The world needed a hero… It got Black Adam!
A passion project for Dwayne Johnson over a decade in the making, Black Adam is the first-ever feature film to explore the DC Universe anti-hero – an ancient God freed from his tomb of 5,000 years ready to unleash his power on an unsuspecting modern world.
Ahead of the film’s anticipated global release, Peter Gray was invited to attend the international press conference where Johnson and co-stars Aldis Hodge (“Hawkman”), Noah Centineo (“Atom Smasher”), Sarah Shahi (“Adrianna”), Quintessa Swindell (“Cyclone”), Mohammed Amer (“Karim”), and Pierce Brosnan (“Doctor Fate”) spoke about ushering in a new era of superhero with their film, how it was bringing their characters to life, and working on a set led by Johnson himself.
Are there any attributes of Black Adam that you feel are similar to your own?
Dwayne Johnson: Aside from flying and (that) I’m able to shoot electricity out of my hands (laughs), I would say conviction and passion. Black Adam is a pretty passionate guy about what he believes in, and it was truly an honour to play him and deliver him to the world. But I also want to say and acknowledge (that) not only was it an honour for me to play him and have him come to life, it was an honour to make this film with this group and introduce the JSA (Justice Society of America) to the world. As so many of you know out there, the JSA was the very first superhero group even before the Justice League. So I have to give it up to them.
Aldis, Hawkman is one of DC’s most beloved heroes. How was it to play someone so iconic?
Aldis Hodge: Oh, it was fantastic. Stepping into this being a comic book fan myself, I have a great love for the entire world. When it comes to superheroes, when it comes to JSA, when it comes to DC. DC got me in the game as a kid, so, for me, because I know how much fans really love the rooted nature of who this character is, it was really a privileged responsibility to step into these shoes and to honour what they grew up with (and) what they want to come see.
And, for me, I think it just really sort of reinstalls my belief and faith, and to hope for something. To hope for your own personal dreams, (to) live in your creativity, live in your imagination, because what we did here is truly something magical. You see us up there and we’re working hard, working our butts off, but we are living our dreams.
You can really see that on screen too, the love that you all have for your characters. Noah, how was the transition for you from the young adult romantic lead roles we’ve known you for to becoming Atom Smasher?
Noah Centineo: Man, I think you just approach it like any other role. Really, you know, you do as much as you can to understand who the character is. With Atom’s mastery, he comes from a pedigree of superpowers; his uncle, and his grandfather even being a villain. With that comes expectations. There’s also a sense of privilege, and you bake all of that into who he is. Then you get to show up with this incredible cast and it’s turned into a family. (You) just let it all go and trust everyone around you. That was the easiest part, without a doubt.
Sarah, how exciting was it for you knowing you’re portraying this really strong female character and holding your own, going toe-to-toe with Dwayne?
Sarah Shahi: It’s a real honour to portray Adrianna. A lot of the time you’re just paired up with the strong superhero, but to be able to play the common person, a working man who literally every day is fighting for freedom for choice, that resonates pretty deeply in me. I’m Persian, and everything that’s happening over there right now I’m very closely connected to.
Playing opposite DJ? One of the most impressive things about this man is that he wants everybody to win. And he leads with that. I can’t tell you how many times we were on set and if he had lines that he felt would better serve another character better, he was so selfless in giving it to them. He’s so selfless in sharing the stage with everybody. And I just feel like somebody like him, with his calibre and the power he wields, it’s not normal to be that accessible and to be willing to help others. He truly leads by example with that.
Quintessa, what did you like most about your character and the role Cyclone plays in female empowerment?
Quintessa Swindell: I think, for me, the thing that stuck out the most was how unique she was, and how open (director) Jaume (Collet-Serra) and our producers were to the idea of just making her herself. There wasn’t any stereotype that was attached to this young female character or anything she wasn’t trying to be. It was a young girl who was figuring herself out, and this is the first opportunity she can amplify who she has worked to become. She comes from a lineage of superheroes, and there’s this idea of how can I match those who’ve come before me. So now she’s becoming herself and she’s stepping into her own, and (she) has these fantastic representations of who she wants to be around her, and a newfound one in Black Adam. So it becomes this journey of self-realisation and self-exploration, which really inspired me and just made me want to step into myself even more and embrace who I am fully.
Mo, can you talk about your experience? This is your debut film, so were there aspects of making a superhero film that surprised you?
Mohammed Amer: Every day was a surprise. It was just something different. Working with such a great cast, and the producers and the director and the DP, was just so exciting to come in every day, not knowing that to expect and giving you the freedom to explore the character as well. (My character) Karim is very, very special to me. I think he’s just so loving and caring, but doesn’t want anything to do with what his sister (Adrianna) is doing. I compare him to a bear. He just looks cute and cuddly, but if you mess with him or his family, he’ll take you all out! I think he’s someone who loves his family.
For you Pierce, your entry into the superhero world feels long overdue. Why was Black Adam and the character of Doctor Fate a project that fit you?
Pierce Brosnan: I have wondered for many years (about) a superhero movie, and I think the timing was perfect for me. Doctor Fate met me at a good time in life with (the) years I have on me and the experience of life that I’ve lived. I really enjoyed playing him so, so enormously, and every day was a joy to go to work with my fellow actors here. We did become a family, and Jaume created such a wonderful area for us to all do our best work and fly. Doctor Fate is one of the oldest characters in the pattern of DC Comics. He’s a sorcerer but, first and foremost, he’s a man. He’s Kent Nelson, he’s an archaeologist and his entry into this world came with a sacrifice. This is a man who sees the future, so he sees death and the dying of people, and when you have those kind of secrets in your DNA, as a character, as an actor, you can bring subtext, which is very personal. Doctor Fate is very close to me. I enjoyed playing him enormously.
Dwayne Johnson: The truth is there was no one else on this planet that could have played Doctor Fate, other than Pierce. In so many ways Pierce and Fate are the anchors of the movie.
Black Adam is a complex character that blurs the lines between good and evil. What was the most challenging part for you?
Dwayne Johnson: I think the most challenging part for me (in) making the film was, number one, we all wanted to make a film that was different and unique in this world of (the) superhero genre that has been so wildly successful over the years, and has led our business for over a decade. So, for us, to come and try and create a movie that was disruptive, that was different…there was this narrative that we wanted to usher in a new era in the DC universe. And what that meant was to introduce new characters – seven new characters – to the world, which is not easy to do. But to do that with intrigue and interest and respect to the mythology for the DC fans was a balance we took accountability for. Everyone came to the table and really wanted to make a tremendous movie.
Black Adam is scheduled for release in Australian theatres from October 20th, 2022.
