seems set to serve as a jumping-off point for a new version of a connected DC Universe, but there’s one character that Johnson, and fans, have been eager to see back on screen.

    Henry Cavill made his debut as Superman in 2013’s Man of Steel, which once upon a time seemed to be the jumping-off point for a DC Universe shaped by Zack Snyder. However, following appearances in Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League, Cavill was absent from other projects and with no development on a Man of Steel sequel, fans had all but given up hope on his return as Kal-El. Johnson, however, never did. In an interview with ET at Black Adam’s premiere, Johnson seemingly confirmed the return of Cavill as Superman and discussed why it’s so important to have him back.

    The whole goal and initiative of Black Adam was to build out the DC Universe by introducing not only Black Adam but the entire JSA. 5 new superhero characters in one movie and also, as I have been saying all along, there’s an ethos we at Seven Bucks have…Seven Bucks Productions…myself, my co-founder, Dany Garcia, and Hiram Garcia and that is we’ll always put the fans first. Audience comes first. So, for years, audiences have been so passionate and vocal about…we’ve established Black Adam as the most powerful and unstoppable on our planet…but the fans have been so passionate about, as we have been, where is the most unstoppable force in the universe? Where is he? Well, just like I fought hard for Black Adam for fifteen years, Dany has been fighting for six years, Hiram has been fighting for six years, fifteen years. We’ve all been fighting for this moment, so I will say this: welcome home.

    Dwayne Johnson

    Rumors have swirled for months that Black Adam would see Cavill return to the role of Superman and Johnson’s all-but-confirmation here has to be exciting for fans, not only for this film but for the future, which Johnson has also spoken about recently. Let’s hope it doesn’t take 15 more years before we see the two titans share the screen again!

  • Producer Dany Garcia on the Long Journey to ‘Black Adam’

    Producer Dany Garcia on the Long Journey to ‘Black Adam’

    In 2007, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was announced as Black Adam for Warner Bros. and DC Comics. At the time, it was expected that he would first pop up in Shazam! but the plan eventually changed with Johnson and his team opting instead to give the anti-hero a solo film first. Now, after what feels like forever, Black Adam is finally set to hit the big screen later this month.

    While at the film’s premiere, producer Dany Garcia briefly talked about the film’s long journey to the big screen and Johnson’s commitment to the character. “A decade and a half ago, we knew that character was a character that Dwayne should play… it’s been pushing a boulder every day forward, but believing in the vision.”

    Starring alongside Johnson in Black Adam are Aldis Hodge as Hawkman, Quintessa Swindell as Cyclone, Noah Centineo as Atom Smasher and Pierce Brosnan as Doctor Fate. Black Adam is directed by Jaume Collet-Serra from a script by Adam Sztykiel, Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani.

    Black Adam is set to hit theaters on Oct. 21st. It is currently on track to earn between $70 million and $75 million.

  • ‘Black Adam:’ Aldis Hodge is Ready for Mr. Terrific and Hawkgirl to Board the DCEU

    ‘Black Adam:’ Aldis Hodge is Ready for Mr. Terrific and Hawkgirl to Board the DCEU

    On Wednesday evening, Warner Bros. Discovery held the world premiere of its latest offering: Black Adam. The film has long been expected to usher in a new era for DC Comics on the big screen. And while currently tracking for an impressive opening, it remains to be seen when or if a sequel eventually happens. Still, one cast member is already dreaming of where this new take on the DC Extended Universe could go, and he’s hoping it includes Mr. Terrific and Hawkgirl.

    While walking the red carpet for Black Adam, Hawkman actor Aldis Hodge was asked which characters from the comics he’d like to see join the DCEU. Hodge, of course, noted he had two characters in particular on his mind. “Two people. I want to bring in Mr. Terrific – his backstory is amazing – and also Hawkgirl.”

    It’s of note that Hawkgirl was originally meant to appear in Black Adam along with Stargirl. Which would’ve given the actor part of his wish. However, throughout the years, changes were made to the script and Hawkgirl was unfortunately cut. With DC’s slate currently up in the air, it’s unknown if Hawkgirl (or Mr. Terrific) will appear in any forthcoming project, but should Black Adam perform well, one has to think Hawkgirl’s big screen debut can’t be too far off.

    Black Adam hits theaters on Oct. 21st, 2022.

