DC’s Newest Film Flop Becomes Dwayne Johnson’s Redemption Arc

Riddled with controversy after a premature audience preview, nefarious accusations, and a scene featuring a microwaved baby, The Flash has failed to ignite a DC comeback. Starring Ezra Miller, The Flash tells the story of Barry Allen as he navigates a multiversal error in a time travel journey to save his parents. Primed to be a smash hit at the box office with a $200 million budget and a reported $100 million spent on marketing, the film debuted with underwhelming numbers on Friday, June 16.

In a flash of disappointment from the DC Universe, The Flash earned $55 million domestically with a $75 million international sum, totaling $139 million. The lackluster premiere comes on the heels of several allegations hurled at the film’s star.

With a recorded incident of them choking a woman in 2020, a felony burglary arrest in 2022, and a protective order resulting from an accusation of child grooming, many have expressed distaste for Miller’s role in the film. Despite recent actions against Marvel star Jonathan Majors removing his name from film promos for Creed III amid domestic violence allegations, Miller’s allegations went unaddressed, further fueling the film’s backlash.

While there’s no way to know exactly why Marvel fans stayed at home during The Flash’s theatrical debut, the film’s flop has sparked a redemption for the man behind the most recent chastised installment from the franchise.

Welcome ‘Black Adam’

Although nothing as egregious as the alleged crimes associated with Miller has touched the likes of Moana star Dwayne Johnson, he’s been a lightning rod for DC criticism in recent years.

Slammed as a certified flop in the DC universe, Johnson’s Black Adam (2022) was the center of backlash accusing Johnson of an ego-driven power trip causing the film to underperform. Raking in a respectable $393.3 million during its theatrical run, it didn’t deliver the numbers needed to compensate for its $260 million budget—marketing not included.

The Black Adam botch ignited criticism of Dwayne Johnson’s involvement in the upcoming live-action Moana film, accusing the former WWE star of rushing production on a remake guaranteed to draw audiences in. In addition to tensions with cast members from The Fast and the Furious and a controversial decision to appear in the franchise after cementing his exit, Johnson has been dragged on social media for his recent movie moves.

But with The Flash falling face first on the box office pavement with its $55 million domestic debut compared to Black Adam’s $67 million domestic release, Twitter is lifting the film from “Rock” Bottom.

Twitter Has Johnson’s Back

The failure of The Flash has fans revisiting Johnson’s most recent contribution to the DC universe, asking: was it really that bad?

On Twitter, @realZSJL sparked a conversation around the Black Adam topic, giving Johnson credit for the film’s “continuity:.”

it’s been a while since anyone made the world this nervous… #BlackAdam we should talk Either you like or not the Black Adam movie (i personally love it) you have to admit that @theRock did an amazing job to make it have some continuity to the Snyderverse #ThankYouRock

https://twitter.com/realZSJL/status/1668650937735315456

Another tweet put the onus on Warner Bros. for pinning the box office failure on Johnson:

WB pushed an anti-Dwayne Johnson campaign just for The Flash to debut with a similar opening weekend as Black Adam. I didn’t forget how they essentially threw him under the bus for Ezra Miller

WB pushed an anti-Dwayne Johnson campaign just for The Flash to debut with a similar opening weekend as Black Adam. I didn’t forget how they essentially threw him under the bus for Ezra Miller

— Kay (@beycentric) June 19, 2023

In a twist that no one expected, @JILexander shared the numbers proving Black Adam didn’t just beat out The Flash—it eclipsed all of the DCEU films made since 2019:

Black Adam is the highest grossing DCEU Film since 2019.

Black Adam is the highest grossing DCEU Film since 2019. pic.twitter.com/kHvNGdvrg5

— James (@JILexander) June 19, 2023

That said, Black Adam still fell financially short, stirring up speculation that the DC films have a dwindling audience overall. While fans determine whether the problem lies in the content or the controversial cast members, Johnson is seemingly back on solid ground with DC fans.