Black Adam Atom Smasher actor Noah Centineo reflects on working with Dwayne Johnson in the upcoming DC Extended Universe movie. Johnson plays the titular antihero Black Adam, whose powers rival the strongest comic book characters. While there's a lot of excitement to see Johnson's take on the role, there's also interest in Centineo's Al Rothstein/Atom Smasher, as, like Black Adam, he's never been seen in a live-action movie before.
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Atom Smasher was created by Roy Thomas, Jerry Ordway, and Mike Machlan for All-Star Squadron #25 in 1983. As seen in the trailers for Black Adam, Atom Smasher has the ability to increase his size and proportionate strength. He has similar powers to Ant-Man when he uses Pym Particles to transform into Giant-Man as seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies. Atom Smasher is also a member of the Justice Society both in the comics and in the film and will have to go up against Johnson's Black Adam with his teammates. The movie's Justice Society also includes Hawkman, Cyclone, and Doctor Fate.
As Black Adam is one of the first major blockbusters Centineo's been a part of, it was a new experience to work with a star like Johnson. Given that the two likely share plenty of screen time in the film, Centineo got to see firsthand how Johnson is in the role. When speaking with Vanity Fair about working with Johnson, he praised the actor. Check out Centineo's quote below:
Dwayne is 99 percent more present than most people. They say don’t meet your idols—not true with Dwayne.
Centineo also shared he used to dress up as superheroes when he was younger, so it makes sense working alongside Johnson in a big-budget DC movie was exciting for him. It sounds like the experience didn't disappoint. While Black Adam is the start of another franchise for Johnson, he shows no signs of slowing down. Being present and engaged with the other actors around him will only help elevate the movie overall.
Johnson clearly has a passion for Black Adam and wants to see the film succeed. He's the public face of the movie and has been championing it for years. Given how long Black Adam was in development, it speaks to Johnson's conviction that he stayed present throughout the process. Aside from his regular social media posts about the movie, Johnson arrived at the San Diego Comic-Con panel for Black Adam in costume, showing his continued commitment to the film and ensuring audiences are excited for it.