Warner Bros. has set the release date for their upcoming DC Comics film, Black Adam. The film will star Dwayne Johnson as the titular character.

View this post on Instagram

The Man in Black ⚡️ Like most kids growing up, I dreamed about being a superhero. Having cool superpowers, fighting for what’s right and always protecting the people. It all changed for me, when I was 10yrs old and was first introduced to the greatest superhero of all time – SUPERMAN. As a kid, Superman was the hero I always wanted to be. But, a few years into my fantasy, I realized that Superman was the hero, I could never be. I was too rebellious. Too rambunctious. Too resistant to convention and authority. Despite my troubles, I was still a good kid with a good heart – I just liked to do things my way. Now, years later as a man, with the same DNA I had as a kid – my superhero dreams have come true. I’m honored to join the iconic #DCUniverse and it’s a true pleasure to become, BLACK ADAM. BLACK ADAM is blessed by magic with the powers equal to SUPERMAN, but the difference is he doesn’t toe the mark or walk the line. He’s a rebellious, one of a kind superhero, who’ll always do what’s right for the people – but he does it his way. Truth and justice – the BLACK ADAM way. This role is unlike any other I’ve ever played in my career and I’m grateful to the bone we’ll all go on this journey together. BLACK ADAM 12.22.21 ⚡️ Huge thank you to my friends, @jimlee and @bosslogic for this first time ever bad ass collaboration.

A post shared by therock (@therock) on Nov 14, 2019 at 9:06am PST

The film will hit theaters on Dec. 21, 2022. It is helmed by Jaume Collet-Serra, who directs Johnson in Disney’s upcoming Jungle Cruise. It is considered a spinoff of the recent DC Comics flick, Shazam. At one time Johnson was to portray Black Adam in a Shazam! film before it was decided he would get his own. Johnson has been attached to the role for many years.

Johnson produced Shazam! with his Seven Bucks Productions partners Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia as well as Geoff Johns.

Back in 2014, when it was learned that Johnson would either be Shazam or Black Adam, the speculation was put to rest when he revealed that he would play Shazam’s nemesis, who also happens to be one of Johnson’s favorite comic book characters. When he was promoting Hercules in Mexico City, Johnson said: “I am putting my heart and soul and my bones into this role.”

READ MORE:

Amid ‘Shazam!’ Success, The Rock Gives Update On His ‘Black Adam’ Film For DC

Photo: Getty Images/DC

From Harlem to Hollywood, get the Black entertainment news you need in your inbox daily.