The DC slate is already jam-packed, and the number of projects becomes considerably more substantial when you take into account films that haven't seen much progress recently. One such example of that is the Black Adam solo movie, which has managed to keep Dwayne Johnson signed on as the titular villain (or anti-hero?) for quite some time, but has also provided us with few other concrete developments. Now it appears that has changed in a fairly significant way, as the project seems to be eyeing Adam Sztykiel to tackle its script.
A new report from The Tracking Board indicates that the upcoming Black Adam solo movie has lined up screenwriter Adam Sztykiel to pen its screenplay. Primarily known for his work in the comedy realm, Sztykiel's most prominent on-screen credits are lighter films like Due Date and Made of Honor, rather than big-budget blockbusters. On television, he is known for his work on NBC's Undateable. At the moment, there is no word as to the direction in which he intends to take the overarching story of the Black Adam solo movie, so that seems like one of the next orders of business for everyone involved.
The hiring of someone like Adam Sztykiel could give us a much better understanding of what Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment want to accomplish with the Black Adam movie. Given his experience in the world of comedy, one could reasonably assume that he may want to take advantage of Dwayne Johnson's well-established comedic chops and go for a lighter tone than some of the previous DC films. Perhaps not a full-blown comedy, but something a bit funnier -- think Ant-Man or Thor: Ragnarok in the Marvel Extended Universe.
This news comes fresh off of the recent hiring of Chuck star Zachary Levi to portray Black Adam's more heroic rival, Shazam, and both announcements make sense when we pair them side-by-side, as Levi himself is already a well-known comedic actor. It looks like DC is working to establish a particular tone for the Shazam corner of the DCEU, and while Black Adam is currently not expected to appear in the Shazam solo movie (he will get his own movie first), putting a comedy writer behind the villain could go a long way towards easing the transition to his first encounter with Billy Batson.
As of right now, the Black Adam solo movie does not have a set release date. However, the Shazam solo movie is expected to start filming in February of next year and debut in theaters in April 2019. The next silver screen DC adventure will commence when Justice League hits theaters on November 17. Tickets for Justice League are currently available, so make sure to get yours now!
