Dwayne Johnson recently discussed his brief time in the DC Extended Universe, where he starred in Black Adam. The actor said he had “a great time” working on the film even though the project did not unfold as planned. Originally, Johnson was expected to play a larger role in the expanding DC franchise. However, the weak box office performance of Black Adam and the leadership change under James Gunn and Peter Safran led the studio to move in a new direction. Johnson said he holds no resentment about the outcome and remains grateful for the experience.
Speaking on The Hollywood Reporter’s “Awards Chatter” podcast, filmed at Chapman University in Orange County, Johnson discussed his career path from professional wrestling to Hollywood. He talked about the lessons learned in the ring and how those experiences shaped his approach to acting. When asked if his background as a wrestler influenced his performance as Teth-Adam, also known as Black Adam, Johnson said, “I feel like not only my time as a heel in the ring in wrestling, but it was almost like the anti-hero that eventually the Rock became. I loved making Black Adam. We had a great time. Loved creating those characters and introducing other characters, as well, in that universe. Had a great time. Wish that universe well. And on to others.”
Black Adam fell short at the box office. It earned $393 million worldwide on a reported production budget ranging from $190 million to $260 million. Critics gave it poor reviews, with a 39 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes and frequent complaints about a thin plot and limited character development. Audiences were much more receptive, giving it an 87 percent approval rating, but that support did not change the studio’s decision to end Johnson’s run in the franchise.
Plans for a sequel were once in motion, teased by the first film’s post-credits scene that hinted at a confrontation between Johnson’s character and Henry Cavill’s Superman. When Gunn and Safran assumed control of DC Studios, they overhauled the direction of the brand under their new slate titled Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. As part of the changes, Black Adam 2 was canceled. Johnson later confirmed he would not appear in that chapter but said he remained open to returning to the DC universe if the opportunity came up.
Since the end of the project, Johnson has kept a full schedule. His career has expanded to include both major productions and more serious, dramatic roles. He told interviewers that he doesn’t want to be “pigeonholed” into a single type of character. His performance in A24’s The Smashing Machine was widely praised and received one of the longest standing ovations at the 2025 Venice Film Festival. Johnson continues to balance large-scale movie franchises with more demanding roles that test his range. Even without Black Adam, he remains one of Hollywood’s most active and visible actors.
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English (US) · 