The Illuminerdi got our eyes on a few pages of the latest draft of Warner Bros’ script for Black Adam.
Teth-Adam may not be a household name quite yet, but that will change in December of 2021 if Dwayne “The Rock”” Johnson has anything to say about it. Teth-Adam, also known as Black Adam is a dark predecessor to Shazam, his arch-nemesis. They share the same powerset, and Black Adam is far more ruthless and brutal in battle. He genuinely has the potential to become the strongest being in the DC Extended Universe, and he’s not alone.
We were recently able to analyze an older casting breakdown, as well as a few pages of a recent draft of Adam Sztykiel’s script for Black Adam. These script pages confirmed the inclusion of Cyclone, Dr. Fate, Hawkman, Atom Smasher, and Adrianna in the film. Black Adam has a long and complicated history with the Justice Society of America, making them the perfect team to include in this film, which is not expected to include Zachary Levi’s Shazam.
We can confirm previous reports that Dr. Fate will make his DCEU debut in Black Adam. Along with Hawkman, Hawkgirl, Cyclone, and Atom Smasher, will also make appearances in the film as members of the Justice Society of America. Finally, we can confirm that Adrianna Tomaz will be a significant character in the story, according to the script. Fans of Black Adam and the original Shazam Filmation series may recognize the character better known as, Isis. We don’t expect DC to retain the source material’s name for the woman who would become Black Adam’s wife, the Egyptian goddess of nature. However, audiences will feel her presence in the upcoming DC Comics adaptation.
Black Adam Script Preview
Realizing that the portion of the script that we were able to analyze is not necessarily the final draft of the film, we would like to share how the characters were depicted and how they interacted. While the characters and story that we see on the big screen someday may ultimately look quite different, this information provides intriguing insight into the direction of the project and these beloved characters.
Adrianna Tomaz will be a significant character in the story, according to the script. Fans of Black Adam and the original Shazam Filmation series may recognize the character better known as, Isis. We don’t expect DC to retain the source material’s name for the woman who would become Black Adam’s wife, the Egyptian goddess of nature. However, audiences will feel her presence in the upcoming DC Comics adaptation.
The sections of the script which we had access to consisted of two separate scenes, the first of which featured Black Adam, Adrianna Tomaz, and her son Aziz, a new character created for the film. Black Adam behaves in an unrefined Machiavellian manner in those domestic scenes, promoting violence and destruction to Aziz, a young boy. Black Adam has recently awaken from a long slumber and the scene leans heavily into the fish-out-of-water humor.
Aziz is similarly abrasive, claiming that all the kids in his class are “assholes” when his mother tells him to go play with his friends. He seems like a bit of a loner, likely due to the lack of his unnamed and deceased father. Since Adrianna is not a mother in the source material, his behavior and quick tongue have no precedent. This radical change to her backstory ensures that Aziz will be integral to her character, and by extension Black Adam’s.
RELATED: WARNER BROS TO STOP PRODUCTION ON THE BATMAN DUE TO PANDEMIC CONCERNS
Adrianna Tomaz is a strong and proud middle eastern woman, a stark departure from her backstory as a slave in the pages of DC’s ongoing 52 series, as well as her original backstory in the Filmation series, “The Secrets Of Isis.” Despite the change to her backstory, her behavior is quite on brand. She’s a brave and fearless woman, starkly opposed to violence and strong enough to stand beside Teth-Adam.
Adrianna mentions that Black Adam previously destroyed a militia after appearing out of seemingly nowhere. He expresses his intent to return to a cemetery, the last place he remembers, and Adrianna leads the way. There is clearly an amnesia element at play in the violent story, a trope often seen in this genre.
The second scene that we were privy to, sees Atom Smasher, Hawkman, and Dr. Fate, welcoming Maxine Hunkel, better known as Cyclone, to the Justice Society of America. Hawkman, AKA Carter Hall, seems to be leading recruitment for the superteam. The casting breakdown previously called for an individual with enough size and power to go toe-to-toe with The Rock, so expect to see Black Adam and Hawkman square up at some point.
Dr. Fate doesn’t have much to say in the pages that we previewed unfortunately, and we still cannot confirm which version of the immensely powerful sorcerer will appear at this time. Meanwhile, Atom Smasher will apparently be a love interest to Cyclone, as opposed to Stargirl from the comics. He displays the kind, warm nature that Albert Rothstein is synonymous with.
RELATED: BLACK ADAM MOVIE ADDS CYCLONE TO ITS JSA ROSTER: EXCLUSIVE
Maxine Hunkel, granddaughter of the original Red Tornado’s motormouth is put on full display, as she goes on not one but two fanboy rants about Dr. Fate. Her character is known for being extremely talkative, and it’s good to see that aspect is intended to carry over into this film.
I think it’s important to clarify that this version of the script may not reflect the finalized film. That being said, this information does provide fans with insight into what the interactions, behavior, and tone, of these classic DC characters might look like in Black Adam, which is exciting no matter how you slice it.
Are you excited to see Black Adam hit theaters next year? Is this the right time to introduce the Justice Society of America into the DCEU? Let us know in the comments below or on our social media!
Art by BossLogic
