In a recently released clip from his Peacock show Hart to Heart, Kevin Hart sits down with Dwayne Johnson to discuss the lack of a sequel for Black Adam. Hart questions why, despite a successful opening and a strong fan base, the film didn’t receive a follow-up. Johnson explains that the movie got caught in a whirlwind of new leadership and was negatively impacted by Covid-related delays. He emphasizes the challenges that arise when a company undergoes frequent changes in leadership, leading to decisions that may not align with creative and philosophical visions.
Last December, Johnson shared a conversation he had with DC Studios co-head James Gunn on social media, revealing that Black Adam wouldn’t be part of DC’s initial plans. However, Johnson mentioned that DC and Seven Bucks agreed to explore future opportunities for the character in the DC multiverse. He acknowledged that these decisions were made by James and the DC leadership based on their creative vision.
This came after the controversial decision by Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav to cancel the nearly-completed Batgirl film, which had a budget of $60 million-$70 million.
During his conversation with Hart, Johnson reflects on how Black Adam was caught in the web of new leadership. He considers it one of the biggest mysteries in the industry, questioning why the film wasn’t included in the new DCU despite its positive performance and the challenges it faced. Johnson mentions that the film didn’t suffer significant financial losses, and he wonders why it wasn’t given more opportunities considering its potential for growth and the diverse superhero portfolio it offered.
Johnson expresses his acceptance of the situation, acknowledging that he and Hart always prioritize the audience’s interests. They consider both the economic bottom line and the opportunity to create fresh content for their fans. However, when decisions are made without considering these factors, it becomes more challenging for them. Johnson compares it to sports, where new team owners often want to make changes to the franchise, regardless of its previous success.
“You know what it is? It’s like new ownership coming in and buying an NFL team going, ‘Alright. Not my head coach. Not my quarterback. Doesn’t matter how many times we won the Super Bowl. Doesn’t matter how many rings we got. I’m going with somebody else.'”
