After the success of Shazam, Joker, DC are finally moving forward with Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Black Adam, a movie based on the Anti Superhero and arch-nemesis of Shazam. The Rock took to social media releasing the first poster with his super-jacked muscles and release date announced December 22, 2021.
Dwayne Johnson was handed the role of longtime Shazam nemesis Black Adam. Back in 2014, during the first round of casting for Shazam. The idea was scrapped out by filmmakers as DC wants more of a light-hearted approach. The movie is getting more buff than any usual project due to the social activity of Johnson himself about getting into fighting shape for the movie via Instagram.
So what, who is Black Adam that made the megastar Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson wait since 2014?
Black Adam is a fictional character introduced by DC Comics. Black Adam has been both hero and villain over his lifespan which makes it an exciting character in the comic world. The character has been known for The First wielder of magic and the first champion of the Wizard Shazam. The only villain that believes in maintaining peace but by his own rules. He despises those who would hurt and enslave others for greed, power, self-satisfaction.
Black Adam Origins in Comics
Black Adam Real name is given by his father Ramses II is Teth-Adam. The Young Teth-Adam was the prince of Kahndaq(fictional) place in ancient Egypt. Shazam (wizard) serves as a high priest to Ramses II (Black Adam’s father). As the wizard grew older, he sought a champion worthy to inherit his powers and he chooses Teth Adam. While Shazam could give his powers to adam, his daughter Blaze made a deal with the god Set. Adam being blessed with the power of six Egyptian gods: Shu, Heru, Amon, Zehuti, Aton, and Mehen rather than all of shazam powers.
“Shazam,” as spoken by adam he does not draw all power from the wizard. For centuries, Mighty Adam used his amazing abilities to protect Egypt from evil. Eventually, Adam became a tyrant towards Kahndaq. He became corrupted by his powers and as discovered by Shazam he unleashed a powerful spell. This spell strip-down adam form all of the powers and the wizard trapped Adam’s soul and powers within a powerful scarab. Which caused Teth Adam’s age to rapidly catch up with him and eventually, he became a dried corpse. In death, the Adam was referred to as “Khem-Adam” (“Black Adam“).
Modern Era Black adam origins
Fast forward thousands of years, Rameses II’s tomb discovered by orders of the Sivana Federation. The tomb consists of Black Adam’s de-powered body where the wizard Shazam kept Black Adam’s powers. Theo adam after discovering that he is the descendant of Black Adam envokes powers within the tomb by speaking the name “Shazam” and became possessed by the soul of Black Adam.
Black Adam Superpowers
When Teth-Adam/Theo Adam says the magic word “Shazam,” he envokes the magical powers derived from the ancient Egyptian gods.
Every word in “SHAZAM” referred to as the magical power of gods.
‘S’ stands for the god Shu, a deity that imbues him with incredible endurance and the ability to survive nearly every kind of counterattack.
‘H’ represents the speed of Heru, which enables him to fly faster. He’s so fast that he once loaned Heru’s power to The Flash himself.
‘A’ signifies the power of Amon, which enables super strength, able to easily bend steel, punch through walls, produce powerful shockwaves by clapping his hands,.
‘Z’ stands for the knowledge and wisdom of Zehuti, which gives him a level of intelligence and he can also speak multiple languages and hypnotize people.
‘A’ delivers the force of Aton, enabling Adam to wield thunderbolts helps him in using the lightning bolt as a weapon.
‘M’ represents the fortitude of Mehen, giving Adam boundless courage and the ability to rapidly heal in battle.
Weakness
Magical Vulnerability: Black Adam is Vulnerable to some magic.
Lightning: Only a Significant type of Lightning can affect Adam and change back to his original form or Theo Adam.
Why Dwayne Johnson “The Rock” chose Black Adam Over Shazam?
Black Adam like any other tyrant believes he is the right person to lead humanity. It seems Johnson recognizes the darkness in Black Adam’s character. The Rock passed on Shazam and chooses his archnemesis. Due to a complicated history, his background as a slave, and his future as a conflicted demigod. Also, Johnson is very fascinated to play a dark character without damaging his image. So he chose a character, Black Adam which has been both hero and villain over his entire life. Fortunately, he shows exactly a complexity that broadens him into exactly the kind of man Dwayne Johnson wants to portray.
How Black Adam is different from Shazam?
The first and original champion of the wizard is Black Adam but he turns to the dark side. The wizard stripped him of his powers, which resulted in Teth Adam’s age rapidly catch up with him, and eventually, he became a dried corpse. He was consumed his power to corrupt his ideals and desires.
Black Adam what we call an Anti superhero as he despises those who would hurt and enslave others for greed, power, self-satisfaction. He dedicated to doing everything he can to make sure that justice reigns supreme and oppression is eliminated.
He primarily focuses on protecting his home, Kahndaq rather than keeping the entire world safe. Both in the past and the present, he’s overthrown the governments in that country. So, he can rule over the nation in a way he sees fit, which usually means killing anyone he believes to be a threat to the Kahndaqians without providing a trial or due process. Black Adam also fulfills the foil role nicely by showing what would happen if Billy were to be corrupted by his powers.
Shazam is Quite different from Black Adam, he protects everyone and believes in the justice system of the governments. Shazam is the second successor of the white-bearded wizard. Recently, we have seen a solo movie that is well appreciated by the audiences. Shazam referred to as the superhero to protect people against the evil dark forces.
Black Adam Rivals
As we mentioned earlier, Black Adam’s primary enemy is Billy Batson, a.k.a. Captain Marvel/Shazam. Regarding a potential battle with Superman, as seen in comics. Henry Cavill a.k.a. Superman also teased a confrontation on social media numerous times about potential battles with Black Adam. Again, though, it’s worth reminding that his fights with heroes in the modern era aren’t because he wants to kill them but because they’re interfering with his activities.
Why should we watch Black Adam?
You’ll be experiencing a new adventure as it’s the first time well be seeing Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson in a superhero movie. This is probably the biggest and most ripped that Dwayne Johnson has been in all of his careers. Johnson demonstrated his dedication to the role and the movie.
Black Adam films in July and gets released on Dec. 22, 2021.
