Hollywood star Dwayne Johnson says that after talking with DC Studios co-chief James Gunn, his anti-hero Black Adam "will not be in their first chapter of storytelling". But, Johnson added a statement that indicated that DC and his production company, "have agreed to continue exploring the most valuable ways Black Adam can be utilised in future DC multiverse chapters".
Amid James Gunn's rise to a leadership position in the DCEU, the fate of some fan-fFavorite superheroes has been up in the air while the new team decides how to proceed.
In a lengthy note, Johnson tweeted, "I wanted to give you a long-awaited Black Adam update regarding the character’s future in the new DC Universe. James Gunn and I connected, and Black Adam will not be in their first chapter of storytelling. However, DC and Seven Bucks have agreed to continue exploring the most valuable ways Black Adam can be utilized in future DC multiverse chapters."
Assuring all that there is no bad blood between the two, he said, "James and I have known each other for years and have always rooted for each other to succeed. It's no different now, and I will always root for DC (and Marvel) to win and WIN BIG. You guys know me, and I have very thick skin – and you can always count on me to be direct with my words. These decisions made by James and DC leadership represent their vision of DCU through their creative lens."
In response, Gunn tweeted" "Love the Rock, and I'm always excited to see what he and Seven Bucks do next. Can't wait to collaborate soon."
The DC shake-up now has fans worried about Zachary Levi's role as 'Shazam'. However, the actor seems to have calmed fans’ nervousness about him leaving the role or being recast in any way.
However, going by Zachary's reply to a Twitter post, there seems to be no truth to the viral rumours. Levi tweeted, "Oooh, I really wouldn’t go believing everything you see on the internet. I’m Gucci, Ash. We all Gucci."
He is set to return as the superhero in the upcoming film 'Shazam! Fury of the Gods' which releases in 2023.
The announcement is the latest in a flurry of headlines that have followed Gunn's appointment to the head of DC Studios with producer Peter Safran, as the two men reshape the future of Warner Bros.'s slate of films, TV shows and games based on DC characters. The two have reportedly untangled the DC Universe from the suite of characters that have been established over the last 10 years, starting with Gal Gadot's 'Wonder Woman' and Henry Cavill's 'Superman' - two actors who have played the roles in multiple movies.
Cavill most recently appeared in 'Black Adam' as the Man of Steel in a post-credits cameo, which presaged the actor's announcement that he was "back as Superman." However, after Gunn and Safran landed their jobs in DC and began charting the course of the cinematic universe, Cavill announced to fans that he would not, in fact, be returning as the last son of Krypton. Gunn confirmed the same, while adding that he was writing a new Superman movie that will chronicle the younger days of the character. He also said that the reason for Cavill's exit was to make way for a younger actor to be cast in the role.
Johnson, by contrast, just made his DC debut with 'Black Adam', which premiered in theatres in October to disappointing box office returns, throwing prospects of a sequel into doubt within weeks of its opening. To date, the movie has earned $391 million worldwide (against a $195 million budget, plus marketing), and studio insiders have told 'Variety' that 'Black Adam' will likely lose money, an assessment Johnson has disputed on Twitter.
The social media posts come a day after Gunn addressed "disrespectful outcry" by some DC fans for his creative decisions regarding Cavill and Gadot.
"We were aware there would be a period of turbulence when we took this gig, and we knew we would sometimes have to make difficult and not-so-obvious choices, especially in the wake of the fractious nature of what came before us," Gunn posted.
"Our choices for the DCU are based upon what we believe is best for the story and 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 and integrity, and always with the story in mind."
