There was a time when mega-movie star, Dwayne Johnson was known as the “Franchise Savior.” The former WWE star helped an on-life-support Fast & Furious race to new box office heights when he joined Fast Five. Then there was G.I. Joe. Johnson came in and rebooted that dying franchise as well for Paramount. Well, just like his alter-ego Black Adam, Johnson has now apparently acted as a destroyer for both his franchise and Shazam!
It’s pretty widely known that Johnson has held disdain, for whatever reason, for the kid-turned-superhero. He reportedly killed an idea in the 2010’s to have one film where Billy Batson would face off against Teth Adam. Johnson wanted it divided into two films and Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema complied.
In 2019, Shazam! was released and was met with critical and audience raves. The modestly budgeted film also did well at the Box Office, bringing in $140.5 million in the United States and Canada, and $225.6 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $366 million.
Not too shabby.
On the other hand, Johnson’s long-awaited passion project was met with dismal reviews from both critics and the audience. The film also tanked at a non-muscular $399 million globally. Better than Shazam!, but the film was expected to do way more.
REELated:
Then of course there was the Henry Cavill debacle. Johnson, wanting to put his stamp on the DCEU and become its center, went around Walter Hamada’s back and convinced execs to bring Cavill backfor a post-credits scene.
And we all know how that went.
Now with an awful $30 million opening weekend, stories are beginning to surface that the Black Adam star muscled in on Shazam! Fury of the Gods, weakening the film and ensuring there will be no Part 3.
According to director David F. Sandberg, the original post-credits scenes was supposed to feature members of the Justice Society, urging Billy to join them. This appeared in The Hollywood Reporter. Sandberg said, “ It fell apart three days before we were going to roll cameras,” forcing him to find alternate characters last minute.
On Tuesday, The Wrap also reported that Johnson blocked the characters, such as Hawkman, Cyclone, and Atom Smasher from appearing in Fury of the Gods. The actor and producer also nixed a potential Levi cameo in Black Adam.
Now, Shazam! star Zachary Levi also confirms Johnson’s meddling.
In an Instagram story Tuesday, Levi shared a post mentioning The Wrap’s reporting, and he added his own commentary: “The truth shall set you free.”
Zachary Levi posted this on his Instagram story.
— Home of DCU (@homeofdcu) March 21, 2023
Two unnamed execs also had this to say:
“Dwayne tries to sell himself as bigger than the movie,” one insider told Thr. “He’s one of the few people who always thinks he’s the most important person in any situation or room. Instead of making a movie, he wants to extend his brand and make a brand centered on himself.”
Another added, “By alienating the established property that his character was born out of, and refusing to integrate with other established characters, [Johnson] systematically crippled two franchises, and has harmed DC in the process.”
We’re not exactly sure why Johnson has so much hate for Shazam! Perhaps, he cannot see himself playing the villain. As more and more stories circulate it seems like Johnson is begin cast to play that role.
We do know that this is yet another DC mess that James Gunn and Peter Safran will have to mop up.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods is currently in theaters. Black Adam is streaming on HBO Max.
The Geek is a working screenwriter, director and screenwriting instructor.
