Aldis Hodge roped in to play Hawkman in Dwayne Johnson starrer ‘Black Adam’

Aldis Hodge

Aldis Hodge of The Invisible Man fame has been tapped to play Hawkman in Dwayne Johnson starrer Black Adam. Johnson himself announced the news on his Instagram account. 

While announcing the news, Johnson also revealed the funny interaction he had with Hodge when he called him to give him the good news. Black Adam is a spin-off of Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema’s Shazam!, with Zachary Levi as the titular superhero.

 
 
 
 
 
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THIS IS HAWKMAN ? A pleasure to welcome @aldis_hodge to BLACK ADAM. HAWKMAN is a critical leading role for our movie, as he is the fiery leader of the JSA (Justice Society of America) and one of the most beloved and legendary characters in the DC UNIVERSE. I called Aldis personally as I wanted to surprise him that he got the role and it wound up being one of the greatest conversations I’ve ever had. Aldis: Hello? DJ: Hello, I’d like to speak to Aldis. Aldis: Who is this? DJ: This is Dwayne Johnson. * long pause Aldis: Whoever this is stop playing on my phone. DJ: This is Dwayne, is this Aldis? * longer pause Aldis: This shit ain’t funny, I said stop playing on my fucking phone. DJ: Aldis, this is DJ. I just called to say thank you so much for sending in your audition – it was great and I really appreciate the efforts you made. Just wanted to say thanks and best of luck in all you do. And one more thing — welcome to Black Adam. * longest pause Aldis: I’m sorry you’ll have to hold on for a one second. * he puts the phone down and walks away and all I hear is inaudible yells ? Aldis: DJAYYYY OHHHHH SHIT!!!!!! * Im laughing my ass off by now. DJ: You ok? You’re gonna crush this role! We went on to have an awesome conversation full of gratitude, love and motivation. Can’t wait to work with this very talented brother. The perfect HAWKMAN. Let’s get to work. #aldishodge #jsa #hawkman ? #blackadam⚡️

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Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra (The Shallows), Black Adam will feature Johnson as the titular antihero, reported Variety. According to DC Comics, Hawkman aka Carter Hall is a member of the Justice Society, a multigenerational group that preceded the Justice League. 

The synopsis reads: The story centres on the character who was first created as Shazam’s arch-nemesis, back when that squinty-eyed hero was named Captain Marvel but evolved into a more layered individual. 

The traces of Hawkman, first appeared in 1940’s Flash Comics No. 1, goes back to one of a pair of lovers from Ancient Egypt destined to constantly be reincarnated throughout time and space. With many rebirths the story led to the emergence of a hawk-themed hero using both giant wings and an alien element called ‘nth metal’ which negates gravity and allows him to fly. In contemporary comics, he’s Carter Hall, an archaeologist turned adventurer who struggles with anger issues and his ability to control a mace. 

Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani have penned the latest draft of the script, from a previous draft by Adam Sztykiel. The makers are yet to cast actors for the roles of Doctor Fate and Cyclone. Johnson is co-producing the film with Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia through their Seven Bucks Productions, and Beau Flynn through FlynnPictureCo. Scott Sheldon will oversee FlynnPictureCo and will also serve as an executive producer.

Black Adam is slated to release on 21 December 2021.