Dwayne Johnson Worked Hard to Be Black Adam

Dwayne Johnson (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Dwayne Johnson said the film Black Adam is a project full of challenges for him. This is his first superhero film, but because it features DC Comic characters that have never been adapted to the big screen.

"Black Adam is not a sequel, not an existing IP familiar to everyone, these characters brought to life for the first time in cinema history," Johnson said at a global online press conference Friday, October 7.

He feels proud to be part of a team that is working hard to make this film an interesting entertainment in the midst of other superhero films. Creating a unique story, says Johnson, is a challenge in a genre that has always reaped huge profits these days.

He admits that it is certainly not easy to bring in new characters, each of whom has a different philosophy. This film introduces the superhero group Justice Society of America, which in its history even appeared earlier than the Justice League.

Justice Society of America includes the characters Hawkman (Aldis Hodge), Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo), Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell) and Dr. Fate (Pierce Brosnan).

Black Adam, he said, is expected to usher in a new era in DC cinema. The film from DC Comics tells the story of a former slave who was given the power of a god and awakens 5000 years later in modern times.

The figure of Dwayne Johnson was widely praised by his co-stars, including Sarah Shahi who plays Adrianna. According to Shahi, the already very popular Johnson is very humble and always wants to share the stage with his co-stars.

If there is a dialogue that would feel better for other characters, said Shahi, Johnson would not hesitate to improve it. For Shahi, Dwayne Johnson is a role model for senior actors.

"He is not selfish at all," said Shahi, quoted by ANTARA.

Shahi plays Adrianna, a fearless freedom fighter on the run who has lived under the suppression of the military occupation of Kahndaq for decades. Adrianna will stop at nothing to protect the people of Kahndaqi, especially her son Amon.

Adrianna is interesting because behind her strong figure, there is a fragile side that shows that the character is not free from fear, but has the courage to get out of the safe zone.

"For me, this character is very interesting and close to everyday life," said Shahi.

Adriana's character has a younger brother named Karim, a warrior who can provide humor in the midst of the most serious missions. Karim is played by Mo Amer, a US-Palestinian comedian who is acting in a superhero film for the first time.

The owner's full name, Mohammed Mustafa Amer, said that every day there was a surprise because everything was a new experience. Besides being able to work with great people, he also has the opportunity to explore Karim's character who is friendly and loves his family, but is dangerous to be disturbed.

Meanwhile, for Aldis Hodge who plays Carter Hall or Hawkman, Black Adam is like a dream come true. "I've always loved comics and superheroes, for me it's a privilege," Hodge said.

On the other hand, Quintessa Swindell, who plays Maxine Hunkel alias Cyclone, said her character represented the search for the identity of a girl who was unique and not entangled with stereotypes that are generally attached to a woman.

"It made me appreciate myself even more," says Swindell. Black Adam is directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and will premiere globally on October 19, 2022.