To say that the DCEU has been faltering in 2022 is quite the understatement. First, we had the sudden cancellation and bonfire-esque disposal of Batgirl. Even though the film was set for a quiet HBO Max release and not a theatrical one, this event placed would-be fans of the movie into quite the upheaval. Secondly, executives over at Warner Bros. were recently caught saying that they regretted ever releasing the Snyder Cut of Justice League because this movie helped widen the distance between WB leadership and the loyalty of DC fans.
But with the upcoming Black Adam movie, Warner Bros. Discovery is hoping to finally knock one out of the park and change fans’ minds when it comes to their perception of the DCEU. Some would say this much-needed change is already being achieved through the casting choice alone of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, playing the movie’s titular character, Black Adam.
One look beneath the surface of this October 2022 DCEU theatrical release, though, and one could see that there is much more to look forward to than just the character of Black Adam coming alive on the big screen for the first time. Moviegoers will be able to immerse themselves in not only a dark and gritty DCEU entry but also a dark and gritty DCEU entry where the main character is an anti-hero who makes the point to say that he is not afraid to kill. But more importantly (and what was shown in the trailer), a number of other DC characters will make their DC Extended Universe big screen debut, including Hawkman, Atom Smasher, Isis, Sabbac, Cyclone, and last but not least, Doctor Fate who is being played by the admirable Pierce Brosnan.
Specifically speaking, Brosnan will play the Kent Nelson incarnation of the golden helmeted superhero in Black Adam. While all the characters mentioned above hold equal stature in their own respective rights, Doctor Fate is a very strong magical being who could be a formidable opponent for our main character if any hostility suddenly starts to stir between the two.
From a Boy to a Doctor
Created in 1940 by writer Gardner Fox and artist Howard Sherman, the character of Doctor Fate is born when Kent Nelson and his father are on an archeological summit in the Valley of Ur. Opening the tomb of Nabu The Wise (who is also called the Lord of Order) with no apprehension, Kent not only releases a poisonous gas that kills his father but also lets out the spirit of Nabu as well.
Because Nabu feels remorse about the boy’s father being killed, he takes Kent on as a sort of apprentice and teaches him how to become a skilled magician, practicing many forms of mystical arts for the next two decades, which include flying, spell casting, self-healing and manipulation of natural elements (just to name a few). After training is finally completed, Nabu gives Kent the symbolic magical cape, helmet, and amulet we see Doctor Fate wear today.
Fate's Feats
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Besides his literal origin story, Kent Nelson as Doctor Fate also has quite the achievement list that might make Black Adam think twice about showing any sort of violence his way. Throughout his long history in DC Comics, Doctor Fate proudly co-founded the Justice Society of America in the 1940s alongside names such as The Flash, Green Lantern, and Hawkman (who is also in Black Adam). Kent was also a part of the U.S Army during World War II, where he served as a paratrooper.
In the 1970s, he valiantly fought alongside both Batman and Superman. The most interesting piece that fits within the Doctor Fate timeline is that there was a storyline arc where he had to split his helmet in half because Nabu was overreaching his welcome and trying to overtake Kent’s entire person.
One would think that after winning all of these battles (especially one against the mentor that trained him for 20 years), Kent would hang his helmet up and be satisfied with all that he accomplished over the years, but that is not the case. Being placed into the position by Wonder Woman herself, Kent served as an original advisor for the Justice League Dark superhero team before he was killed off in the 2018 comic of the same name when the team faced off against the Upside Down Man. The character of Doctor Fate would honorably live on through his grandnephew, Khalid Nassour, who would be given the trademark Helmet of Fate by his pet cat.
As you can see, there is a lot to digest when it comes to the origin and lore surrounding one of the more mystically powered characters featured in the Black Adam movie. It will be very interesting to see how the original embodiment of the Doctor Fate character is brought to life when Black Adam hits theaters on October 21st, 2022.