DC Films has released the first trailer for Black Adam, a new anti-hero movie in the DC Extended Universe starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as the titular not-superhero. The trailer goes to great lengths to reiterate that, despite the character having super strength, super endurance, and the ability to fly, Black Adam is not just some simple riff on Superman. Rather, Black Adam is edgier and morally gray because he kills people. How do we know he kills people? Because he says he does and then he kills somebody.
The trailer also reflects Black Adam’s tragic origins. He was a slave who was “reborn a god” when his son sacrificed his life to save him. With this chip on his shoulder, Black Adam is ready to just do whatever he feels like with his powers. On one hand, that sounds like a bold twist for a “superhero” movie, but on the other hand, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been creating movies with superheroes who face minimal or no consequences for their actions for years.
In any case, Pierce Brosnan is in the movie as Justice Society of America member Doctor Fate, which might be Oscar-worthy in itself. Fellow JSA members include Noah Centineo as Atom Smasher, Quintessa Swindell as Cyclone, and Aldis Hodge as Hawkman. If you’re a DC person, there’s a lot to be excited about in the Black Adam trailer.
Black Adam will arrive in theaters on October 21, 2022.
