15 Actors Perfect for the Role of the Black Adam in the DCU

Black Adam began in the comics as an adversary of Shazam, introduced by writer Otto Binder and artist C. C. Beck in Fawcett and later DC publications. The character is tied to the fictional nation of Kahndaq and empowered by a pantheon of Egyptian deities—Shu, Heru, Amon, Zehuti, Aton, and Mehen—whose initials form the acronym that grants him stamina, swiftness, strength, wisdom, power, and courage. On screen, the antihero has headlined ‘Black Adam’, which expanded his mythology for modern audiences and connected him to the Justice Society of America.

Within the DCU, the role calls for a performer comfortable with large-scale action, historical and mythic backstory, and a mix of heroism and ferocity. The actors below have led or anchored major films and series, worked under prominent directors, and brought to life complex figures across genres—from epic adventure to psychological drama—making them strong fits for a character rooted in power, tragedy, and ancient lore.

Marwan Kenzari

Marwan Kenzari played Jafar in Disney’s live-action ‘Aladdin’ for director Guy Ritchie, starred in the action-fantasy ‘The Old Guard’ directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, and appeared in the crime thriller ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ under Kenneth Branagh. His filmography also includes ‘Wolf’, ‘The Angel’, and ‘Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver’, spanning roles across fantasy, espionage, and ensemble mystery, with collaborators such as Charlize Theron, Gal Gadot, and Daisy Ridley.

On television and in international cinema, Kenzari has worked in Dutch productions like ‘Wolf’ and English-language projects, demonstrating facility with multilingual dialogue and physically demanding parts. He has collaborated with writers including John August and Greg Rucka through adaptations and original screenplays, and trained on productions that integrate extensive stunt work, wire rigs, and choreographed combat typical of large-scale comic-book properties.

Tahar Rahim

Tahar Rahim earned wide recognition with ‘A Prophet’ for director Jacques Audiard, followed by acclaimed work in ‘The Mauritanian’ from Kevin Macdonald and the limited series ‘The Serpent’. He portrayed the title role in ‘Don Juan’ and appeared in Ridley Scott’s ‘Napoleon’, working alongside performers such as Vanessa Kirby and Joaquin Phoenix in historical and biographical storytelling.

Rahim’s projects reflect versatility across languages and industries, including French, British, and American productions. He has experience with legal drama, period epics, and true-crime narratives, collaborating with writers like Aaron Guzikowski on television and directors known for stylized realism and large-scale set pieces, skills aligned with portraying a myth-rooted figure like Black Adam.

Oded Fehr

Oded Fehr is known for adventure-horror staples ‘The Mummy’ and ‘The Mummy Returns’ directed by Stephen Sommers, where he played the Medjai warrior Ardeth Bay alongside Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. He also appeared in the ‘Resident Evil’ film series, expanding his action credentials with ensemble casts and effects-heavy storytelling.

On television, Fehr has had roles in ’24’ and ‘NCIS’, and voiced and portrayed characters in genre series including ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ as Admiral Charles Vance. His work spans directors and writers across action, science fiction, and procedural formats, involving sustained stunt coordination, tactical choreography, and leadership roles within military and myth-adventure contexts.

Fares Fares

Fares Fares co-starred in ‘Zero Dark Thirty’ directed by Kathryn Bigelow and ‘Child 44’ directed by Daniel Espinosa, bringing procedural intensity and period intrigue to international thrillers. He led ‘The Nile Hilton Incident’ for director Tarik Saleh, a neo-noir set in Cairo that intersected crime storytelling with political undercurrents.

On television, Fares appeared in ‘Chernobyl’, created by Craig Mazin and directed by Johan Renck, and has taken roles in Scandinavian and English-language projects. He collaborates frequently with filmmakers who blend grounded drama with large-scale tension, a background compatible with the political and historical textures of Kahndaq in Black Adam narratives.

Amr Waked

Amr Waked’s international credits include ‘Syriana’ directed by Stephen Gaghan, where he appeared alongside George Clooney, and ‘Lucy’ by Luc Besson, combining geopolitical themes and science-fiction action. He played a key role in ‘Salmon Fishing in the Yemen’ for director Lasse Hallström, adding character-driven drama to his filmography.

Waked has worked across Egyptian cinema and global productions, navigating scripts that integrate regional settings, diplomacy, and conflict with personal stakes. His experience with multinational casts and crews, as well as stories that merge modern politics and mythic or speculative elements, aligns with Black Adam’s blend of national identity and superhuman narrative.

Rami Malek

Rami Malek headlined ‘Mr. Robot’, created by Sam Esmail, a psychological techno-thriller series that earned widespread recognition. In film, he portrayed Freddie Mercury in ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, and later appeared as Lyutsifer Safin in the James Bond entry ‘No Time to Die’ directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga.

Malek’s roles range from biographical drama to franchise-scale espionage, working with directors such as Bryan Singer and Dexter Fletcher on a music-driven epic and with established action filmmaking teams in the Bond series. His projects often incorporate complex character studies within high-stakes frameworks, a combination present in Black Adam’s evolution from antagonist to antihero.

