Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is ambitious when it comes to all his endeavors. From his WWE days to his rise to Hollywood stardom, the renowned personality is known to go all out. His fervor can further be substantiated by how he pushed for a Black Adam film to be made for an entire decade. Another quality that is highly admirable about the famed sensation is that he listens to his fans.
In a recent interview, The Rock also revealed that while he was pushing for his DCEU passion project, he was simultaneously listening to the fans of the franchise for years. On another occasion, while discussing the influences behind the upcoming film, he emphasized how the passionate enjoyers of DC inspired him to tackle the narrative of Black Adam.
The Jumanji alum also affirmed that the fans’ feedback allows him to be informed about what steps to take, especially when it comes to building out a movie or an entire cinematic universe. Therefore, with a vision of a filmmaker, the mind of an entrepreneur, and the skills of an artist, he exudes exemplary salesmanship and knows how to please an audience.
It is no surprise that media analysts and industry experts are looking up to him when it comes to DCEU’s revival.
The Rock Knows The Importance Of Building A Brand
For months, rumors and allusions were being made to Henry Cavill‘s Superman return in Black Adam. Some of these were a by-product of certain statements made by Dwayne Johnson himself.
Honoring Cavill with the title of the definitive Superman of our generation, teasing a fight between the anti-hero and the Metropolis Marvel, comparing the powers of the two, and calling the Mighty Adam an unstoppable force “on this planet” and Superman an unstoppable force “in the universe” — these are some of the few things that added fuel to the fire.
While most fans were still on edge about the plausibility of Henry Cavill’s return to the DCEU, recent confirmations by scoopers within the community seem to point to the validity of the much-speculated Black Adam post-credits scene. When the news broke, fans were quick to shower Dwayne Johnson with praise. After all, he turned what seemed impossible into reality and gave it a tangible shape.
Some recent insider reports have been claiming that it was indeed the Red Notice star that struck a deal with WB about bringing back Henry Cavill into the game. Therefore, having listened to the voices of the fans that relentlessly campaigned for the Enola Holmes star’s comeback, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson proved that he knows how to cater to an audience and potentially develop a brand.
As rightfully pointed out by industry expert Richard Newby in a tweet, The Rock established himself as a “consummate salesman” who knows exactly what to do to please an audience. Take a look:
In the video that was quoted by Newby, the former pro-wrestler was once again teasing the return of Superman, emphasizing that the superhero has been sidelined for too long. This led the writer to point out in his tweet that if we ever get a Justice League vs. Justice Society of America film, it would be all because of Johnson’s never-ending, never-stopping efforts.
The Rock’s Efforts May Bring About A JSA vs. JLA Film
Henry Cavill’s return has several implications. However, even if we put aside such allusions, it must be remarked that Black Adam is introducing us to the Justice Society of America — a superhero collective that predates even the Justice League. The JSA was first introduced in 1940. Therefore, it almost serves as a precursor to the esteemed superhero ensemble most of us are more aware of.
The introduction of the JSA in the DCEU opens up doors for all sorts of possibilities. With characters like Hawkman, Doctor Fate, Atom Smasher, etc., coming into the forefront of the franchise, the future may bring about some intriguing plot points to further expand the cinematic universe. One such premise may even involve a battle between the two superhero teams.
The cards are on the table. The Dwayne Johnson-starrer is allowing the DCEU to expand in a way that’s not only interesting but is further evidence of The Rock’s brilliant craftsmanship. If we do get a movie in the coming years that features the JSA vs. JLA, we’d know who to thank.
While the Baywatch actor has put forward the elements required for the revival of the franchise, it is ultimately up to Warner Bros. Discovery to fruitfully make use of them; careful enough to not repeat the mistakes of the past. If CEO David Zaslav wishes to bring his 10-year DC plan to fruition, then this is an opportunity that must not be wasted.
Only the future will reveal what happens.
Black Adam, starring Dwayne Johnson in the titular role, will make its release on October 21, 2022.
Source: Twitter
