Yes, Dwayne Johnson is no longer part of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) under the current leadership at DC Studios. Here’s a breakdown of the situation:
Background:
- Dwayne Johnson joined the DCEU in 2019 with his role as Black Adam in the movie Black Adam, which was part of the larger DC universe.
- Black Adam was positioned as a major part of the future of the DCEU, with Johnson himself having expressed hopes to build a new era of DC films centered around his character, especially with potential match-ups against Superman.
Changes with DC Studios:
- James Gunn and Peter Safran took over as co-CEOs of DC Studios in late 2022, with a new direction for the DC cinematic universe, now referred to as the DC Universe (DCU).
- Under Gunn and Safran’s leadership, they decided to reboot the continuity of the DC films, which meant a departure from the DCEU established by the previous regime.
What Happened to Dwayne Johnson’s Role?
- Despite the buildup for a Black Adam sequel and possible appearances of his character in future DC films, Dwayne Johnson confirmed that his character would not be part of the new DCU plans.
- In December 2022, after Black Adam’s release and the leadership change, James Gunn stated that Henry Cavill (Superman) would not be returning as Superman for the DCU, effectively ending the possibility of a showdown between Black Adam and Superman.
- Johnson later confirmed that his character’s future in the DCU was on hold. He mentioned that he and the new DC Studios leadership had agreed to move in a different direction and that Black Adam would not be part of the new DC Universe under the current vision.
Current Status:
- Dwayne Johnson is not part of the new DC Universe moving forward. The focus is now on new characters and fresh takes, as seen with Gunn’s announcement of a new Superman movie, Superman: Legacy, and other projects like The Brave and the Bold (a new Batman film).
- Black Adam’s future is uncertain at this point, with no immediate plans for the character’s return under the new DCU framework.
In summary, while Dwayne Johnson’s Black Adam was once set to be a cornerstone of the DCEU, his involvement in the DCU has come to an end with the leadership change and the reboot of the franchise.