DC’s Black Adam was unveiled in a New York premiere at AMC Empire 25 in Manhattan on Wednesday (October 12) night. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson led the arrivals at the premiere of the superhero flick 15 years in the making, wearing a bright red double-breasted jacket and matching trousers that showed off his buff physique. The 50-year-old actor was joined by co-stars Sarah Shahi (Isis) and Quintessa Swindell (Cyclone), who hit the red carpet in floor-length gowns. The film also stars Aldis Hodge as Hawkman, Noah Centineo as Atom Smasher, Marwan Kenzari as Sabbac and Pierce Brosnan as Doctor Fate.
The film stars Dwayne Johnson as the titular DC antihero Black Adam, who has been imprisoned for 5,000 years before being freed into modern times. The synopsis reads: “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 free, 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.” Directed by Spanish director Jaume Collet-Serra (Jungle Cruise, Orphan), Black Adam is the 11th film in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU).
Talking to The Hollywood Reporter on the red carpet, Johnson said of putting his anti-hero suit for the first time, “I just took a look in the mirror — it was a very humbling moment because I fought so hard for this movie to get this movie made, and keep it on track. Fifteen long years, and here we are. Before I walked out of my trailer on day one, I was grateful: Thank you, God; thank you, universe; let’s go to work. I go on set, I go to meet our director, Jaume Collet-Serra, I start talking to him about the scene, and then I look up. When I look up about 20 feet away, all the JSA [Justice Society of America], all the actors are in their costumes, all standing there, walking towards me and Jaume. I was blown away. I will never forget that moment, because in that moment everything crystalized.”
At the #BlackAdam premiere, @TheRock talks about the first time he saw himself in his superhero suit alongside the other heroes of the JSA pic.twitter.com/TVaSp6DzLV
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) October 13, 2022
“This is why, if you believe in something you’re so passionate about, stay on course,” Johnson continued of his commitment to the project. “People are going to try to deviate you from it — stay on course, stay on course, stay on course, and keep fighting for something if you believe in it. I fought and then all of a sudden I see the JSA. That’s the reason why. I’m lucky to have them, I’m very lucky to have those actors.”
Black Adam opens in theaters on Friday, October 21. See photos from the stars at the red carpet premiere below:
