Dwayne Johnson faces social media criticism over Black Adam anniversary

On the four-year anniversary of the film Black Adam, social media users have revisited Dwayne Johnson’s previous ambitions for the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). A resurfaced clip from the movie's press tour has gone viral, showing Johnson pitching the inclusion of Barry Keoghan’s Joker in a potential sequel.

Black Adam grossed approximately $393.4 million worldwide upon its 2022 release. While considered a commercial disappointment at the time due to its high production costs, adjusted for inflation, the figure exceeds $452 million. Analysts suggest the film's earnings could have reached $500 million had it received a release in China, where Johnson maintains significant popularity.

Johnson’s previous efforts to reshape the DC hierarchy, which included plans for a Black Adam versus Superman confrontation, were ultimately superseded by the formation of DC Studios under James Gunn and Peter Safran.