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TheWrap cites two "high-level Hollywood sources" who claim that Dwayne Johnson's ego-driven actions "systematically destroyed two franchises"—Shazam and his own DC Universe debut, Black Adam—making his protective Black Adam box office remarks understandable.
According to The Wrap, Johnson made an effort to set his character, Black Adam, apart from his primary canonical connection to the world (Zachary Levi's Shazam), and instead proposed a duel with Henry Cavill's Superman.
Johnson has reportedly clashed with franchise co-stars before. In an infamous Instagram post, he referred to some co-stars as "candy asses" and labelled them "chicken sh-t." Johnson and Jason Statham left the main franchise in 2016 to star in Hobbs & Shaw, a spinoff.
Johnson has been frank about his attempts to set Black Adam apart from Shazam, noting that the characters' origin stories were originally intended to be combined into an one movie.
"But, as soon as I read it, I immediately had a gut feeling that "We can't film this movie like this." Two origin tales coming together in one film might have been acceptable for Shazam, but we would be doing Black Adam a tremendous injustice."
Dwayne Johnson called DC Studios and suggested that they create Shazam! on their own and in their own voice. Johnson undoubtedly doesn't like the fact that his employer is now the one who develops Shazam, according to TheWrap, who added that he has a barely covert dislike for the app.
After conversing with Gunn, Johnson kept things civil when he announced his departure from Washington, DC, in December of last year. Johnson and Gunn have been friends for a long time and have always supported one another.
Johnson also believes that DC and Marvel should win, and win big.
Right now, Shazam could be scoffing.