While comic book readers may know that Shazam (or Captain Marvel, as he was formerly known) and Black Adam have a history going back decades, cinema-going audiences would be forgiven for having no idea the duo even know each given how totally separate Dwayne Johnson‘s Black Adam movie was from Shazam!, with sequel Shazam! Fury of the Gods likewise avoiding any connection with The Rock’s anti-hero.
Recommended VideosThis wasn’t always the case, though. We know that Fury of the Gods filmmakers reached out to Johnson offering him a walk-on part as Black Adam, except he refused. Now, we’re learning that The Rock returned the favor by blocking Zachary Levi from making a post-credits cameo as Billy Batson in Black Adam. This bombshell was dropped by The Wrap in an expose on what reportedly really went down on DC’s ill-fated franchise-starter.
The Rock didn’t allow Zachary Levi to cameo in a post credit for ‘BLACK ADAM’
(https://t.co/hTA4m7I00a) pic.twitter.com/Z8lqTrQu8l
— Home of DCU (@homeofdcu) March 21, 2023Ever since Black Adam fell flat on its face, Johnson has gone from the DC universe’s potential savior to the fandom’s favorite punching bag (only in the cybersphere, of course). So naturally, this news that he prevented such a fan-pleasing moment from occurring is doing his reputation precisely zero favors.
The Rock when he has to be onscreen for 5 seconds with the nemesis of the character he is playing: pic.twitter.com/EJbeuMCcp2
— Izaaan💊 (@IzaansVr) March 21, 2023it’s crazy how a few months ago we were all praising this man thinking he was saving the DCEU 💀 https://t.co/Nvwdv7BjV7
— nova ⭒ (@novariaster) March 21, 2023I’m sorry but that decision is gonna be his biggest regret
— Allison the disney diva (@Daviesallison1A) March 21, 2023The old Dwayne Johnson vs. Dave Bautista debate is rearing its (clean-shaven) head once more…
So this article basically confirms what all of us thought right? That The Rock was on an ego stroking marathon right? This is why Batista imho is a more talented actor cuz he has range and isn’t an egotistical dude.
— Jazzyruf. Kang Era (@Jazzyruf) March 21, 2023Although, considering Levi has made himself a bit of a controversy magnet himself in recent weeks, some aren’t all that fussed by this development.
I also do not like Zachary Levi https://t.co/MJK0lwBqKy pic.twitter.com/gvKXTHq3IQ
— YG (@YGYG111) March 21, 2023Others are even already banking on James Gunn recasting both Shazam and Adam in the rebooted DCU.
Why did Hamada give this guy all the control 💀
Hopefully we get Shazam vs Black Adam in the DCU with new actors
— Diana | Wonder Woman Animated World (@WonderWoman8223) March 21, 2023Was the Rock afraid to lose on camera? That’s the bold claim some are making.
I guess Shazam was reminding him that his character was a villain, so he wanted to keep them apart. He knew that if they ever faced each other, he was going to have to lose.
— ashbanner (@ashbanner82) March 21, 2023The whole convoluted situation is probably summed up best by the following comment, from someone who seems to take after Wonder Woman in the wisdom department:
Too many cooks in the kitchen. And they all can't cook. https://t.co/xSoRVnfjtb
— 𝐆𝐎𝐃𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐖𝐀𝐑 (@GoddessOfWvr) March 21, 2023With Fury of the Gods falling even harder than Black Adam at the box office, the odds of a Shazam 3 happening seem very low indeed. We’ll probably never get that Johnson/Levi showdown in a DC movie, then, although maybe it could’ve happened if a certain Rock hadn’t blocked the way.
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