We all knew changes were afoot, and new studio chief James Gunn revealed today that more DC Studios announcements would arrive in January, but today, there’s been one more casualty added to the old Water Hamada-led DCEU. “Black Adam 2” will not be moving forward. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson announced the news over social media today. The actor admitted Black Adam would not be part of Gunn and DC Studios co-chief Peter Safran’s DC plan but held out some for returning in the future.
“James Gunn and I connected, and Black Adam will not be in their first chapter of storytelling,” Johnson wrote in a statement Tuesday. “However, DC and Seven Bucks have agreed to continue exploring the most valuable ways Black Adam can be utilized in future DC multiverse chapters.”
“Love TheRock,” Gunn responded on Twitter. “And I’m always excited to see what he & Seven Bucks do next. Can’t wait to collaborate soon. ?”
A 15-year labor of love for Dwayne Johnson (read our interview with the star here), “Black Adam” did not really connect with audiences. Released on October 21, the film was besieged by bad reviews and failed to hit the $400 million mark worldwide, tapping out at $391 million (our review is here). Domestically, the story was worse, and “Black Adam” could not even cross the $170 million mark, not a great sign for a superhero film.
This all said, to be entirely fair, with Gunn and Safran coming in with a brand new plan, already replacing Henry Cavill as Superman, and nixing Patty Jenkins’ script for “Wonder Woman 3,” (though technically that was different WB management than Gunn’s), Johnson’s “Black Adam” franchise could have been scrapped regardless. Gunn and Safran have repeatedly said that change is on the horizon, and some fans wouldn’t be happy with all their choices.
While it’s not clear if a complete reboot of the DC Universe is in the cards, with Gunn writing a new younger version of “Superman,” “Wonder Woman 3” up in the air, Ben Affleck is putting in one more turn as Batman, and “The Flash” seeming already set to reset much of the universe, if it’s not a complete reboot, it could be close (it’s been rumored that Jason Momoa could take on a new role instead of Aquaman).
Gunn posted on Instagram yesterday to address the already unruly and upset DC fandom reiterating that “disrespectful outcry will never, ever affect our actions” and that their plan is their plan, regardless.
“One of the things Peter & I were aware of when we took the job as heads of DC Studios was a certain minority of people online that could be, well, uproarious & unkind, to say the least,” he wrote. “Our choices for the DCU are based upon what we believe is best for the story & 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 & integrity & always with the story in mind.”
So, what is in store for the DC Universe now that Black Adam is dead? Well, “Shazam! Fury Of the Gods” arrives in March 2023, but those franchises—while supposed to be connected—are not really. As for the assumption that Gal Gadot is no longer Wonder Woman, Gunn responded to an Instagram comment where a user said he had booted Gadot from the role. “I’m not sure where you’re getting that we ‘booted’ Gal,” though he did not elaborate beyond that.
Whatever is in the cards for the future, it definitely seems change is in the air. If you want to hear more of our thoughts on it all, listen to our DC Studios Upheaval Again As James Gunn Teases A New Universe podcast.
Read all the statements below.
