Director Secured For DC’s ‘Shazam!’ Sequel ‘Black Adam’

Disney’s Jungle Cruise director Jaume Collet-Serra has been confirmed to helm DC’s upcoming film Black Adam. This will make the second collaboration between Collet-Serra Dwayne Johnson after filming with him for Jungle Cruise. Black Adam will be offshoot film of Shazam!, which was released this April, and will develop more screen time to the character of Black Adam, one of Shazam/Captain Marvel’s most recognizable antagonists since his inception in 1945.

Black Adam’s origin story details how he, as an Egyptian prince, was bestowed the same powers as Shazam by the Wizard of the same name, who hoped to appoint Adam as his successor. However, Adam became corrupted by these power bestowed upon him and was ultimately banished into the farouter limits of the universe. This origin story follows a similar plot line to the one seen with Dr. Sivana in the Shazam! film, which was itself adapted from the New 52 reboot origin in which Black Adam was the villain. Both follow the premise of a character who initially saw themselves as the chosen one but used their powers for dark, self-centered purposes. 

Collet-Serra has directed other popular films such as The Commuter and Run All Night starring Liam Neeson, and The Shallows featuring Blake Lively. This news was reported by The Hollywood Reporter.