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DC FanDome: Dwayne Johnson confirms Justice Society of America line-up for 'Black Adam'

Concept art for 'Black Adam' unveiled at DC FanDome. (Credit: DC/Warner Bros)
Concept art for 'Black Adam' unveiled at DC FanDome. (Credit: DC/Warner Bros)

Dwayne Johnson confirmed at the DC FanDome panel for Black Adam that the Justice Society of America will play a key role in the movie.

Johnson brought along some concept art trailers for the film, which has not yet been shot, and said he is in the “very early processes of this creation”.

Read more: Johnson teases Black Adam role

He revealed that his antihero will butt heads with the Justice Society of America, embodied by Hawkman and Dr Fate alongside new recruits Cyclone and Atom Smasher.

The latter character had already been announced, with actor Noah Centineo making a brief appearance at the panel alongside Johnson to promote his role as the young hero with the power of growth.

“I have a knack for destroying bullies, but there are some who think I need help,” Johnson said over images of the JSA heroes.

“They call themselves the Justice Society — an organisation that believes in fighting for truth and justice.

“Well I’m going to teach them that the only beliefs I fight for are mine. Welcome to truth, justice and the Black Adam way.”

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Johnson described his take on Black Adam as a “ruthless keeper of justice”, who is “judge, jury and executioner” for those with whom he tangles.

Introduced as a one-time villain in the 1940s before returning as a recurring character, Black Adam boasts the powers of the wizard Shazam, much like his hero counterpart.

Dwayne Johnson fronting season two of 'The Titan Games'. (Photo by: Steve Dietl/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
Dwayne Johnson fronting season two of 'The Titan Games'. (Photo by: Steve Dietl/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

“Superheroes have to exhibit a little bit of restraint when it comes to taking care of the bad guys,” said Johnson when discussing his character’s extraordinary abilities.

He added: “This idea that you can take all of Black Adam’s powers, and he does not practice restraint, that makes for a really powerful combination.

“One that’s explosive, one that’s very dangerous and ultimately very likeable, to me at least.”

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Johnson has been involved in developing the Black Adam movie for a decade and shared concept art, produced by Boss Logic, on his Instagram feed earlier this week.

A concept art trailer, opening the panel, revealed that the film’s version of Black Adam was imprisoned in his home nation of Kahndaq 5,000 years ago, but is now free.

Jaume Collet-Serra is due to take the helm of the movie, having directed Johnson in the upcoming Disney movie Jungle Cruise.

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Black Adam had been due to begin shooting in July 2020, but was scuppered by global production delays as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

It was due for a Christmas 2021 release, but it seems unlikely that the project will now meet that date.