Hollywood celebrities who are not actively associated with a CBM franchise have never been such openly vocal advocates and self-appointed spokespersons of any particular IP as Dwayne Johnson has been about DC and Black Adam. For as long as anybody could remember, the world’s highest-paid actor has been unabashedly promoting the DC universe, establishing and strengthening his love for the comic book world and slamming the Marvel universe at the same time as a fun side hustle to keep the infamous rivalry going.
Over the years, his press junkets, skits, and interviews across Hollywood events have become quite the eye-catcher for Johnson’s dramatic bashing of the Avengers coupled with his iconic line: “DC in the house!”
Dwayne Johnson at the Black Adam event
Dwayne Johnson Establishes DC’s Supremacy Over Marvel
Dwayne Johnson’s love for Superman and Black Adam is unparalleled. This had been the case 15 years ago and it remains so today but it has also become somewhat unrequited ever since the epic crash and burn of Black Adam in 2022. The Rock’s endless advocacy for the DC franchise has never been a subject of solitary contemplation given the rise of the CBM industry’s popularity in recent years – coinciding perfectly with the rise of Dwayne Johnson in Hollywood as well.
Marvel v DC
During various promotional interviews, he has been asked about who would win in a fight and his answers have only always been a reflection of his competitive spirit:
“So you ask if Thanos would scare me? Right. Here’s the thing with the Avengers. They’re all my buddies [but] they are all pu**ies. That’s the thing… You know who’s tough in the Avengers? None of ’em!”
In a standard format of trash-talking before starting the epic and decisive fight in a battle, Dwayne Johnson has continued to build up DC and bring up conversations elemental to promoting himself as a candidate suitable for the role of Black Adam years before talks had even begun at Warner Bros. about developing the IP for the big screen.
The Rock Trashes MCU Stars: Chris Evans and Chris Pratt
What began as a small bit about the DC and Marvel rivalry soon became a funny conversation starter for Dwayne Johnson in interviews. His explosive reaction would engage the crowd as well as make them laugh, especially when combined with the combined force of his close friend, part-time enemy, and partner-in-crime, Kevin Hart.
In one such Hollywood event, the gala of A-listers and celebrities present was left aside in favor of more targeted bullying of the Marvel Cinematic Universe actors, especially Captain America star, Chris Evans, and Chris Pratt.
Dwayne Johnson and Stan Lee
During a press junket for Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, when asked which celebrity he would choose to draw into the fictional world to fight for survival, he pointed out the Avengers – “‘All of them need their a** kicked ‘cuz it’s DC, baby! That’s how we roll.” A similar answer presented itself when The Rock was talking about a zombie apocalyptic movie.
Dwayne Johnson’s DC Future vs MCU’s Avengers
Since the premiere of Warner Bros. Discovery’s Black Adam in October 2022, Dwayne Johnson has been dragged through a hurricane of trolls and backlash over the controversial return and exit of Henry Cavill and the negatively received narrative of the film. After James Gunn’s arrival, the Black Adam IP has been moved to the sidelines while Dwayne Johnson’s future in the franchise has been chalked up to a matter of if rather than when.
The Avengers
Also read: Dwayne Johnson Wants To “Sneak into MCU now that DC Doors are Closed’ After Wishing James Gunn Well for a DCU Without Black Adam?
On the other hand, the Marvel universe has expanded beyond measure in the short time that has passed since October 2022. With Phase Four receiving a proper send-off with Black Panther 2 and Phase Five kicking off the Multiverse Saga with Ant-Man 3, the arc for the next great epic has already begun to brew. The Avengers, for now, are scattered across the galaxy but when the time calls for it, they will reunite in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.
