As progress continues on the upcoming Shazam! movie for Warner Bros. and New Line, Tracking Board reports that Undateable creator Adam Sztykiel is in talks to write its sister film, Black Adam. Sztykiel’s other credits include Due Date, We’re the Millers 2, and other feature length comedies.
Starring Dwayne Johnson as the titular anti-hero, Black Adam was originally part of the Shazam! film before they were separated into two projects. Johnson has been attached to the role in some capacity for nearly ten years and though it now seems to be moving along, the project is still without a director.
Originally Teth-Adam of Kahndaq, Black Adam first appeared in Marvel Family #1 in 1945 and has gone on to be both a villain and an anti-hero throughout his history. The character has powers comparable to that of Shazam, including flight, strength, agility, lightning manipulation, as well as magic.
The current plans for the project are for Black Adam to not appear in the upcoming Shazam! movie at all, though a previous report indicated there could be a teaser for the character as early as next year’s Aquaman. Shazam! will star Zachary Levi as the titular hero, with Annabelle: Creation director David F. Sandberg set to step behind the camera. It’s scheduled to start shooting next year for an April 5, 2019 release date.
