The Rock Reveals His Favorite Superman, and the Strategic Digital Release of Black Adam

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is celebrating the success of Black Adam in theaters and its release on iTunes. In a video shared with his fans on Twitter he reveals the decision to release Black Adam early on digital was to capitalize on the upcoming holiday season. Although Black Adam is still in theaters, it is now also available for digital purchase. Black Adam released on Prime Video and iTunes on November 22nd. The Black Adam train continues to roll as it is #1 on iTunes.

Black Adam had a satisfactory international opening, but it is still garnering interest with its digital release. As of November 27, 2022, Black Adam has grossed $163 million in the United States and Canada, and $215.1 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $378.1 million.

In his message to fans on Twitter, the actor explained that the decision to release Black Adam early on Digital was a strategic move meant to capitalize on the upcoming holiday season. "We released Black Adam yesterday [Nov. 22]," Johnson said. "We thought it was a strategic release to go on all digital platforms as we’re still out in theaters, as we go into the thanksgiving holidays, and of course the Christmas holidays, Hanukkah holidays. So, you guys can enjoy Black Adam still in theaters and certainly enjoy the Man in Black at home." The decision is seemingly paying off as he also revealed that "Black Adam is the number one movie on iTunes."

Johnson, thanked fans and talked about the titular character not being recognized by mainstream audiences. Most comic book fans were already familiar with the anti-hero (although he can be considered more of a villain earlier on in the comics), the film introduced Teth Adam (Black Adam) to the world. 15 years in the making, Johnson fought hard to bring the DC character who was bestowed the almighty powers of the gods to the big screen. The film also introduced characters such as Hawkman, Cyclone, Atom Smasher, Dr. Fate and the super group Justice Society of America (JSA) to audiences worldwide in a live-action film.

As everyone knows by now, Henry Cavill made a cameo returning as Superman in the end credits. Johnson also fought hard to bring the fan favorite Superman back despite Warner Bros. push-back. The DC star said he wanted to establish Black Adam “as the most powerful, unstoppable force in the DC universe.” Fans have been eagerly waiting for his Black Adam Vs. Superman battle. Johnson said, “We have to bring back the most powerful, unstoppable force of all time in any universe. And you guys know who I’m talking about? Of course, that is Superman. And that’s Henry Cavill.”

“This has been years in the making regarding bringing Henry Cavill back and years of strategic conversations and we were not going to take no for an answer,” he added. “There was no way, there’s no viable logical way that you can attempt to build out the DC Universe without the most powerful force and the greatest superhero of all time sitting on the sidelines. It’s impossible to do.”

Johnson continued to express his enthusiasm for the return of Cavill: “It all comes back to where's Superman you have to have Superman in the mix. So that’s why we fought hard to bring Superman back. Henry Cavill, and there was no other Superman, by the way, to bring back Henry Cavill is our generation's Superman and in my opinion, the greatest Superman. And I mean that respectfully to the other actors, especially Christopher Reeve, but the greatest Superman of all time.” With Henry Cavill back in the DC Universe, the Black Adam star said that they can “now build out the DC Universe, properly, strategically and smartly.” Johnson also noted that since the film came out the “hierarchy of power in the DC Universe has changed and, of course, now we have new leadership at DC and at Warner Bros.”

In Theaters and Digital:

In ancient Kahndaq, Teth Adam was bestowed the almighty powers of the gods. After using these powers for vengeance, he was imprisoned, becoming Black Adam (Dwayne Johnson). Nearly 5,000 years have passed, and Black Adam has gone from man to myth to legend. Now free, his unique form of justice, born out of rage, is challenged by modern-day heroes who form the Justice Society: Hawkman, Dr. Fate, Atom Smasher and Cyclone.

Release date: October 21, 2022 (USA)
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra