While Dwayne Johnson, aka The Rock, prepares for "Hercules" to hit theaters this Friday, the actor/wrestler is teasing that he may be playing a big DC Comics character soon. Some thought that the actor would be playing fan favorite Lobo in a new feature, but it looks like that rumor has been put to rest. The news that Johnson reveals could be a new franchise for DC and Warner Bros. if it all plays out. He didn't reveal the name of the character he will be playing, but here is what he hinted at when talking with Total Film.
"He has the power of Superman. And it's not the Green Lantern by the way. Believe me-Jon Stewart-he is a character who I wanted to play but there was already a version of Green Lantern, and so now we've gone in a highly different direction. But this character has the power of Superman. He can throw down," said Johnson while talking to the website.
Johnson also revealed that there will be an official announcement shortly, which has fans thinking that San Diego Comic-Con this weekend will be the perfect place. Johnson and Warner Bros. have been in discussions for quite some time about finding the right property for the actor. Rumors also swirled that Johnson could be taking on the role of "Black Adam," but now it looks like "Shazam" is in the cards as a new tentpole franchise.
"Just say the word. That's all I'm going to say," added Johnson to Total Film. This "word" could be alluding to the magic word that Billy Batson says to transform into "Shazam." It may not make sense for the reveal to come on the heels of his new "Hercules" movie as it might shift the focus off of the Brett Ratner film in its opening weekend. However it is serendipitous that the new movie just happens to be opening the weekend of the Con making it a great time to make the big announcement.
"I would take my (Hercules) club and I would knock Superman into next week, and then I would whip his ass for leaving!," says Johnson.
If this news pans out, it means that DC is really trying to prove to the world that they can make comic book movies just as well as their arch rivals over at Marvel Studios. It is unclear when a "Shazam" film will be released, but a July 2016 opening slot is rumored to be vacant. Hopefully we will get more news about "Shazam" this weekend...if that is the property Johnson is hyping.
