We’re Finally Getting a JSA Movie

The Justice Society of America lineup circa 2005: Another Alex Ross masterpiece.
The Justice Society of America lineup circa 2005: Another Alex Ross masterpiece.

It’s news that almost seems to be too good to be true.

The Justice Society of America will be hitting the big screen – and we have confirmation from no less than the Rock himself – “Fast and Furious” star Dwayne Johnson.

Johnson told ScreenRant that his long-awaited Black Adam film will “introduce the world to the JSA.”

Promotional poster for "Black Adam"The film is expected to pull heavily from Geoff Johns’ take on the character, who appeared in DC’s “JSA” from 1999-2006. That epic series reframed Adam as a servant to the Egyptian prince Khufu, later reincarnated as Carter Hall – Hawkman.

Johnson will play the iconic antihero of the Shazam family, but Shazam (played by Zachary Levi) is not scheduled to appear in this origin film.

Given how intricately tied they are to Adam’s origin – and how much they serve as a check on his ambition – Hawkman and Hawkgirl seem most likely of the JSA to appear.

Who else?

Given Johns’ heavy involvement in this film, it seems unlikely he will pass up a chance to bring Stargirl to the big screen since she is based on his late sister.

Atom Smasher was just about Black Adam’s only friend on the team, so he seems a given.

There’s speculation that we’ll see Mr. Terrific – Michael Holt – the most prominent Modern Age leader of the team. In one notable arc that I must cover here soon, Mr. Terrific, Shazam and Hawkgirl were tossed through time and learned of Adam’s trials before he earned such a notorious reputation.

Alex Ross' intense interpretation of Michael Holt/Mr. Terrific.
Alex Ross’ intense interpretation of Michael Holt/Mr. Terrific.

Dr. Fate would be a strong visual presence; Wildcat, the team’s boxer, would bring physical prowess to the screen. I would be surprised if Jay Garrick and Alan Scott appeared, because their alter egos – the Flash and Green Lantern – would be too confusing to new viewers more familiar with their Silver Age counterparts from other TV and film.

It’s worth noting that the JSA’s live-action appearances have been limited to a couple of “Smallville” episodes and a season two arc of “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” that was just horrific.

If “Black Adam” is a hit – and DC has been doing just everything right lately – that could lead to a standalone JSA franchise. The world will finally know the JSA, the first and greatest super-team, the inspirations for everything that has followed in comics.

About damn time.

“Black Adam” hits theaters Dec. 22, 2021.

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