Warner Bros. SDCC panel 2022 recap: Every DC announcement recapped

The Warner Bros. SDCC panel took place on July 23. Find out what DC Comics announcements were made during the presentation. 

On July 23, Warner Bros. finally headed back to Hall H with the Warner Bros. Pictures theatrical panel designed to promote its upcoming theatrical releases from DC Comics.

In the can’t miss panel, Warner Bros. spotlighted some of its biggest upcoming releases including Dwayne Johnson’s highly anticipated Black Adam film as well as the upcoming sequel to 2019’s Shazam, Shazam! Fury of the Gods. On tap to help preview the titles were its stars Dwayne Johnson and Zachary Levi, who took to the Hal H stage along with some special guests to introduce the next DC Extended Universe projects.

The panel brought with it teases of what’s to come in Warner Bros.’s upcoming DC theatrical releases!

Warner Bros. SDCC panel recap (2022)

As the Warner Bros. SDCC panel unfolds, we’ll be updating this piece throughout the panel so be sure to refresh this page for the latest news as we’ll be adding new information as announcements are made once the Warner Bros. panel begins at 10:15 am PT.

Zachary Levi teases Shazam 2’s focus on the Shazam Family’s “growing pains”

Kicking off the Warner Bros. Theatrical panel was an appearance by Shazam! lead Zachary Levi revealed the upcoming sequel will jump ahead a bit in time as the Shazam Family continues to come into their own as heroes.

"“We got this really cool into all of the kids getting their superpowers at the end of the last movie. And now, it’s a couple on, and we’ve all been flying around doing various missions trying to help the city of Philadelphia and the world at large but, again, we’re all still learning how to do that. There are lots of growing pains. Not just in our own powers, but also figuring out our own identities between the two.”"

As they do so, it seems we can expect a bit of family drama, after all as Levi teased “Super family comes with super problems. There all the little family tiffs and family drama, so we’re trying to figure it out.”

Shazam! Fury of the Gods SDCC Trailer

No Comic-Con panel is ever truly complete without some first-look teases and Warner Bros. did not disappoint, releasing the brand new Shazam! Fury of the Gods trailer for those in Hall H to enjoy and online shortly after!

Lucy Liu challenges Zachary Levi to a showdown

While Zachary Levi might have been the only Shazam! Fury of the Gods cast member whose appearance was teased ahead of the panel, Levi wasn’t the only star to grace the stage. Joining Levi for the Shazam! Fury of the Gods segment of the panel were his co-stars Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer and Lucy Liu, whose arrivals created a wave of excitement among those in attendance!

Among the highlights of their arrival was Liu playfully challenging Levi to a showdown after showing up with his character’s Rock of Eternity Staff!

Asher Angel teases Billy’s main focus in Shazam! Fury of the Gods

While Billy might have been a kid when we first met him in Shazam!, he’s quickly approaching adulthood in the film’s sequel which is something that Asher Angel told fans at Comic-Con is a bit scary for his character.

"“Adulthood is on the horizon for him and that’s something that’s a little scary because he doesn’t really know what’s going to happen when he’s 18. He doesn’t know if he’s going to have to move out, or go somewhere else. I think the unknown of the future is something that’s a little scary.”"

With so many uncertainties ahead, Angel revealed Billy’s main focus in the film is going to, understandably, be on his family and living in the moment as much as he can.

"“I think Billy’s main focus [in Shazam! Fury of the Gods] is maintaining the family dynamic with the Shazamily and being all together. I think he’s just trying to be in the moment, be with his family and have fun.”"

Lucy Liu on joining the DC Universe: ‘It’s an honor to be part of something this special’

Lucy Liu has accomplished a lot in her career, but joining the DC Universe is something Liu calls one of the most exciting moments in her career.

"“To be part of the DC Universe and this world is the most exciting things that probably has ever happened in my career because I grew up watching all of those [titles] and reading comic books. Being here now and being a woman of color, and having this really wonderful career that I have had, it was an honor to be part of something this special.”"

