Explaining the Conclusion of Black Adam

Black Adam surprises by 'resurrecting' a character seemingly long forgotten from the DC cinematic universe.

Note: This article contains spoilers for the movie Black Adam.

Black Adam currently stands as the most anticipated blockbuster in the film market, marking the resurgence of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) after a prolonged period of silence. Introducing not just a superhero, or more accurately, an anti-hero, entirely new to mainstream audiences, this film also heralds the return of a familiar face long thought forgotten by Warner Bros.: Superman, portrayed by Henry Cavill.

In reality, the DC superhero isn't the central focus of the blockbuster Black Adam , and Henry Cavill merely makes a guest appearance. However, just a few seconds of Superman's appearance in the post-credit scene of the film have already thrilled many viewers. So, what does the return of this superhero mean for Black Adam specifically and the future of the DCEU in general?

What Happened in the Conclusion of Black Adam ?

After the showdown with the main antagonist Sabbac, Teth-Adam/Black Adam decided to become the protector of Kahndaq instead of returning to imprisonment as previously agreed with the Justice Society of America. And that clearly left Amanda Waller, the director of the Task Force X project, not at all pleased. The film's conclusion focuses on the very straightforward conversation between these two characters, as Amanda warns Black Adam not to move beyond the confines of Kahndaq and to refrain from using his own strength to wreak havoc on the world.

With his stubborn and somewhat arrogant nature, Black Adam pays no heed to Amanda's threats. With all that he has been through, such as being imprisoned for 5000 years, single-handedly defeating the Justice Society of America, or vanquishing Sabbac, Black Adam believes that no one on Earth can be his equal. And that's when Amanda unleashes her ace card named Superman, the mightiest superhero currently in the DCEU.

The encounter between Superman and Black Adam, though brief, is one of the highlights of this blockbuster. The looks they exchange are not necessarily hostile, but rather tinged with challenge and excitement at finding a worthy opponent. This segment lays a very good foundation for Warner Bros. to build a tense relationship between Black Adam and Superman, thus bringing the most thrilling showdown in future DCEU projects.

Why is Superman the perfect adversary for Black Adam?

Black Adam possesses immense strength and superpowers, as clearly demonstrated in Warner Bros.'s latest blockbuster, as well as in the original DC comics. Meanwhile, Superman is one of the few DCEU superheroes who can match Black Adam in both physique and strength, alongside another notable name, Billy Batson/Shazam.

Therefore, if faced with Black Adam, Superman is the most 'bright' choice. This has been shown numerous times in the comics. Before being depicted as an anti-hero, Black Adam often appeared more as a super antagonist and has had numerous clashes with DC's Superman. And such battles often end in a draw because both sides are evenly matched, making it difficult to determine the winner.

Examining specifically within the DCEU, there are several reasons why Amanda Waller decided to seek Superman's help instead of Billy Batson to confront Black Adam. Firstly, up to the current moment, Billy's connections to other DCEU film projects are quite fragile. And there haven't been any specific details indicating that this superhero is acquainted or has worked with Amanda before. Secondly, through the Peacemaker series aired earlier this year, we've learned that Superman, along with the Justice League, is always ready to respond to Amanda's requests for assistance whenever necessary.

In summary, Superman is the perfect choice to become a worthy adversary for Black Adam at the current moment.

What does the conclusion of Black Adam mean for the future of DCEU?

According to producer Hiram Garcia, the showdown between Superman and Black Adam will be an 'epic tale' of the DCEU, rather than just a run-of-the-mill battle. This implies that audiences will see Henry Cavill's version of Superman in many other film and television projects by Warner Bros., which may include Man of Steel 2.

Recently, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros. is developing a new project specifically for 'Superman' Henry Cavill under the supervision of veteran producer Charles Roven. Currently, this project is searching for the most suitable screenwriters. Meanwhile, director James Gunn, the 'magic touch' behind blockbusters like The Suicide Squad or Peacemaker, is also negotiating with Warner Bros. to helm a secret but crucial film for the future of DC.

Synthesizing the information above, it's evident that the showdown between Black Adam and Superman will be one of the highlights of the DCEU in the coming years. Until then, the production team can leisurely construct other storylines, such as the clash between Black Adam and Shazam!, or Superman's next journey following the events in Justice League.

In summary, from the conclusion of Black Adam , we can draw two conclusions: Henry Cavill's Superman will remain a crucial part of the DCEU's future despite the prior unfavorable rumors. And secondly, the journey in this cinematic universe of Black Adam , a long-standing character from DC comics, is just beginning.