  • Dwayne Johnson Promises a Major Showdown Ahead in the DC Universe

    Dwayne Johnson Promises a Major Showdown Ahead in the DC Universe

    It’s been said so much that it’s become a meme: the hierarchy of power in the DC Unvierse is changing. In just a couple of weeks, fans will see for themselves what Dwayne Johnson has been teasing when Black Adam hits theaters. Johnson has called the long-gestating project the “hardest undertaking of [his] entire career physically & mentally” and has maintained his passion for bringing the character to the screen for the better part of a decade.

    With the future of the DC Universe uncertain in the wake of massive ongoing changes at WB, it’s safe to say that all eyes will be on the box office performance of Black Adam as WB decides just what the future holds. While the execs might be debating what’s next, Johnson is pretty bullish on what he thinks needs to happen and, in an interview with CinemBlend, he made it very clear: Black Adam vs. Superman. When asked if he intends for the two titans to go toe-to-toe on screen, Johnson held nothing back, saying, “Absolutely. That is the whole point of this man. Thank you for asking that.“

    Johnson continued on, giving some insight into what the new DC era he’ been talking about really means

    And I have been saying for some time, there’s a new era in the DC Universe that’s about to begin. And what I meant by that was introducing a brand new character. It’s not a sequel, not an existing IP. It was…you know, Black Adam! Two years ago the world had no idea who he was. We did, but not, you know, the rest of the mass out there. Introducing the JSA, introducing that new era of the DC universe.

    Dwayne Johson

    According to Johson, however, the new era isn’t just about introducing new characters. It’s also about giving the fans what they want, including more Superman.

    But also what I really meant by, ‘This is a new era in the DC Universe,’ is listening to the fans. Listening to the fans. And doing our best to give the fans what they want. And maybe, sometime down the road — and I went through this in pro wrestling — is you can’t always give them what you want. But you’ll always know that we’re listening. And in this case, with what you and I are talking about, I have been listening and I’ve been wanting to address fans for years. Because I’ve been waiting for someone to step up and address the fans and say, ‘Hey, we hear you.’ So finally, after many months turned into many years, we ended up with what we ended up at. And the whole goal and intention now is to this new era, new time. Now let’s build out.

    Dwayne Johnson

    Rumors continue to proliferate that Henry Cavill’s Kal-El makes an appearance in Black Adam, but it sounds as though Johnson has more than just a brief meeting between the two in mind. While everyone is waiting for the Shazam/Black Adam movie, it seems Johnson has other plans.

    Source: CinemaBlend

  • ‘Black Adam’ Producer Reflects on the DC Film’s 10-Year Journey

    ‘Black Adam’ Producer Reflects on the DC Film’s 10-Year Journey

    Black Adam has been one of those projects that seem like they would’ve never been released. For 10 years, the project has been in some form of development, and with it finally released later this month, it seems incredible that the project is still on its way to theaters. That feeling is the same for everyone involved as highlighted by producer Beau Flynn.

    A lot of changes have [happened] but ultimately it does feel like we’re exactly in a place we need to be. This one called on all of our abilities and experiences over the last 20 years. The script as we know, it started out as a Shazam! / Black Adam launch for both characters. that was something we never fully got our arms around or could crack. Once they gave us the opportunity to make Black Adam on our own, we had a great time developing that script in a much different way.  Richard Brener, runs New Line and our executive, he has been consistently there all the way from the beginning of this to now still today, which is maybe the only person that was consistently there from top to bottom, him and Dave Neustadter. That did provide us a lane to be consistent with this movie regardless of all the other changes.

    Beau Flynn

    Dwayne Johnson also goes on to highlight that it was “fate” that the project happened ten years later, especially fitting given how Doctor Fate has a major role in the film and just how long Johnson has been campaigning to keep this project going.

    I think that we have finally landed exactly where we need to be. I do believe, like Doctor Fate, Fate doesn’t make mistakes. Black Adam happened when it needed to happen, and it happened 10 years later.

    Dwayne Johnson

    It definitely seems like the wait was worth it and many fans hope that it might revitalize the DCEU, especially with the uncertainty surrounding what has been happening with Warner Bros. Discovery. Nothing is set in stone but any franchise would not waste any chance to have Dwayne Johnson as their franchise builder.

