Dwayne Johnson Talks 'Black Adam' and Why He Wanted to Play the Character
Moviefone speaks with Dwayne Johnson about ‘Black Adam’ and why he wanted to play the character. “Because he represented so many characteristics that I have.”
Opening in theaters on October 21st is the new ‘Black Adam,’ which is based on characters from DC Comics and was directed by Jaume Collet-Serra (‘Jungle Cruise’).
The new movies stars Dwayne Johnson as Black Adam, an anti-hero from the ancient city of Kahndaq who awakens in present day after five thousand years of imprisonment.
He soon draws the attention of the Justice Society of America including Hawkman (Aldis Hodge) and Dr. Fate (Pierce Brosnan) and must team-up with them in order to stop a threat more powerful than Adam himself.
In addition to Johnson, Hodge and Brosnan, the cast also includes Noah Centineo as Atom Smasher, Quintessa Swindell as Cyclone, Viola Davis as Amanda Waller, and Sarah Shahi as Adrianna Tomaz.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Dwayne Johnson in-person to talk about his work on ‘Black Adam,’ why fans should be excited for the movie, and why Black Adam was the right super hero for him to play.
Dwayne Johnson as Black Adam in New Line Cinema’s action adventure 'Black Adam,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
You can read our full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Dwayne Johnson, Aldis Hodge, Pierce Brosnan, Noah Centineo, Quintessa Swindell, Sarah Shahi, Mohammed Amer.
Moviefone: To begin with, what would you say to your fans and DC Comics fans to get them pumped-up and ready to see this movie?
Dwayne Johnson: Oh, get ready because we are going to deliver something I think that you are already anticipating. I think right now they are hearing rumblings that the movie is pretty good.
They're hearing rumblings about some other things that might be happening in the movie. They're hearing rumblings about maybe somebody is joining us in this movie. They're hearing a lot of rumblings.
So, I would say get your popcorn, get to the theater, the biggest, most immersive theater you can, but also know this because we as actors, we sell our movies. Get to the movies, you got to see it on the biggest screen.
I put all I had into this movie, and this has been a 10 plus year push, fight and journey to get it to this place where we could take something that I love, and I love the DC universe. I like Marvel and all those guys are my buddies.
But I love DC and this opportunity that we have to expand the DC Universe, introduce five new beloved superheroes, or four and one anti-hero, it’s just a great opportunity. So, I hope that fans, when going to their theater, I hope they feel the passion and the fight that went into this in ‘Black Adam.’
Dwayne Johnson as Black Adam in New Line Cinema’s action adventure 'Black Adam,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
MF: Finally, I know it took a long time for you to get this movie made, and I’m sure you have been offered other super heroes to play over the years. Why was Black Adam the right character for you to portray on screen?
DJ: Because he represented so many characteristics that I have. Now, what I mean by that because that's a tough one for me to say, is just that I have reached a point in my life right now as I sit and talk to you where I'm confident in who I am.
No one can tell me, "Hey, you can't be like that. You have to walk like this, talk like this. Don't call yourself “The Rock.” You can't talk about pro wrestling. You're too big, go lose weight." All this stuff that I heard when I first got to Hollywood.
So, I'm at a point now in my life where I feel so confident about my steps, and I feel so present with everyone I talk to, like you and anyone. And Black Adam is that way. He's lived a life. He is confident. He steps with purpose and with passion, deep passion.
Also, he does have great empathy and he does care about people who he loves, like I do. Now, if you mess with him, that's a problem. You mess with me, that's a problem. I'll handle it. I might smile a little bit before I handle it, but it's a difference.
Dwayne Johnson stars as Black Adam in New Line Cinema’s action adventure 'Black Adam.'
