It hasn’t been long that James Gunn and Peter Safran have been in charge of the newly monikered DCU, however, they sure know how to shake things up in a hurry. According to an exclusive report via The Hollywood Reporter, Gunn and Safran are prepping for a meeting next week with the Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav in which they will officially lay the groundwork and blueprint for DC Studios moving forward. Within that, it appears the duo will look to start with a clean slate as they aim to tear down the original cinematic universe that was set by Zack Snyder, all the way back in 2013 with Man of Steel and beyond.

Within this includes the cancellation of some projects in development such as Wonder Woman 3 with Gal Gadot and Patty Jenkins, a potential Black Adam 2 starring Dwayne Johnson and another Superman film starring Henry Cavill. The report details that director Patty Jenkins, who previously helmed the first two comic book movies starring the Amazonian warrior played by Gadot, handed in her treatment to Gunn and Safran as well as the heads of the Warner Bros. film division and was told that they would not be moving forward with her vision of the character. Suspiciously, Gal Gadot took to Twitter this past Tuesday issuing a thank you to the fans for their support in her casting of the iconic DC Comics character possibly signaling an end for her version of the character. While the latter move is shocking for all involved and fans alike, the move could hypothetically save the cash strapped studio funds as Gadot was set to make $20 million to return as Wonder Woman. Patty Jenkins rate to direct also was set to move to $12 million even amidst coming off of the disappointing sequel, Wonder Woman 1984. 

Additionally, Dwayne Johnson’s character of Black Adam isn’t expected to receive a sequel film revolving around his character with mixed reports whether or not the film actually produced a profit. Black Adam grossed $384 million on a budget that was reported around $200 million. If you also figure the marketing costs for the movie, based on those numbers, it’s highly possible the film did not receive much of a profit despite being led by a box-office draw such as Dwayne Johnson. Additionally, despite much fanfare before and afterwards the release of Black Adam, Henry Cavill’s Superman did show up in a post-credit scene looking toward a return for the character in the DC Universe. Now, the report from THR speaks on Gunn and Safran eyeing a new version of the character, no longer having Cavill in their sights despite the actor going on social media in October speaking to his return as the Kryptonian hero. 

Despite all of this, the additional original heroes left from the Justice League created by Snyder would be the controversial Ezra Miller and the beloved Jason Momoa. The studio is looking to keep Momoa in the fold, though not as the sea-dwelling hero but rather as the antihero, Lobo. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is set to release in December 2023 and by all accounts will wrap up Momoa’s duties as Aquaman before possibly transitioning to the intergalactic, cigar-chomping biker. Miller is still set to star in The Flash, which is based on the famous multi-versal comic run known as, Flashpoint. The film has not officially picture locked, leaving room for possibly more reshoots re-setting the DC Cinematic Universe marking an end for Momoa, Cavill, Gadot, Affleck and Miller under the new leadership.

All of this news aims towards the inevitable that many thought would come with the hiring of Gunn and Safran as the new DC heads: a complete clean slate. While other films such as Shazam! Fury of the Gods and Blue Beetle are upcoming, their lack of interconnectivity leave them on the periphery of what the bigger picture is for the comic book movie landscape being laid out from Warner Bros. Discovery. It’s clear that there are big plans in the works for DC and now with this news, it appears we have to prepare for some goodbyes for some beloved characters. 

There has been much anticipation in waiting to see the unveiling of the structure of James Gunn and Peter Safran as the new heads of DC for Warner Bros. News came just this week from Gunn that the comic book flagship money maker for Warner Bros. that he and Safran are aiming to make everything cohesive within their vision connecting movies, television, video games and animation throughout the universe. However, a new report from Deadline sees that they may be looking at a new (or additional) streaming home for animated content surrounding their heroes and villains.

In an article originally reported from Deadline, Channing Dungey, the Chairwoman of Warner Bros. Television, has alluded to “closing a big deal” with Amazon featuring DC branded content in animation on their streaming platform, Amazon Prime Video. Though she also explained that HBO Max will be the “first stop” for all things DC, it’s interesting to note a deal such as this potentially going through with a company and competitor as big as Amazon, no less.

While it’s hard to imagine any major DC characters synonymous with the brand such as Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman or Green Lantern getting animated foray onto Prime Video, it begs the question, could we see Amazon as a pipeline to popularity for some lesser-known characters getting introduced to a larger audience? There is so much potential and richness of characters within the DC landscape that have yet to be introduced through live-action or animation so this seems like a risk that might be worth taking, especially considering the financial troubles that Warner Bros. Discovery has been reported to have. 

