Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is preparing an ambitious return to the DC Universe following the removal of James Gunn and Peter Safran from the leadership of DC Studios, according to a Hollywood insider in the industry’s latest shake-up.
The source describes Johnson as unusually enthusiastic about the prospect of resurrecting his abandoned Black Adam franchise, potentially through a revival of Shazam, the superhero series from which his character originally emerged.
Skydance confirmed Monday that Gunn and Safran would step down from their executive positions, with former Marvel Studios producer Jeremy Latcham assuming leadership on December 1.
The announcement immediately revived memories of Johnson’s unsuccessful attempt to reshape DC around his character in 2022.
And, the man known as The Rock has wasted absolutely no time.
“Dwayne has been waiting for this moment for four years,” a Hollywood insider familiar with the actor’s thinking said.
“When the news broke, he immediately started making calls. He believes the hierarchy of power has finally changed in the way he originally intended.”
The source added that Johnson had begun revisiting an ambitious proposal involving Black Adam, Shazam, Superman and a possible restructuring of the wider DC Universe.
“He doesn’t necessarily want to run DC Studios,” the insider said. “He just wants every major decision to go through him, every superhero to acknowledge Black Adam and every movie to lead toward a confrontation with Superman.”
Asked how this differed from running DC Studios, the source declined to elaborate.
A longtime friend says The Rock is ready
Marcus Roll, a longtime associate affectionately known as “The Rock Friend,” offered further insight into Johnson’s alleged excitement.
“Dwayne called me at four in the morning,” Roll said.
“He told me to get up, hit the gym and prepare for the greatest comeback in superhero history. I told him I had work at nine. He said winners don’t sleep. It’s time to rock n roll baby”
Roll revealed that he has also been developing plans to join the DC Universe himself, introducing an original supervillain named Roll, better known as “Rollin’ Man.”
“Dwayne has Black Adam, but I have something much bigger,” Roll explained. “My character doesn’t fly, shoot lasers or need special effects. He just rolls. He rolls into banks, rolls over his enemies and rolls away before the police arrive. Batman can’t catch him because he never stops rolling.” Roll said he had already prepared a preliminary character design and hoped to present it to DC’s incoming leadership.
“I’ve been working on the drawing for almost three weeks,” he added. “Dwayne thinks there’s potential. He told me not to quit my day job, but I think he was joking.”
According to Roll, Johnson believes Black Adam was never given an adequate opportunity to establish itself as the centerpiece of DC’s cinematic future.
“He’s convinced that audiences weren’t ready for the character’s true potential,” Roll said.
“Dwayne spent 15 years getting Black Adam made. He doesn’t believe 15 years of preparation should end because some people didn’t buy tickets.”
Roll said the actor had also been examining opportunities to resurrect Shazam, although the proposed revival would reportedly place considerably more emphasis on Black Adam.
“The idea is to bring Shazam back, but make Black Adam the central character,” he explained.
“Shazam would still be important. He would provide the historical context for why Black Adam is so powerful.”
The proposal would potentially allow Johnson to headline a new series of films while establishing Black Adam as a defining presence across the DC Universe.
Hill suggested that working titles included Black Adam Returns, Shazam: Rise of Black Adam and Black Adam vs. Superman: The Final Hierarchy.
He acknowledged that nobody had yet discussed the proposals with Henry Cavill.
Former love interest receives unexpected call
In perhaps the most unusual development in this comeback, a woman described as a former romantic interest of Johnson claimed the actor contacted her shortly after the DC leadership announcement.
The woman, who asked that her identity remain undisclosed, said she was surprised to receive the call.
“We haven’t spoken in a long time,” she said.
“He sounded incredibly excited. He told me James Gunn was out and that everything was finally falling into place.”
According to the woman, Johnson repeatedly emphasized that his original vision for Black Adam had been misunderstood.
“He kept saying he was back. He said the whole world was going to witness something extraordinary.”
She initially believed Johnson was attempting to rekindle their relationship.
“I thought it was a personal conversation,” she said. “Then he started explaining the difference between Black Adam’s powers and Superman’s powers.”
The conversation reportedly lasted nearly 40 minutes.
“At one point, he asked if I remembered the hierarchy of power,” she added.
