When is Dwayne Johnson’s Black Adam released in cinemas? Latest news on the DC Comics blockbuster

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is joining the DC Extended Universe as powerful antihero Black Adam – and he’s bringing a few friends.

In recent months, we have learned that the upcoming blockbuster will also see the introduction of the Justice Society to the big screen, a fan favourite team consisting of several (somewhat obscure) heroes.

The latest casting announcement is that Trinkets star Quintessa Swindell will play Cyclone in the movie, a relatively new creation who made their comic book debut in 2006.

As their nickname suggests, Cyclone is able to manipulate wind to create tornados and powerful currents, which will no doubt come in handy when she joins the ranks of the team alongside Noah Centineo’s Atom Smasher.

Here’s everything we currently know about DC’s Black Adam, which is currently in the early stages of production.

When is Black Adam released in cinemas?

Black Adam is currently scheduled for release on 22nd December 2021, but this date could very well be moved in the coming months due to complications stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.

Originally expected to start filming in the summer of this year, cameras are no longer expected to start rolling until early 2021, which wouldn’t give visual effects teams much time to polish those all-important action sequences.

We’ll keep this page up to date with Black Adam release information as it comes in.

What is Black Adam about?

Black Adam is the long-awaited solo movie for one of DC’s most popular antiheroes.

His origin, as told in Jerry Ordway’s 1994 story The Power of Shazam!, reveals Black Adam was born thousands of years ago in the fictional Middle Eastern country of Kahndaq.

Born “Teth-Adam”, son of the ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Ramesses II, he was rewarded with incredible powers bestowed on him by the high priest and wizard, Shazam.

However, when Black Adam is corrupted by the demon Blaze, who brings out a power-hungry side to his personality, Shazam punishes him by stripping him of his powers and sealing them in a scarab.

The character was later resurrected in the present day, initially to serve as a fearsome arch-enemy to Billy Batson (played by Zachary Levi in 2019’s Shazam!), but gradually taking on more antihero qualities as he develops.

View this post on Instagram

The Man in Black ⚡️ Like most kids growing up, I dreamed about being a superhero. Having cool superpowers, fighting for what’s right and always protecting the people. It all changed for me, when I was 10yrs old and was first introduced to the greatest superhero of all time – SUPERMAN. As a kid, Superman was the hero I always wanted to be. But, a few years into my fantasy, I realized that Superman was the hero, I could never be. I was too rebellious. Too rambunctious. Too resistant to convention and authority. Despite my troubles, I was still a good kid with a good heart – I just liked to do things my way. Now, years later as a man, with the same DNA I had as a kid – my superhero dreams have come true. I’m honored to join the iconic #DCUniverse and it’s a true pleasure to become, BLACK ADAM. BLACK ADAM is blessed by magic with the powers equal to SUPERMAN, but the difference is he doesn’t toe the mark or walk the line. He’s a rebellious, one of a kind superhero, who’ll always do what’s right for the people – but he does it his way. Truth and justice – the BLACK ADAM way. This role is unlike any other I’ve ever played in my career and I’m grateful to the bone we’ll all go on this journey together. BLACK ADAM 12.22.21 ⚡️ Huge thank you to my friends, @jimlee and @bosslogic for this first time ever bad ass collaboration.

A post shared by therock (@therock) on Nov 14, 2019 at 9:06am PST

Expect the Black Adam movie to explore this origin story, but that’s not all; in a major addition to the DC Extended Universe, the upcoming blockbuster will also introduce the Justice Society of America.

The superhero team actually predates the Justice League, but aren’t quite as well known due to their location in a parallel universe known simply as Earth-2.

Speaking to Collider, producer Hiram Garcia said: “We are so excited to introduce the Justice Society, especially Hawkman who’s such a beloved character and one of those heroes who’s always meant so much to the DC universe.

“When you take a powerhouse like Black Adam and inject him into this DC cinematic universe you want to make sure you are putting characters around him that can really up the stakes.

“As DJ likes to say, the hierarchy of power in the DC universe really is going to change, so Hawkman, Dr. Fate, Atom Smasher and Cyclone will have their hands full no matter how we choose to have them interact with Black Adam.”

Who is in the cast of Black Adam?

There isn’t a huge amount in the way of casting details just yet, aside from Dwayne Johnson in the lead role.

The former WWE star has been circling the characters of Black Adam and Shazam for many years, ultimately settling on the former due to his unpredictably rebellious nature.

Noah Centineo has also been confirmed as Atom Smasher, a DC Comics superhero capable of manipulating his size and strength, growing up to 60 feet tall at will.

Variety confirmed Aldis Hodge (The Invisible Man) will star as Hawkman in the upcoming blockbuster.

Hawkman appeared in the DC universe in 1940, but until now, hasn’t ever appeared in any films – until Black Adam.

He usually appears with large (artificial) wings which allows him to soar. He is often depicted as human archeologist, Carter Hall – or alien counterpart, Katar Hol.

The Hollywood Reporter later added that Quintessa Swindell (Trinkets) has also been cast in the movie, taking on the role of wind manipulating superhero Cyclone.

Expect more casting announcements soon, particularly as we know more JSA members will be debuting in the film, with The Rock promising in a recent tweet that magical hero Doctor Fate is “coming soon”.

There has been much speculation over which existing DC heroes could appear in Black Adam, with Shazam and Superman among the most heavily rumoured.

Is Black Adam a sequel to Shazam?

Not exactly. Given their comic book history, it stands to reason that the Black Adam and Shazam movie franchises will be relatively closely connected.

However, Black Adam will not serve as a direct sequel to 2019’s Shazam! movie, and it seems that Dwayne Johnson’s antihero won’t be crossing paths with his scarlet-clad nemesis for some time.

Zachary Levi said at CCXP Cologne Convention last summer: “I can say that as far as I know, Black Adam is not going to be in the second Shazam!, because the idea is that they want to go and do a standalone Black Adam movie first.”

“And then it would kind of be, if we do a third Shazam! and a second Black Adam… that’s where we would [meet]. Because he’s like the ultimate bad guy for Captain Marvel / Shazam.”

Is there a Black Adam trailer?

Not just yet. If filming does start in early 2021, we could perhaps expect a teaser trailer next summer.

If you’re looking for something to watch tonight, check out our TV Guide.