Black Adam

Dwayne Johnson spent fifteen years pushing to bring Black Adam to the screen. The role, originally considered for the villain slot in Shazam!, grew into its own standalone project under director Jaume Collet-Serra. Johnson plays Teth Adam, an ancient Kahndaqi granted the powers of Egyptian gods who, after being imprisoned for millennia, wakes in a modern world ruled by Intergang. The film introduces the Justice Society of America to live action: Hawkman (Aldis Hodge), Dr. Fate (Pierce Brosnan), Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo), and Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell).

Shot at Trilith Studios in Atlanta between April and August 2021, the production carried a $200 million budget. Lorne Balfe composed the score, blending orchestral themes with Middle Eastern instrumentation to reflect Kahndaq. The visual effects involved Weta Digital, Industrial Light & Magic, and Framestore. Released in October 2022, the film grossed $393 million worldwide, a figure that fell short of expectations for a Johnson-led blockbuster. Critical reception was lukewarm, with a 39% Tomatometer score, though audiences gave it an 88% approval rating.

The film is notable for its mid-credits scene, which brought back Henry Cavill as Superman for the first time since 2017's Justice League. That moment generated enormous fan excitement, but the subsequent restructuring of DC Studios under James Gunn and Peter Safran ended Cavill's return and shelved plans for a Black Adam sequel. The character's future in the DC Universe remains uncertain.[edit]

In the ancient kingdom of Kahndaq, 2600 BC, the tyrannical King Ahk-Ton forges the Crown of Sabbac, a relic granting demonic power. A young slave named Teth Adam is chosen by the Council of Wizards to become the champion of Kahndaq, imbued with the strength of the Egyptian gods. He kills the king and destroys the crown, but the wizards imprison him for his unrestrained vengeance, sealing him in a tomb for millennia.

In the present day, Kahndaq suffers under the oppression of Intergang, an international crime syndicate. Archaeologist Adrianna Tomaz and her brother Karim discover the ancient Crown of Sabbac. When Intergang attacks, Adrianna recites an incantation that frees Teth Adam. He awakens in the modern world and immediately dispatches the Intergang soldiers with brutal, lethal force. His methods draw the attention of Amanda Waller, who tasks the Justice Society of America with bringing him in.

The JSA arrives in Kahndaq: Hawkman, a noble warrior with Nth metal wings; Dr. Fate, a powerful sorcerer who can see the future; Atom Smasher, who can grow to giant size; and Cyclone, who controls the wind. They confront Black Adam, believing him a dangerous threat. However, the local population sees Black Adam as a liberator and a symbol of resistance. Adrianna and her son Amon try to guide him, teaching that a hero can inspire hope without killing. Black Adam remains conflicted, haunted by the trauma of losing his own family thousands of years ago.

Meanwhile, Ishmael, an Intergang leader with a personal connection to Kahndaq's ancient history, manipulates events to acquire the Crown of Sabbac. The central conflict becomes a three-way struggle: the JSA trying to capture Black Adam, Black Adam trying to destroy the crown, and Ishmael trying to unleash the demonic power of Sabbac. As battles rage, Dr. Fate sees a grim vision of the future, realizing their rigid approach may lead to catastrophe. The story builds to a confrontation where Ishmael succeeds in his plan, forcing the JSA and Black Adam to set aside their differences to face a common, hellish enemy.[edit]