Dwayne Johnson Allegedly Blocked JSA Cameos in Shazam! 2

[WARNING: SPOILERS FOR SHAZAM! FURY OF THE GODS]

The post-credits scene for Shazam! Fury of the Gods had Shazam being recruited to the JSA by Peacemaker characters Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) and Economos (Steve Agee), and fans were wondering why they didn’t just get someone from the actual Justice Society of America to show up.

As it turns out, that was the plan, but the Rock apparently didn’t want that to happen. As per The Wrap (via @ShazamNews), Dwayne Johnson apparently ‘nixed the use of Black Adam actors’ in Shazam! Fury of the Gods. The original plan was said to have Aldis Hodge’s Hawkman appearing to recruit Shazam, rather than Amanda Waller’s lapdogs.

Though there had been a lot of praise for the Rock for bringing back Henry Cavill’s Superman (for a few minutes), there has also been some reports about him refusing to bring together both the characters of Shazam and Black Adam because he allegedly wanted Adam to get the spotlight with Superman—not his comic nemesis who he shares the same powers with.

Shazam! director David F. Sandberg has also talked about the wasted potential of Shazam not being able to go up against Black Adam, telling The Hollywood Reporter, “I do think it’s a missed opportunity. What makes the most sense is to have them fight each other, so it’s money left on the table. But it’s how it is.”

For now, Shazam! 2 is looking at some underperforming box office numbers, but I personally thought that the film was actually pretty good, surpassing both Black Adam and this year’s Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. I mean, it’s not perfect, but it certainly wasn’t as bad as some people are making it out to be.

Catch Shazam! Fury of the Gods now showing in theaters.