Dwayne Johnson recently opened up about the unfortunate demise of the anticipated Black Adam sequel, attributing its downfall to a tumultuous wave of leadership changes within Warner Bros. Discovery.
During a recent appearance on Kevin Hart’s engaging show, “Hart to Heart,” the acclaimed actor delved into the character and the film, a labor of love that had been years in the making. Leading up to the slated release of Black Adam in October 2022, Johnson had expressed intentions to craft a distinctive chapter within the expansive DC Universe, aiming to extend the character’s narrative. However, this vision was swiftly reshaped under the new guidance of James Gunn and Peter Safran, who assumed control over DC Studios.
Addressing the abrupt halt of the franchise, prompted by Hart’s inquiry, Johnson articulated, “Black Adam became trapped in the upheaval of new leadership. During the creation, development, and filming of Black Adam, we found ourselves contending with a rapid succession of leadership changes. In such a dynamic context—especially within a publicly traded behemoth like Warner Bros. Discovery—fresh leaders bring forth creative and fiscal choices that might not align with one’s stance.”
Continuing to stress his point, Johnson reiterated that the Black Adam sequel was trapped in the intricate web woven by these transitions, musing that its cancellation remains a mysterious enigma. “Imagine having your career’s grandest opening. Granted, China was absent, which could have garnered an additional 100 to 200 million dollars,” he mused. “We were ushering in a new superhero, aspiring to nurture a burgeoning franchise. The return of Superman and Henry Cavill set the world abuzz. We aspired to cultivate a diverse superhero panorama, as vividly exemplified in Black Adam 2.”
While the film garnered one of Johnson’s most impressive openings and boasted an audience score of 88 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, it struggled to meet its projected success. Globally, it achieved a box office tally of $391 million yet faced a barrage of negative reviews from critics, languishing at a 38 percent score.
Johnson expressed a profound disquiet that the sequel was viewed from a perspective other than the audience’s desires. In his conversation with Hart, he remarked, “While we maintain a business-centric approach that prioritizes economic returns, we also embrace the concept of fostering opportunities and delivering novel experiences that resonate with our audience—the ultimate authority. Neglecting this perspective does add complexity to matters.”
In a candid December 2022 disclosure, Johnson disclosed that the plans for a Black Adam sequel had been indefinitely shelved. He clarified, “James Gunn and I conversed, and it has been decided that Black Adam will not feature in their initial narrative. Nevertheless, DC and Seven Bucks have pledged to continue exploring the diverse avenues through which Black Adam can contribute to upcoming chapters within the expansive DC multiverse.”
