622 Comments | Published by Shawn Adler on Monday, September 24, 2007 at 3:48 pm.
Captain Marvel may be charged with protecting mankind, but that’s nothing compared to being charged with finding the right actor to fill his heroic tights.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson told MTV News he was in discussions to play both Captain Marvel AND the villainous Black Adam in the upcoming superhero flick “Shazam,” and he’s calling on fans of the character to chime in with their picks.
“It’s up to the fans,” he told me repeatedly when I interviewed him this past Saturday.
So we’re opening up the floor to you. Do you think he’s right for either role, and if so, which one? It’s all yours to decide. But, remember, to borrow a turn of phrase from another superhero, “With great power comes great responsibility.”
Sound off on your choices below.
You can skip to the end and leave a response.
September 24th, 2007 at 5:52 pm
I think the Rock would be better suited (both in look and attitude) to play Teth-Adam. The character is more interesting and complex to play. His mere existence tells the story of what Captain Marvel has to battle against. After all, absolute power corrupts absolutely, right? Plus I’d love to see Teth-Adam #@*~ his hand back and threaten to lay the smack down on Captain Marvel’s candy ass.
September 24th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
Captain Marvel. Capt. M has the mind of Billy Batson, and Dwayne Johnson can pull of that attitude very well. It’s much easier to play the villainous Black Adam. Get HHH or Steve Austin for that role.
September 24th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
He should absolutely, 100% be Black Adam. Every time I’ve seen him try to play earnest or genuine, it’s come across as goofy to me. Not very convincing. His darker stuff, though, is pretty damn believable.
As for Captain Marvel? It should be someone well-built but with a twinkle in his eye. Maybe someone like John Barrowman, an American actor who’s on a BBC series called Torchwood. Or Paul Gross from “Due South” or “Slings & Arrows.” He’d be perfect for the role.
September 24th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
I’d say he has a better look for Black Adam, plus I think he could play a good villian given his prior experience in wrestling where he turned ‘heel’ for periods. so he could pull of the attitude.
September 24th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
He should definitely be Black Adam.
I really want to see him in that Super-Villain type of role.
And I agree with Brian that they should choose Paul Gross from “Due South”.
God I miss that show.
September 24th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
Black Adam, hands down.
September 24th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
The Rock would be much more suited for the role of Black Adam. Not that race is a key issue here, but Rock has already played ‘Egyptian’ in The Mummy/Scorpion King films, and he definitely looks more like Black Adam than Capt. Marvel.
Anyone who has seen The Rock on television knows he was generally far more entertaining as a villain than as a good guy in the WWE. He could play either role, really, and while I could probably come up with a few other choices for Captain Marvel, Rock sticks out as the best candidate for Black Adam.
September 24th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
Dwayne Johnson can play both roles. He has demonstrated in the past that he can tackle just about any role he is given. I would much rather have him play Shazam. I like him being the hero and he has the built to play him. He already played a villain in the film adaptation of Doom. He would be perfect for both, but I would much rather see him as the lead.
September 24th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
Rock should definately play Captain Marvel. Black Adam is a little thinner and slightly older than the rock. He also has a Joker-esque face: heavy lines, signifigant crows peak, pointed features which the Rock would need some serious make-up effects to maintain.
As mentioned before, Shazam! is actually a kid inside, and I think Dwayne could pull that off well. He naturally fits the physical profile of Capt. Marvel as well. Do a search for Alex Ross paintings of both characters and the difference is apparent.
September 24th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
Most definitely Black Adam.
September 24th, 2007 at 8:03 pm
Black Adam. He would be awesome in the role.
September 24th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
Absolutely Black Adam. It would give the Rock an opportunity to demonstrate his acting range. Besides, he fits the look of the character.
September 24th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
i think Dwayne Johnson shud play MASTER CHIEF!! or maybe Stone Cold shud… but to get to the main topic, i think he shud be Cap.Marvel cuz he shud be in a movie series at least ONCE and they might make a sequal and hes pretty badass
September 24th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
i think he should play captain america!
September 24th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
The Rock should play BLACK ADAM all the way,he looks a lot like the character,the Rock can pull it off.
September 24th, 2007 at 8:09 pm
woah! i meant captian marvel… lol
September 24th, 2007 at 8:11 pm
Black Adam hands down…
September 24th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
He should play neither because neither Capt. Marvel nor Black Adam is half black half Samoan. Not that I care about race or whatever. The Rock certainly has the body and the acting ability for either role, but come on. Am I gonna have to be the one to bring this up? Remember how angry the fans were back when the short-lived rumor was Will Smith was gonna play Jimmy Olson in Superman Returns?? I suppose if he MUST play either role, I’d prefer to see him as Black Adam.
September 24th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
The Rock should definitely smell what Captain Marvel is cooking.
September 24th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
He should without a doubt play black adam. it is the perfect role for the rock. dont go capatain marvel.
September 24th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
NEITHER!!! He’s not an actor! That is, unless you call THAT acting. He’s a big dude who can raise an eyebrow. He still goes by his wrestling name for God’s sake! How can anyone take him seriously?!? Adding it to his real name isn’t any better. Choose one name or the other, that should be the discussion! The man cannot act well and the movie will bomb as a result ending a potential amazing trilogy of superhero films. Have fun ruining everyone’s Shazam childhood memories.
