Dwayne Johnson is not returning as Black Adam for DC’s expanded universe now that James Gunn and Peter Safran are ready to create their own long-term plan for the franchise. And, since the announcement of the creation of DC Studios and its new heads, rumors have been common currency in the middle of Warner-Discovery’s crisis. But, of course, not all of it's true.
A recent rumor stated that before Black Adam’s release, The Rock pitched an idea to build a multiverse to David Zaslav, current president of the company, built around his character and the return of Henry Cavil’s Superman, who made a special appearance in the movie. The reports also claimed that The Rock had a ten-year plan for the franchise, with several Black Adam spin-offs in the mix and a crossover with Shazam!, given the history between the characters.
Now, days before the news of his parting ways with DC, the actor clarifies this information by denying it in a conversation with CNBC:
“That is simply not true. I had a great meeting with David Zaslav, myself and my longtime business partner Dany Garcia. Her and myself went in, we sat with David, and we did not pitch a ten-year plan at all. What our meeting was about was the future and how can we build across the entire platform of Warner Bros. and Discovery”.
What’s Next for Warner/DC?
2023 will be a loaded year for Warner-Discovery when it comes to DC with the release of Shazam! Fury of the Gods, the long-awaited sequel of the 2019 film starring Zachary Levi and Asher Angel as the World’s Mightiest Mortal. With David F. Sandberg directing again, the second part will introduce Lucy Liu and Helen Mirren as the main villains, with Rachel Zegler also joining the cast.
Later, Ezra Miller will return as Barry Allen for their own adventure in The Flash, with Andy Muschietty directing. The movie will freely adapt one of the characters’ most famous arcs, Flashpoint, having the Scarlet Speedster running back in time to save his mother and modifying his reality, with enormous consequences.
Cobra Kai’s Xolo Mariduena will also make his debut in the DC universe this year with the first big-screen adaptation of Blue Beetle. He’ll be joined by Susan Sarandon, Harvey Guillén, Bruna Marquezine, Belissa Escobedo, Raoul Max Trujillo, Damián Alcázar, and George Lopez, with Jason Sudeikis rumor to be playing a previous version of the character.
Finally, 2023 will close with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, the return of Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry, with James Wan directing once again. The movie could include the participation of Ben Affleck’s Batman, although his appearance was teased before the changes inside the company, so it could be removed.