In 2022, Dwayne Johnson attempted to anchor the DC Extended Universe through two distinct roles, voicing Krypto in DC League of Super-Pets and starring in Black Adam. However, the financial underperformance of both projects ultimately paved the way for a complete franchisse reboot.
The Krypto and Anubis connection in Super-Pets
Dwayne Johnson's 2022 strategy involved a unique promotional synergy between his animated and live-action roles. In the film DC League of Super-Pets, Johnson provided the voice for Krypto the Superdog , a role that served as a bridge to his live-action turn as the antihero Black Adam.
The report notes that this connection was explicitly teased in a post-credits scene where Krypto met Anubis, the pet dog of Black Adam.. This move was intended to weave the two projects together, leveraging Johnson's massive persona to build momentum for his upcoming blockbuster.
A $260 million gamble that stalled at $393 millin
Despite the star-studded voice cast of DC League of Super-Pets—which included Kevin Hart, Kate McKinnon, and John Krasinski—the animated feature failed to meet expectations. As the report indicates, the film grossed $393.5 million worldwide, a figure that felt underwhelming given its $260 million production budget.
The financial struggles of the animated project were mirrored by the live-action release of Black Adam. According to the analysis, Black Adam also earned approximately $393 million against a similar $260 million budget. This performance was widely viewed as a significant box office failure, signaling that the strategy of centering the DC Extended Universe around a single star was not resonating with audiences.
How Henry Cavill’s cameo failed to stop the reboot
Warner Bros. attempted to use high-profile cameos to stabilize the franchise's future. In Black Adam,Dwayne Johnson secured a post-credits appearance by Henry Cavill as Superman, a move designed to tease future confrontations and maintain the existing continuity.
Instead of revitalizing the brand, the poor reception of Black Adam led to a total corporate reset. The failure of the film prompted Warner Bros. to shelve future plans for the character and hand the reins of the franchise to James Gunn and Peter Safran. This decision effectively ended the DCEU and led to the birth of a new cinematic universe.
The unanswered fate of the Black Adam sequel
The sudden shift in leadership has left several major questions regarding the future of Johnson's character. While the era of Black Adam's prominence is now considered a failed chapter, the specific plans for the shelved sequel remain unverified.
It remains unclear if the new DCU under James Gunn and Peter Safran will ever incorporate the character of Black Adam, or if the aggressive push by Johnson has permanently alienated the traditional fanbase. The transition from a star-driven model to a new creative direction leaves the legacy of the 2022 DC slate in a state of uncertainty.
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