For Liu, one of the most incredible aspects of the universe created in Shazam! Fury of the Gods is that it’s a universe we can all relate and is one that has made her feel at home.

"“It’s a universe that we can all relate to because we all want to belong. It feels like I am in a place where I’m home.”"

Is Shazam 3 happening? Zachary Levi hopes so!

Although a third Shazam! film has not yet been announced by Warner Bros., Zachary Levi is optimistic about the odds of a third film happening.

“I hope so,” Levi gushed when asked if there would be a third film before encouraging the fans to get out and go see Shazam! Fury of the Gods to help show his bosses why another film should happen. “If you guys go and see this one and you like it, then there’s a good chance that the bosses will make another one.”

The Rock makes an electrifying entrance at Warner Bros SDCC panel

Heading into the Warner Bros. panel, we knew Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was ready to make a splash, but nothing prepared us for Johnson’s electrifying entrance!

As the action shifted to Black Adam, Johnson entered Hall H in style rocking his character’s signature costume to the sound of lightning cracking, strobe lights flashing and smoke flowing as Johnson appeared upon the stage in a truly stunning moment.

Black Adam is officially finished

Work on Black Adam seems to finally be complete as the final cut of the film was screened for the cast on the eve of their SDCC appearance. The news is likely music to the ears of fans who will get the chance to finally see the film this October when it opens in theaters.

Black Adam cast promises the film will usher in a new era for DC films

We’ve been warned that Black Adam will shake up the hierarchy of the DC Extended Universe, and the cast doubled down on that promise during their SDCC appearance. As Johnson promised those in the crown, Black Adam will usher in a new era for DC films.

Black Adam cast previews what’s to come

Discussing the film’s central character, Jaume Collet Serra likened Black Adam to “a Dirty Harry-like character” because of how much he operates in the gray area “breaking down the establishment.”

As for Atom Smasher and Cyclone, star Noah Centineo revealed the film will “see two metahumans really figure out what being a superhero is,” which is something he finds truly special about the film.

"“If you’ve read the comic books, you know [Atom Smasher] comes from a pedigree of heroism and a little bit of villainy and that’s a complicated past. With that, he really wants to prove himself as a hero. I look at Atom Smasher and Albert and say, ‘This is a young kid who really wants to find himself,'” Centineo teased.You usually see superheroes when they are already their fully formed version of themselves. In this film, you get to see two metahumans figure out what being a superhero is.”"

Of course, discussions also included the thrill of getting to take on these larger-than-life, iconic characters from the pages of DC Comics which is a life-long dream realized for many members of the cast, including Aldis Hodge.

Black Adam SDCC trailer

After discussing Black Adam with those in attendance at the Warner Bros. Hall H panel, Johnson and the cast introduced the brand new trailer for the film which offered up a new look at the film’s iconic DC Comics characters.

Viola Davis confirmed to appear in Black Adam

Among the biggest announcements made during the Black Adam portion of the Warner Bros. theatrical panel at SDCC was news that Viola Davis will reprise her role as Amanda Waller in the upcoming film.

It is not yet known how large of a role Davis will have in the film, but it will mark her first return to the DCUE following the events of Suicide Squad 2. 

Can Black Adam beat Superman?

Can Black Adam beat Superman? It’s a question comic book fans have been debating for years, so it’s only natural that the question came up during the Black Adam panel — and Johnson was more than happy to weigh in on the debate.

“Don’t threaten me with a good time because I’m going to answer that question,” Johnson joked before weighing in on who he’d back in the fight, though it sounds like there is one key variable he finds would go into the outcome.

"“It’s been the age-old question of who would win in a fight between Black Adam and Superman. Pound for pound, they’re pretty close. I guess it probably all depends on who’s playing Superman — I will just say that. I’ll leave it at that.”"

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Black Adam panel ends with a light show

After making a stunning entrance, The Rock closed out the Black Adam segment by lighting up Hall H with some help from Black Adam lights handed out to attendees before the event’s start. It was a truly incredible way to cap off the panel and end with an exclamation mark!