Believe it or not, it has been six years since Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson was cast as Black Adam, who is expected to eventually play the foil to Zachary Levi's Shazam.
Overlaid on an animated video clip, Johnson's voice began the panel, saying, "I've been waiting for this moment for a very long time. This is the one that's going to change everything. This is Black Adam."
Johnson, now in character as Black Adam, explained that 5,000 years ago, Kahndaq needed a hero. "Instead, they got me. I did what needed to be done, and they imprisoned me for it." Now, Black Adam is free, and, Johnson continued, "No one will ever stop me again."
"I wish I could show you more, but we are still in the very early stages of this process," Johnson said from the CGI stage of DC FanDome. However, he promised, "We are going to go beyond your highest expectations."
With that, Johnson began answering fan questions - the first of which asked how powerful can we expect Black Adam to be. Johnson explained, "Black Adam is one of the most powerful superheroes, antiheroes, villains ... in the DC Universe. [...] You could take all of Black Adam's powers, [and] he does not practice restraint. That makes for a very powerful combination."
The next question asked what stuck out to Johnson about Black Adam that made him unique, in comparison to the many other roles he has played. "Black Adam has been with me for a very, very long time," he said about the project, which has been in the works for more than 10 years. "He is an antihero. I love that. I love that he has his own sense of Black Adam justice."
Because Black Adam's origins are set in slavery, Johnson explained there is a larger entity holding him down until he can't take it anymore. "I've always loved that about Black Adam."
A fan wrote in to ask if the movie stay faithful to the idea that Black Adam is a ruthless keeper of justice instead of a typical villain. Johnson replied, "What I can promise you is that the Black Adam that I feel in my heart is the right one to root our story in. Regardless of which version of Black Adam you love, he is the judge, jury and executioner. He believes in an eye for and eye, and he will [do whatever it takes] to protect his family."
Noah Centineo, who plays the size-changing hero Atom Smasher, who will be one of (apparently) several heroes to square off against Black Adam in the movie, popped by to chat with Johnson about working together, their physical regiments and a few other things.
Johnson asked what attracted Centineo to the project. "I feel like he really has something to prove, especially with his lineage, [...] and he's got quite the spirit to help," Cenitneo said. "I think he's not expecting the world of being a superhero because this is his first mission. It's an exciting character, it's a new character, it's a fresh face and I don't mind being the size of the Eiffel Tower."
"This has been a passion project, a dream of mine, for many, many years," Johnson told Centineo, as he thanked him for his contributions to the movie.
Johnson talked about the introduction of the Justice Society of America, which has been a hot topic surrounding the plot. An animated video explained the origins of several new characters: Hawkman, Doctor Fate, Cyclone and Atom Smasher. "Welcome to truth, justice and the Black Adam way," Johnson ominously states at the end of the clip, which you can watch below:
Finally, Johnson asked fans to let the Flash, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Batman and Superman know, "Things will never be the same, because the hierarchy of power in the DC Universe is about to change." Quite the bold statement!
It will still be a while before "Black Adam" hits the big screen, but that means there is plenty of time to discuss our theories and excitement. Let us know what you think in the comments below, find me on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter (here and here).
