Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Dwayne Johnson confirmed on Twitter Wednesday that screenwriter Adam Sztykiel will be penning the actor's upcoming entry into the DC Comics cinematic world with Black Adam.
"Excited to expand the DC Universe w/ writer Adam Sztykiel (co-wrote @rampagethemovie) and bring this complex & gritty anti-hero to the big screen. This character's in my bones. Ruthless code. #Kneel #BlackAdam," Johnson wrote, mentioning how Sztykiel co-wrote the upcoming adaptation of video game Rampage which will also star the WWE alum.
Black Adam from Warner Bros. imprint New Line Cinema, is being produced by Johnson with Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia through their Seven Bucks Productions studio along with FlynnPictureCo., Deadline reported.
Sztykiel's other writing credits include Due Date, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul, Made of Honor, and Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip.
Excited to expand the DC Universe w/ writer Adam Sztykiel (co-wrote @rampagethemovie) and bring this complex & gritty anti-hero to the big screen. This character’s in my bones. Ruthless code. #Kneel #BlackAdam⚡️https://t.co/mGUKIQAcSP
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) November 8, 2017
Johnson has been attached to portray Black Adam who is the nemesis of Justice League member Captain Marvel, since 2014. The character will be a part of Warner. Bros.' DC extended universe with Johnson teasing in the past that a cinematic fight between Black Adam and Henry Cavill's Superman was "in the cards."
Black Adam gains the powers of Egyptian gods when he shouts the magical word "Shazam!" a phrase also used by Captain Marvel to gain super powers. The character although mostly seen as a villain, has more recently been portrayed in the comics as more of an antihero.
"I have loved the role of Black Adam. I love that he starts off as a slave, that he felt like he was wronged," Johnson previously noted when discussing why he wants to portray the character. "I have just loved that backstory. I think that Black Adam has always been, to me, the most intriguing superhero," he continued.
A film centered around Captain Marvel titled Shazam! from director David F. Sandberg is further along in development with Chuck and Heroes Reborn alum Zachary Levi being cast recently in the lead role.
Johnson's Black Adam may not be first introduced in Shazam! with the antihero first appearing in the planned sequel to Suicide Squad, The Wrap reported, citing sources familiar with the idea.
