The Rock Has Always Dreamed of Playing a Superhero, or a Character Like Black Adam

The Rock has just announced the first details of his new movie, and fans are already on tenterhooks. 

Black Adam will hit theatres on Dec. 22, 2021, with the internet's boyfriend-status actor playing the leading role.

Following the success of the 2019 Shazam!, the new Warner Bros. production will chronicle the adventures of a supervillain whose life story dates all the way back to the mysterious world of ancient Egypt. 

Ready to find out more about the Rock's role in the Black Adam movie?

"Like most kids growing up, I dreamed about being a superhero. Having cool superpowers, fighting for what’s right and always protecting the people," wrote the actor in the emotionally-charged post. 

As he explained, he wanted to become a superhero in order to be able to support the good cause. However, that's not quite what he signed up for with Black Adam.

"As a kid, Superman was the hero I always wanted to be," the Rock added. Unlike his childhood icon, Black Adam is a more complex, prone-to-fault character. 

While Superman is often perceived as the good guy, the one to stand up for the weak, the vulnerable and the defenseless, Black Adam has a slightly different USP to boast. 

Long story short: he is not the textbook example of moral superiority. According to the original DC Comic published in 1975, Black Adam turned evil after his whole family was murdered by a priest, Akh-ton. Akh-ton didn't stop at taking the lives of his beloved, either. Soon after they died, the priest attacked Black Adam, burying him alive. 

According to the story, Black Adam became somewhat grouchy as a result. 

Black Adam and Billy Batson, the main character of Shazam! received their superpowers from the same source. Just like Billy, he was blessed by the same 13th century high priest. 

The recently-released Shazam! does allude to this. In an early scene of the movie, we see Black Adam attain the power of lightning, only to free the seven deadly sins and nearly destroy the whole world. 

However, there's a strong chance that he is isn't 100 percent evil. 

"[Black Adam] [...] is a rebellious, one of a kind superhero, who’ll always do what’s right for the people - but he does it his way, the Rock explained the more intricate aspects of his character. 

"Truth and justice – the Black Adam way," he added. 

This might be a mere, entirely ungrounded hypothesis – warning: it is exactly that – but Black Adam could be the kind of character who violates the rules with the right goal in mind.

Alternatively, there's a – very slim – chance that this statement could reflect the Rock's kind-hearted character, and his willingness to see the best in everyone. 

Warner Bros. issued no public statements to date about whether the forthcoming title is related to Shazam!

Some vouch that it could be an independent title, while others insist that it will contain allusions to the kindergartener-turned-superhero, Billy Batson's wild adventures.

The Rock was cast as the main character of the movie as early as 2014, which Warner Bros. duly announced at the time.

However, the production works were put to a halt soon afterward. As CNN's Sandra Gonzalez reveals, the shooting is set to begin during the summer of 2020. 

Other cast members remain yet to be confirmed.