Dwayne Johnson Blames 'Black Adam 2' Cancellation on "Change in Leadership" (2024)

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Dwayne Johnson Blames 'Black Adam 2' Cancellation on "Change in Leadership"? ›

In response to Hart's question regarding why the franchise was being pulled, Dwayne Johnson shared that it is because the franchise was “caught in a vortex of new leadership.” Johnson continued to share, “It was so many changes in leadership.

and DC Studios ultimately decided not to move forward with Black Adam 2. The actor, who spent 15 years fighting to make the original superhero film, says a second installment was axed due to a "vortex of new leadership."

Johnson stressed that his “Black Adam” franchise got “caught in the web of new leadership,” but he still doesn't completely understand why the character got dropped given what he views as the film's multiple success points. “That will always be one of the biggest mysteries,” Johnson said.

Dwayne Johnson Says 'Black Adam' Did Not Get A Sequel Because Of “A Vortex Of New Leadership” At Warner Bros.

Will Black Adam return to the DCU? The Black Adam character could return in the rebooted DCU. But following the box office disappointment of Black Adam, it's unlikely for Dwayne Johnson to reprise his role. Dwayne Johnson was planning to be a crucial part of the DCEU beyond his first movie.

The Dwayne Johnson-led film was released in October 2022 to middling critical reception. The overblown action sequences, lack of a tight script, thin story, and poor character development meant that Black Adam was a disappointment for those excited to see the so-called shift in the hierarchy of the DCEU's power.

However, his successor Malik White has a chance to make the role of Black Adam (or whatever name he chooses) a force of good and a better hero in the DC Universe. Of course, that's as long as Black Adam's replacement doesn't stray down the wrong path - like somehow becoming Sargon of Akkad - with his incredible powers.

How much did The Rock make for Black Adam? According to Variety, The Rock was paid $22.5 million for his appearance in the DC film, Black Adam. The film unfortunately underperformed at the box office, so his back-end points may not be stellar from it. Dwayne Johnson speaks onstage at the Warner Bros.

Shazam is another hero who has battled and beat Black Adam numerous times, but that doesn't mean that Black Adam couldn't beat him. Shazam and Black Adam are completely even when it comes to power level. The reason Shazam wins their battles is simple: he's able to take advantage of Adam's weaknesses as a person to win.

DC Comics has already confirmed that while Black Adam may not be as strong as Superman, he has proven himself far more formidable.

Will there be a Black Adam 3? ›

Not only is a Black Adam sequel not happening, but Henry Cavill's Superman return isn't either, as the role has been recast for Gunn's new vision. Johnson has said he's had meetings with current DC bosses to see if the character can ever appear in the future, but it doesn't feel like it'll happen any time soon.

Who is in the Superman cast? After months of searching and secret auditions, Gunn finally announced his two leads for Superman in June 2023. Newcomer David Corenswet will be our new Clark Kent, Kal-El and Superman, while The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel's Rachel Brosnahan will be his Lois Lane.

Captain Atom has proven in past battles that he is stronger than Superman and has better fighting skills. He can also weaponize red sun radiation, which can weaken Superman like Kryptonite and magic. His sometimes uncontrolled nature has earned him a reputation as one of the most dangerous DC heroes.

Dwayne Johnson stars in "Black Adam". Johnson announced in December that "Black Adam" will not be part of DC Studios' "first chapter of storytelling" after he'd spoken with co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran. He did leave the door open for the character to be "utilized in future DC multiverse chapters."

Even though Superman is often considered the most powerful character in the DC Universe, Shazam definitely comes close, and he can even beat the Man of Steel. And with a massive power upgrade, there's no question that Shazam can meet Superman blow for blow—despite the upgrade's terrible side effects.

Shortly after the release of Black Adam, Warner Bros. and DC Studios was overhauled with Gunn and Safran taking the reins. In response to Hart's question regarding why the franchise was being pulled, Dwayne Johnson shared that it is because the franchise was “caught in a vortex of new leadership.”

Dwayne Johnson's Black Adam is not returning, nor is Zachary Levi's Billy Batson/Shazam. However, this doesn't mean Black Adam will never fight the World's Mightiest Mortal on the big screen.

Despite Black Adam's challenge, Superman's Kryptonian physiology ultimately makes him stronger, as confirmed in the issue. Fans eagerly anticipate a future showdown between Superman and Black Adam, with potential for an epic battle in various mediums.

Last week, The Wrap reported that Dwayne Johnson interfered with the sequel by preventing the filmmakers from using Black Adam characters in its post-credits sequence — even though Black Adam and Shazam originated in the same series of comics. Earlier this week, Shazam!