“I told him I remembered why we broke up.”
Johnson’s previous attempt to reshape DC
Behind the claims lies a genuine and unusually turbulent history.
Johnson spent years developing Black Adam, eventually releasing the superhero film in October 2022.
Throughout its promotion, the actor repeatedly declared that his character would transform DC’s established balance of power.
He also worked to secure Henry Cavill’s return as Superman, arranging a highly publicized appearance in the film’s post-credits sequence.
However, the project ultimately earned approximately $393.6 million worldwide, against a reported production budget of roughly $200 million.
Its financial performance became controversial, with Johnson publicly disputing claims that the film would lose money.
The actor shared projections estimating profits of $52 million to $72 million and compared the movie’s box-office performance to the original Captain America.
The following month, Gunn and Safran’s new DC strategy left Black Adam outside the first chapter of the rebooted universe.
It was an extraordinary setback for Johnson, whose character had been promoted as an unstoppable force capable of challenging Superman.
The actor’s ambitious plans also generated controversy surrounding Shazam.
A 2023 investigation by TheWrap reported that Johnson had blocked proposed crossover arrangements linking the two franchises, preferring to build toward a confrontation with Superman.
Shazam star Zachary Levi subsequently appeared to endorse the report.
The revelation puzzled comic-book fans because Black Adam’s origins are closely connected to Shazam.
Vin Diesel feud offers glimpse of Rock’s competitive instincts
Johnson’s reputation for fiercely protecting his screen persona predates his involvement with DC.
His long-running public feud with Fast & Furious co-star Vin Diesel became one of Hollywood’s most entertaining disputes.
In 2016, Johnson posted an angry Instagram message criticising unnamed male co-stars, famously describing them as “candy asses.”
The dispute eventually became associated with Diesel, with the two actors publicly acknowledging their differences.
Adding to the absurdity, a 2019 Wall Street Journal report revealed that major Fast & Furious stars had reportedly taken extraordinary measures to ensure their characters never appeared substantially weaker than their co-stars during fight sequences.
Johnson reportedly had associates monitoring how much punishment his character received.
Diesel reportedly explored calculating numerical values for punches, kicks and other physical blows.
The revelation raised an obvious question about any future showdown between Black Adam and Superman.
What happens when two supposedly invincible superheroes fight and one of their actors is determined not to lose?
Hill, the Rock confidant, dismissed such concerns.
“Dwayne doesn’t think in terms of winning or losing,” he said.
“He thinks in terms of winning and winning even harder.”
The Rock’s unusual Hollywood reputation
Johnson’s famously demanding work ethic has also produced some unexpected headlines.
In 2024, TheWrap published allegations concerning his punctuality during production of the Christmas action film Red One.
Johnson subsequently rejected the more extreme claims but acknowledged occasionally arriving late to sets.
He also confirmed during a GQ interview that he sometimes urinates in bottles while working, apparently to avoid interrupting his schedule.
The revelation added another dimension to the public image of an actor already famous for elaborate workout routines, enormous meals and motivational speeches.
For fans, the possibility of such an intense personality returning to DC’s executive orbit is almost irresistible.
Online discussions have repeatedly mocked Johnson’s original claim that Black Adam would change the franchise’s hierarchy of power.
His ambitious plans, combined with the disappointing reception to the film, turned the slogan into a lasting internet joke.
But the Hollywood insider insisted Johnson remains undeterred.
“Dwayne sees himself as somebody who finishes what he starts,” the source said.
“He brought Henry Cavill back once. He believes he can do it again.”
When reminded that Cavill’s previous return lasted only one post-credits scene, the source suggested Johnson preferred to focus on the positive.
A new era for Black Adam?
For now, DC’s actual leadership transition remains focused on Latcham, who assumes control in December.
Gunn and Safran will continue working on creative projects, including Man of Tomorrow, the upcoming Superman sequel.
But the Rock is already preparing for his next chapter.
Roll claimed Johnson had begun developing a lengthy presentation outlining the future of DC under a Black Adam-centered strategy.
“That’s something Dwayne is still working out,” he said.
“He’s very excited about the character’s future.”
“Black Adam’s future?” he was asked.
“No,” Roll replied.
“Dwayne’s.”
