DCU is officially happening. After Gunn and Safran’s announcements, it is clear that DC Studios is all geared up to build a new world envisioned by the new co-CEOs. Chapter one of DCU will begin with a Superman film that will not see Henry Cavill as a cast member. However, controversies continue to soar sky-high about movies that are no longer a part of DCU Chapter 1.
Black Adam, which debuted on Oct. 21 2022, flopped with a $391 million worldwide total against a $195 budget plus $40 million in reshoots, thereby terminating the Cavill Superman period and putting a halt to any plans for future excursions for the lightning bolt-wielding antihero. Cavill split ways with his manager, Johnson’s ex-wife Dany Garcia, earlier this year, but a source claims it had nothing to do with the DC controversy and that she is still a strategic consultant to the actor.
Dwayne Johnson’s relationship with WB comes to an end
After the failure of Black Adam, WB severed its ties with Johnson as Black Adam. It was confirmed after Johnson penned down an emotional adieu to the character, and wished Gunn a farewell and luck for future endeavors. Johnson’s relationship with WB was already fraying when Johnson sought a producing credit on the animated picture DC League of Super-Pets, which debuted in July 2022, but received minimal promotion.
The actor also insisted on advertising Teremana, his tequila brand for the New York premiere of Black Adam, given that the film was PG-13. A source revealed that Johnson’s demands were exceeding his returns.
The source adds, “Dwayne went around everyone, which didn’t sit well,” even though the filming took place during a power vacuum and a very volatile time for DC. No official leader was heading the franchise as Walter Hamada was preparing for his exit from DC. They were followed by new heads, Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy, who let Cavill make a cameo in Black Adam.
Dwayne Johnson is willing to join the DCU
In response to Dwayne Johnson’s tweet declaring his exit as Black Adam, Gunn wrote, “Love the Rock, and I’m always excited to see what he and Seven Bucks do next. Can’t wait to collaborate soon,”
Even if Dwayne Johnson’s plan for the character isn’t moving ahead, the actor is still interested in returning to the DC Universe under the direction of James Gunn and Peter Safran. The Rock doesn’t appear to mind the shift in the management.
The Rock expressed his admiration for James Gunn and his vision for DC, and he is considering how to move his character’s tale forward. While Dwayne Johnson’s Black Adam might be absent from the first few chapters of James Gunn’s new DCU, the WWE champion has indicated that he may return as Teth-Adam in the future. Given the fact that many movies or characters that did not make an appearance in chapter one might be revealed as a film or show for the upcoming chapters, Gunn and Safran, who were suggested by De Luca, have the WBD’s complete support.
Batgirl filmmakers Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah told Variety that they are open to working with Warner Bros. in the future, proving that no Hollywood connection is ever really severed. Maybe Johnson and DCU can work their way to continue collaborating.
Source: Variety
