Dwayne Johnson isn't coming back as Black Adam anytime soon


The Rock says ... so long.
Dwayne Johnson has addressed his future with DC amid major changes for the comic book movie franchise. In a tweet, he confirmed his character of Black Adam will not be part of the "first chapter of storytelling" in the "new DC Universe," which is being spearheaded by James Gunn and Peter Safran.
Johnson just made his DC debut in October's Black Adam, a project that had been in the works for 15 years. The film was set in the DC Extended Universe, a shared universe of movies that began with 2013's Man of Steel.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
But shortly after Black Adam's release, Gunn and Safran were hired to oversee the DC franchise, and it sure seems like their plan is to wipe the slate clean and potentially get rid of everything that came before. After all, Gunn recently confirmed Henry Cavill won't return as Superman, even though Black Adam set him up to come back. A third Wonder Woman film starring Gal Gadot was also canceled.
In his statement, Johnson said his production company and DC "have agreed to continue exploring the most valuable ways Black Adam can be utilized in future DC multiverse chapters," suggesting the door may be open for him to eventually return in a separate film universe.
Still, the statement overall read like Johnson was bidding farewell to the character after only having the chance to play him for one film. "You guys know me, and I have very thick skin," Johnson said, and in a reply, he seemed to acknowledge his effort to steer the future of DC with Black Adam was not a success.
"Gave it a shot," he said. "Win some, lose some."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
The Israeli army's 'tourist hikes' in occupied Golan Heights
Under The Radar 'Provocative' twice-daily tours into territory seized from Syria have quickly sold out
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK
-
The Resistance: Is it finally taking off?
Feature Mass protests erupted across all 50 states during the 'Hands Off!' demonstrations against the Trump administration
By The Week US
-
Loomer: Feeding Trump's paranoia
Feature Trump fires National Security Council officials after the conspiracy theorist attended a meeting in the Oval Office
By The Week US
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wife
speed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top Grammys
Speed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US