    Source: ComicBook.com

  • The Rock Teases Potential Superman Showdown with ‘Black Adam’

    The Rock Teases Potential Superman Showdown with ‘Black Adam’

    As Black Adam prepares to be a hopeful kickstart for DC’s cinematic universe, star actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has teased a potential return from DC’s cinematic past. In an interview as part of the press tour for Black Adam, Johnson alluded to Superman returning to the fold and facing off with the character of Black Adam. When discussing the desire to make the film and its world appeal to already-existing fans, this is what the actor had to say about his character in relation to Superman. 

    We will create Black Adam for him to be the most powerful and unstoppable force on this planet. The most powerful and unstoppable force in the universe has been on the sidelines for too long.

    Dwayne Johnson

    With rumors beginning to circulate more and more about Henry Cavill’s return as Superman, this quote does feel like one of the most overt allusions that there’s fire to the smoke. Cavill was last seen as the Man of Steel in 2021’s Zack Snyder’s Justice League, and before that just being the original cut of the film. As it’s long been teased that The Flash coming next year will serve as a soft reboot point for DC Extended Universe, many were curious where Cavill’s portrayal stood in terms of the future. If Superman is indeed being planned to face off with Black Adam as rumored, that should clear up where Henry Cavill stands in terms of the new direction of DC’s film franchise.

    Black Adam is set to release exclusively in theaters on October 21.

    Source: Jake’s Takes

  • ‘Black Adam’ Currently Tracking for $70M-$75M Opening

    ‘Black Adam’ Currently Tracking for $70M-$75M Opening

    Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson‘s Black Adam is flying high in current projections. The New Line and Warner Bros. Discovery film is currently eyeing an opening between $70 million and $75 million. Should those numbers hold, Johnson will easily score his biggest opening as a leading man – not including the Fast & Furious films, of course.

    Black Adam is set to debut on October 21st and is reportedly on track with Sony’s Venom flick, which went on to earn $80 million in October 2018. As is always the case, projections are not concrete and countless things could alter a film’s box office release including word of mouth. With the pandemic still ongoing and theaters struggling to recover, Black Adam‘s estimates are thought to be on the lower end but an $80 million opening isn’t entirely out of question.

    The road to get to this point was a rather long and bumpy one for the actor. Johnson was initially cast as Black Adam in November 2007 and finally got to suit up as the character when Black Adam entered production last year. Now, with Warner Bros. Discovery looking to revamp its DC output and Black Adam being one of only two films released by the studio in the fourth quarter, Johnson’s Black Adam has a chance to chance to help build the DC Universe going forward. The actor has been heavily promoting the film, having made an appearance at San Diego Comic-Con in July, where Discovery treated fans to a sneak peek at the film. He also introduced a new trailer for Black Adam at the Los Angeles Rams-Buffalo Bills game which helped to kick off the 2022 NFL regular season.

    Starring alongside Johnson in Black Adam are Aldis Hodge as Hawkman, Quintessa Swindell as Cyclone, Noah Centineo as Atom Smasher and Pierce Brosnan as Doctor Fate. Black Adam is directed by Jaume Collet-Serra from a script by Adam Sztykiel, Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani.

    Source: THR.

  • ‘Black Adam’ May Not Make as Much as ‘The Batman’ at the Domestic Box Office

    ‘Black Adam’ May Not Make as Much as ‘The Batman’ at the Domestic Box Office

    Dwayne Johnson is about to change the power dynamic in the DC Extended Universe as Warner Bros. Discovery seemingly dismantles itself from within. Still, there’s a lot riding on the upcoming Black Adam project, as it’s the last major release for the studio this year. As they are facing financial troubles and Don’t Worry Darling isn’t doing as hoped either, there’s a lot of money riding on their next superhero project set to release in late October. Yet, it seems that current predictions don’t see it making as big of a splash as the March release, The Batman.

    According to Variety and an analysis by Cinelytics, Black Adam is likely to pull in around $328M domestically. While Johnson is quite the box office draw, he still is playing a rather obscure character in the DC universe that is also hoping to bank on some familiarity with the legacy characters of the Justice Society of America. The property is untested and with the hope to build a bunch of spinoffs from this one film, there’s some concern on just how well it’ll perform. If these projection turns out to be true, the film is likely to make less than The Batman and Thor: Love and Thunder.

