It's no secret that Dwayne Johnson made a bid to take control of the DCEU, with his plan being to build that shared world around the Black Adam franchise.
When the movie was released to negative reviews and poor box office numbers, the actor attempted to spin the narrative, leaking financial information to Deadline and promising fans a Hawkman movie among other spin-offs. DC Studios had other ideas, though, and parted ways with Johnson.
We've previously heard that the former pro wrestler allegedly has "disdain" for the Shazam! franchise, hence why he was laying the groundwork for his anti-hero to battle Superman instead.
Recently, Shazam! Fury of the Gods director David F. Sandberg revealed that he planned to include Justice Society characters in the sequel's mid-credits scene, only to learn three days before cameras rolled that he was no longer allowed to do so. Who put the brakes on that? According to The Wrap, it was Johnson.
In a piece that accuses Johnson of having "kneecapped" both the Black Adam and Shazam! franchises with his actions, it's revealed that the actor vetoed plans for Hawkman and other members of the Justice Society team to appear in the movie.
"Dwayne tries to sell himself as bigger than the movie," one insider tells the trade. "He’s one of the few people who always thinks he’s the most important person in any situation or room. Instead of making a movie, he wants to extend his brand and make a brand centered on himself."
Another adds, "By alienating the established property that his character was born out of, and refusing to integrate with other established characters, [Johnson] systematically crippled two franchises, and has harmed DC in the process."
We don't know why Johnson was so against a Shazam crossover, but have to assume he didn't want to share the spotlight or felt the two characters wouldn't mix well...which contradicts decades of comic book history. Both Black Adam and Shazam! Fury of the Gods had issues beyond the former's lead, but it seems his actions have indeed hurt both franchises.
Remember, he went around DC Films brass to get Superman in Black Adam, so it's no wonder James Gunn and Peter Safran weren't keen to bring him into the DCU fold. And, as the trade points out, many in Hollywood are now questioning whether Johnson is still the box office draw he once was, suggesting he's hurt himself in all this as well.