I’m in SHOCK & AWE!! Black Adam is a spectacular display of Force with Electrifying visuals, action, and a powerful score from Lorne Balfe. The Rock was born to play this role as he builds The new era of the DCEU!! From New Line Cinema, Dwayne Johnson stars in the action-adventure “Black Adam.” The first-ever feature film to explore the story of the DC Super Hero comes to the big screen under the direction of Jaume Collet-Serra.

Synopis

In ancient Kahndaq, Teth Adam was bestowed the almighty powers of the gods. After using these powers for vengeance, he was imprisoned, becoming Black Adam. Nearly 5,000 years have passed and Black Adam has gone from man to myth, to legend. Now released, his unique form of justice, born out of rage, is challenged by modern-day heroes who form the Justice Society: Hawkman, Dr. Fate, Atom Smasher and Cyclone.

Review

“Black Adam” single-handedly changes the course going forward as the hierarchy of power in the DC Universe is about to change. under the direction of Jaume Collet-Serra “Black Adam” features an electrifying and powerful performance from Dwayne Johnson as the all-powerful “Man in Black”, the relatively unknown villain of Shazam brings his origin story front and centre as after being in the works for fifteen years Johnson and his team at Seven Bucks/Flynn Co have created one of the best DC superhero movies to date.

The film explores themes of what it means to be heroic or villainous, with shades of grey in between. Teth-Adam is a champion who challenged a tyrant king thousands of years earlier and the Man in Black becomes a fighting force with an appetite for destruction, he is awoken by freedom fighter Adrianna (Sarah Shahi). Still, his reemergence from a desert tomb proves to be both a miracle and a curse for the people who prayed for a saviour to defend them against Intergang, mercenary thugs who’ve been occupying Kahndaq at military levels without any intervention from the outside. Throughout the film we see Teth-Adam’s evolution, transforming the character towards being the hero Kahndaq needs. 

As much as the movie is an origin story for our titular anti-hero “Black Adam”, it is also an origin story and first appearance in the DC Extended Universe for the Justice Society. Following his reemergence Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) has Hawkman (Aldis Hodge), Dr. Fate (Pierce Brosnan), Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell), and Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo) flying from Carter Hall aka Hawkman’s ornate estate as they board their jet and head to kahndaq to stop Teth-Adam before its too late and take him into custody.

Carter Hall/Hawkman is the leader of the Justice Society and can fly with the use of his Nth metal wings and weapons. he sees the world in black and white, regarding who is good vs evil. Aldis Hodge is such a powerful performer.

Perhaps my favourite member and overall DC character is kent Nelson, the original Dr. Fate, he’s easily one of the most powerful heroes in the DC Universe and Pierce Brosnan portrays Nelson’s big-screen debut with gravitas and suave. The most experienced and senior member of the Justice Society, Nelson is the son of an archaeologist, with whom he discovered the tomb of Nabu the Wise, he wields the Helmet of Fate which grants its chosen wearer the ability to see into the future and enhance their magical abilities. However, donning the helmet comes with a price.

The visual effects on Dr. Fate truly enhance his powers making him for me the MVP of the movie.Both Hawkman and Dr. Fate have a somewhat mentor/mentee relationship that is truly the heart and soul of the movie.

The remaining two members of the Justice Society are Cyclone and Atom Smasher. Cyclone aka Maxine Hunkel can generate and control wind and has the ability to create tornadoes. Albert Rothstein aka Atom Smasher has the ability to control his molecules and can grow larger at will. 

Throughout “Black Adam” the audience experience the story through the eyes of archaeologist Adrianna Tomaz and her son Amon Tomaz (Bodhi Sabongui) Adrianna knows the secrets of Ancient Kahndaq and how it all relates to Eternium. Her son takes centre stage showing Teth-Adam the ways of becoming Kahndaq’s hero and his bedroom is full of easter eggs relating to the DC Universe with posters and figures of our favourite Justice League members.

The runtime boasts intense action sequences as “Black Adam” bushes the violence with a high body count and dark humour and the wire and stunt work is mighty impressive. 

Final Thoughts

Thank you Dwayne for listening to the Fans! and for creating an absolute Blast of a movie that’ll single-handedly change the course going forward as The hierarchy of power in the DC universe is about to change!. “Black Adam” is such a thrill ride, a rollercoaster thats pure adrenaline. Make sure you hang around whilst the credits roll.