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. The actor has been attached to the role for many years.

Also, 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. Back then, when he was promoting Hercules in Mexico City, Johnson said: “I am putting my heart and soul and my bones into this role.”

Noah Centineo