Dwayne Johnson, going back to his WWE days, always know how to make an entrance, and Saturday morning was no exception as the action star, fully clad as DC superhero Black Adam, was elevated into Comic-Con’s Hall H as the speakers shook the room to its core.
Adorn around attendees’ necks were Black Adam lightning lights which flicked on when he arrived.
“Hall H, you have been warned. The DC universe will never be the same again,” boomed Johnson.
#BlackAdam Entrance! #SDCC pic.twitter.com/wsdH7lgoQ1
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) July 23, 2022
Said director Jaume Collet-Serra, “I’ve seen the movie and I love it…no more notes.”
Johnson returned to stage in more relaxed summer ware after the Black Adam cast of Aldis Hodge, Noah Centineo and Quintessa Swindell were introduced as part of Warner Bros’ presentation that also included Shazam: Power of the Gods.
“I heard Black Adam was here,” he joked.
The Black Adam team also dropped a new teaser revving up for the pic’s October 21 release date. See it above.
“It has been a long journey filled with passion and grit to push Black Adam along — it has been over 10 years,” Johnson said. In regards to working with Collet-Serra on the project, it’s been five.
“To be here at Comic-Con, Hall H, representing a DC hero, an anti-hero, is a dream come true,” Johnson told the room. “When I started 20 years ago, many moons ago, I would bring movies here and hope people would love it.”
“How can we create something that is fresh and unique… show and create something that’s never been done? My goal is to usher in a new era in the DC universe…What is it like to build out the DC universe with the Justice Society as well,” added Johnson.
“It’s a dream come true to be here” : Dwayne Johnson on being at Comic-Con for #BlackAdam #SDCC pic.twitter.com/DQ3fn6NiqX
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) July 23, 2022
Hodge called his Hawkman, who tracks Black Adam in the film, “The savage, the beast, the warrior.”
“What Carter Hall has been through with the JSA [Justice Society of America]…we started this shi*!” Hodge said. The actor regaled that when Johnson called him with the part, he didn’t believe him. He thought his phone had been hacked. “When he said, ‘Welcome to Black Adam’, that was one of the best moments of my career.”
Aldis Hodge on playing Hawkman in #BlackAdam #SDCC pic.twitter.com/GSqUJtaoBS
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) July 23, 2022
Centineo said about Atom Smasher, another JSA member, “It blew my mind to be part of this universe, Dwayne and Jaume’s creation.”
The actor said that Collet-Serra wanted to bring a “youthful side” to Black Adam with the character of Atom Smasher. “He wants to prove himself as a superhero, a young kid who wants to find his way in life.”
Noah Centineo on joining #BlackAdam as Atom Smasher #SDCC pic.twitter.com/I3ispdxGso
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) July 23, 2022
Swindell shared her experience playing Cyclone and choked up, “We’re two young people experiencing our youth. We’re throw into this mix with our powers, and where we can exert and identity with them more. That’s a journey in and of itself.”
Johnson said that “Pierce Brosnan sends his love, he’s here in spirit,” about the Bond alum being M.I.A. in Hall H.
A small boy asked Johnson whether Kevin Hart was jealous of the Rock when he got the part of Black Adam.
“Yes, Kevin Hart gets, jealous, but you’re already taller than Kevin Hart,” answered Johnson.
Dwayne Johnson responds to if Kevin Hart was jealous he didn’t get the part of #BlackAdam #SDCC pic.twitter.com/WqWUa1eIpk
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) July 23, 2022
As far as who would win in a fight Black Adam or Superman, Johnson says, “pound for pound they’re close.”
“But that depends on who is playing Superman” said Johnson. (Unfortunately, Henry Cavill did not show up in Hall H).
Dwayne Johnson response to who would win the fight between Superman or Black Adam #BlackAdam #SDCC pic.twitter.com/uRZCj19CTL
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) July 23, 2022
The footage showed Viola Davis’ Amanda Waller making a cameo. Black Adam is an indestructible guy against missiles and bullets. He is also angry, and reawakened, and it’s up to the Justice Society to quell him.
Explorers enter an ancient tomb and activate a magic symbol, which brings a cloaked figure crashing to the earth before them. When the soldiers fire upon him, he uses his powers to kill them all and blasts out of the cave, destroying two helicopters along the way. “My powers are not a gift, but a curse born out of rage.”
The footage goes on to introduce the Justice Society — Atom Smasher, Hawkman, Cyclone and Dr. Fate — as they try to detain Black Adam before he can cause more destruction. “I was a slave before I died,” Black Adam says.
Also missing from Warner Bros Hall H was any tease for 2023’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom and The Flash. The studio still has the virtual DC FanDome coming up, so we’re likely to see more there.