    It should not be downplayed as it’s a strong turn-in for a new property to pass $300M domestically. Plus, it’s being compared to one of the most well-established characters in pop culture and the first fourth entry of a Marvel Cinematic Universe film. If it makes its budget back and gains a profit, it’ll be a win for Warner Bros. either way but the question remains just how profitable do they expect this film to be. If it doesn’t make a “big enough” splash for the execs, they may also not be too happy with its results. Luckily, there’s still some time and who knows how things turn out once marketing starts pushing harder ahead of its release.

    Source: Variety

  • Warner Bros. Discovery is Reportedly Low on Funds for the Year

    Warner Bros. Discovery is Reportedly Low on Funds for the Year

    With David Zaslav and his team overseeing the new Warner Bros. after the merger with Discovery, massive turnover and changes have been made for the film studio. In recent weeks, we’ve seen Batgirl get shelved, as well as the sequel to Scoob!, despite both of those films being well within the post-production process. Batgirl, Scoob!, and the countless content removed from HBO Max are the casualties of Warner Bros. Discovery trying to save money through tax write-offs. And now, following news that the studio was shuffling around more release dates, it appears Warner Bros. Discovery needs all the financial help it can get at the moment.

    The latest bit of news coming from Warner Bros are the delays of both Shazam: Fury of the Gods and Aquaman: The Lost Kingdom, with Fury of the Gods moving to March 2023 and Aquaman moving to December 2023 respectively. This has been in line with the consistent delays of DC superhero films that have plagued the studio since the beginning of the pandemic. However, these moves have further indicated a large amount of financial turmoil for the studio according to Borys Kit of The Hollywood Reporter.

    The revelation of Warner Bros. Discovery only having the financial capital to release two films for the remaining near-half year of 2022 is certainly damning. It indicates a massive rocky road that Zaslav will have to try and navigate without, in theory, “rocking the boat” too much more. If that isn’t possible, the company could be forced to face even more upheaval despite being within this dire state for a considerable time. The financial sacrifices they’ve made thus far have caused some level of alienation with the creative base of Hollywood, and Warner Bros Discovery will have to tread carefully to remain in the upper echelon of the American film hierarchy.

    If there is any solace, Don’t Worry Darling and Black Adam both hold the potential to be relatively successful breadwinners for Warner Bros. Discovery. After all, Don’t Worry Darling has held a decently strong marketing campaign highlighting the intrigue of Olivia Wilde’s sophomore directorial feature. In addition, the all-star cast led by the likes of Florence Pugh and Harry Styles could drive audiences to theaters. Meanwhile, Warner Bros is certainly hoping that Black Adam can serve as a much-needed kickstart for a direction that the studio can take with its DC Extended Universe. It remains to be seen if Dwyane Johnson’s portrayal of the titular character alongside the Justice Society of America can change the narrative of the struggling franchise.

    Source: Twitter.

  • New ‘Multiversus’ Image Reveals ‘Gremlins’ Stripe and Black Adam as Playable Characters

    New ‘Multiversus’ Image Reveals ‘Gremlins’ Stripe and Black Adam as Playable Characters

    It looks like a new leak may have revealed the next two additions to Warner Bros. Multiversus. The latest Super Smash Bros. clone uses the vast library of the WB license to have characters from Game of Thrones, Adventure Time, DC Comics, and many more iconic franchises face off against each other. Now, it seems two more additions have been revealed in a newly leaked banner for the game.

    It seems that the game is eyeing adding a character from Gremlins, Spike, as a playable character alongside DC Comic’s anti-hero Black Adam. The latter is definitely a perfectly timed addition with Dwayne Johnson‘s upcoming film hitting theaters in the coming months. It’s also great to see such a cult classic like the 1984 horror film getting some representation. You can see the banner as shared by @InTheShadeMV here:

    https://twitter.com/InTheShadeMV/status/1559037386243424256

    He has also uploaded a closer look at the two new additions in a new tweet that offers a better look at the details going into their designs:

    https://twitter.com/InTheShadeMV/status/1559166513717944322

    It’s interesting that Black Adam is closer to his comic design rather than what he’ll look like in his film. Of course, it likely wouldn’t be cheap to get Dwayne Johnson‘s likeness in the game. Though, they have recently added LeBron James as a playable character from the latest Space Jam film, which means that skin could be in the cards at some point. So, anything is possible with Multiversus right now.

    Source: Twitter