Black Adam: Casting the Justice Society of America heroes in the DCEU

Hawkman – Ricky Whittle

Director Jaume Collet-Serra’s film should extrapolate the darker side of Hawkman’s arcs in the pages of DC Comics. The hardships he faces could make for excellent depth; the drugs, racism, and his success as archaeologists despite it all. An actor whose name should be on the shortlist is Ricky Whittle. After all, he did tease the idea of him joining the DECU. The 38-year old actor made a name for himself on British TV in classic soap Hollyoaks before impressing wider audiences as the Trikru warrior Lincoln in The 100 and eventually with his role on American Gods.

If Black Adam takes from the comics, Prince Khufu discovers a Thanagarian spaceship that crash-landed in Egypt. While there, he finds Nth metal which holds supernatural properties. The wielder of the metal is gifted with superhuman abilities. It also forced Khufu, and his lover Chay-Ara, into the cycle of reincarnation.

Their story has a tragic history that ended in murder. In poetic fashion, the Egyptians were reborn. However, this isn’t just a love story. Khufu’s second shot at life allowed him to become a hero we know as Hawkman. At least one story sees Black Adam bring a retired Hawkman back to heroism after Jay Garrick (The Flash) finds an evildoer exploiting the powers of Nth metal.

We’ll see which direction they take Hawkman, but Whittle’s name should be on the list.