September 24th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
He’d be perfect for Black Adam. The dialogue would be fantastic coming from him! I agree with a previous poster that Dwayne would be able to play a “heel” very effectively from past experience in the wrestling ring.
September 24th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
With my knowledge of comics and the physical relation between Black Adam and the Rock, I definitely feel he would fit that role easier as opposed to Marvels role.
September 24th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
He would be a really badass Black Adam, without a doubt.
September 24th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
I think he should play either Black Adam or Tawky Tawny the talking tiger. lol…he should NOT play Captain Marvel. I don’t think he looks at all like Captain Marvel.
September 24th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
Captain Marvel! If you smell what the Rock is cookin’!
September 24th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
Black Adam! He’d be perfect!
September 24th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
I want to see Dwayne in the Black Adam role. He may have already been a villain in Doom, but he has played the good guy a whole lot more. Part of The Rock’s appeal in WWE was that he was a good guy with heelish tendencies, which is more in line with Black Adam’s morally ambiguous character than it is with the clean cut Captain Marvel. Either way, I look forward to seeing this film, and I know Dwayne will do a great job.
September 24th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Are you kidding me? Is this even a real debate? EASILY Black Adam is the one he should play!
September 24th, 2007 at 8:24 pm
Dwayne ( the ROCK ) johnson should play the part of BLACK ADAM ! he will be remembered for this role the way ANORLD ( The GOV. ) SWARZENNEGER played the villian in the first TERMINATOR movie .
September 24th, 2007 at 8:24 pm
Dwayne would make a great Black Adam, he looks just like the character and would make a great villian.
Iron Man May 2nd, 2008!!
September 24th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
BLACK ADAM! He is not right for Marvel.
September 24th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
He’s would be prefect as the Black Adam he looking the part!! If you going to make this movie you have to do it!!!!
September 24th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
I think The Rock should do Namor. He looks like Namor and his wrestling character was arrogant just like Namor. He’s perfect for it. But I wouldn’t mind him as Black Adam as well. But he should definitly run for Namor.
September 24th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
What is wrong with these people. he should be Captain Marvel.
September 24th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
The Rock would be perfect for Black Adam! He should most definitely play Black Adam. He looks the part, is a decent actor, and I know can pull it off. He has the rage from wrestling, the figure and face, he can act after previous films, and I know with the right director will be able to show a vast amount of emotion. I hope he plays Black Adam!
September 24th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
I think he would make a great Black Adam! Appearance wise he is almost perfect. All he needs is slightly pointed ears. I would also like to see him play a villain for a change…He plays a lot of good guys!
September 24th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
shazaam! hands down.
September 24th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
Teth-Adam, Black Adam! This is the role he was meant to play!
September 24th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
I’m really digging the Black Adam idea.
a movie with The Rock as Black Adam and Brandon Molale as Captain Marvel would be extremely awesome
September 24th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
I have always though that the Rock would be perfect for Black Adam. More recently, he has been playing the “good guy,” but I think that he would do great as this villain. He has the look, the size, and the ability to feared and hated the way a villain like Black Adam should be. So let’s go back to the days of the Mummy Returns and see The Rock as a villain. And, although he wouldn’t be bad as Captain Marvel, he would make an excellent Adam!
September 24th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
I think that The Rock should play Black Adam in the film. I think he would make a great villian.
September 24th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
Well I think he would be a terrible Captain Marvel, but Black Adam?? Hmmmmmmm…..
September 24th, 2007 at 8:46 pm
You have to be Black Adam. Being the bad guy is totally awesome.
September 24th, 2007 at 8:48 pm
he looks like Black Adam a lot would fit him perfectly.
September 24th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
THE ROCK- BLACK ADAM!!!
THE ROCK- BLACK ADAM!!!
THE ROCK- BLACK ADAM!!!
September 24th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
as much as i would love to see DWAYNE play ole SHAZAM i agree with everyone that his best bet is BLACK ADAM. Too many good guy roles ruin a career. My only concern is that by taking on one of these roles ruins his chance at playing Marvel’s SUB-MARINER. If that option is even open anymore. End result : BLACK ADAM. Just promise me a memorable villain DWAYNE…make him BAD ASS!!!
September 24th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
Mr. Johnson, I think that you should definitely be Black Adam. In my eyes, you are Black Adam, and I’ve thought that ever since I saw a suggestion of you as him. You look just like him, and (if Southland Tales doesn’t make that much money at the box office, which I hope it makes alot) this may be the defining breakthrough role for you in Hollywood.
By the way, you definitely have the villain thing down. The Rock in the Nation of Domination and The Corporation already showed that.
September 24th, 2007 at 9:02 pm
Here at Comic Oasis in Las Vegas we are unanimously decided that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson would be well suited for the role of Black Adam. He’s got the look, the physique and we know he can play the bad guy judging by his earlier wrestling days. BLACK ADAM all the way!
September 24th, 2007 at 9:03 pm
ithink he should play black adamjust to play a bad guy like his old days of wrestling.but he truly couldplay either.him as captain marvelwould bekool also