Mena Massoud

Mena Massoud starred as Aladdin in Disney’s ‘Aladdin’ directed by Guy Ritchie, performing alongside Naomi Scott and Will Smith in a musical adventure that combined stunt performance with choreography and visual effects. He has also appeared in the action thriller ‘Jack Ryan’ and the revenge-fueled series ‘Reprisal’.

Massoud’s work spans streaming and studio features, with training in movement and on-camera action applicable to comic-book adaptations. His credits involve collaboration with writers adapting legacy properties and showrunners building serialized espionage and crime narratives, relevant to sustaining a character across films and potential DCU crossovers.

Faran Tahir

Faran Tahir appeared in ‘Iron Man’ directed by Jon Favreau as Raza, intersecting with early Marvel Cinematic Universe world-building, and in ‘Star Trek’ directed by J. J. Abrams as Captain Robau. He has credits in ‘Elysium’ by Neill Blomkamp, blending science fiction with social commentary.

Tahir’s television work includes roles in ’12 Monkeys’, ‘Warehouse 13’, and ‘Scandal’, reflecting long experience with serialized genre storytelling. He has collaborated with writers and directors who balance character moments with large-format action and political subplots, a foundation compatible with Black Adam’s legacy, governance themes, and superhuman conflict.

Navid Negahban

Navid Negahban portrayed Abu Nazir in ‘Homeland’ and the Shadow King in ‘Legion’, engaging with psychological and geopolitical narratives under showrunners Alex Gansa, Howard Gordon, and Noah Hawley. He also played the Sultan in Disney’s ‘Aladdin’ for director Guy Ritchie.

Negahban’s body of work bridges prestige television and major studio features, often inhabiting roles linked to power, leadership, or mythic influence. His collaborations span directors known for stylized visuals and layered storytelling, experience that aligns with the DCU’s mixture of character mythology, political intrigue, and spectacle.

Ashraf Barhom

Ashraf Barhom’s international breakout included ‘The Kingdom’ directed by Peter Berg, where he acted opposite Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Garner in a counter-terror thriller. He appeared in ‘Agora’ from Alejandro Amenábar and in the fantasy action film ‘Clash of the Titans’ directed by Louis Leterrier.

Barhom has worked across Middle Eastern and European productions, as well as Hollywood projects, with roles that integrate historic settings, epic conflicts, and ensemble dynamics. His experience with scripts that interweave religion, politics, and myth complements the worldbuilding associated with Black Adam’s ancient origins and modern responsibilities.

Ahmed Ezz

Ahmed Ezz is a leading figure in Egyptian cinema with credits such as ‘El-Mamar’ and ‘Kira & El Gin’, projects that combine war drama and period adventure under prominent regional directors like Sherif Arafa. He has toplined action and espionage titles in Arabic-language markets, building a reputation for high-intensity roles.

Ezz’s work frequently involves extensive location shooting, military coordination, and ensemble casts, mirroring the logistical demands of large-scale franchise filmmaking. Collaborations with writers and producers in North Africa and the Middle East position him at the intersection of regional authenticity and blockbuster storytelling.

Joe Manganiello

Joe Manganiello is known for ‘True Blood’, created by Alan Ball, and for appearances as Deathstroke in ‘Justice League’ directed by Zack Snyder. His film credits include ‘Magic Mike’ directed by Steven Soderbergh and the indie superhero tale ‘Archenemy’ from Adam Egypt Mortimer.

Manganiello has produced and starred in genre projects, working with stunt teams and second-unit directors across action and dance-centric choreography. His background includes stage and screen training and collaborations with major studio franchises, providing familiarity with superhero world-building and ensemble crossover planning within shared universes.

Luke Evans

Luke Evans headlined ‘Dracula Untold’ directed by Gary Shore and portrayed Bard the Bowman in ‘The Hobbit’ trilogy under Peter Jackson. He has appeared in ‘Fast & Furious 6’ directed by Justin Lin and ‘Beauty and the Beast’ directed by Bill Condon, spanning action, fantasy, and musical storytelling.

Evans’ career includes theatre, blockbuster cinema, and limited series work, collaborating with writers and producers on adaptations of classic literature and modern franchises. His experience with motion-capture, large-scale set pieces, and ensemble casts aligns with DCU production requirements for continuity, mythic stakes, and interlinked narratives.

Travis Fimmel

Travis Fimmel led ‘Vikings’ created by Michael Hirst, portraying Ragnar Lothbrok across multiple seasons in a historical epic with extensive stunt work and location shoots. He starred in ‘Warcraft’ directed by Duncan Jones, a fantasy action film adapted from a major game franchise.

Fimmel later appeared in ‘Raised by Wolves’, created by Aaron Guzikowski and executive-produced by Ridley Scott, engaging with science-fiction themes and physical performance enhanced by prosthetics and effects. His collaborations with effects-heavy productions and serialized mythmaking match the demands of portraying a supernatural ruler within the DCU.

Alexander Skarsgård

Alexander Skarsgård is a Swedish actor noted for ‘True Blood’, developed by Alan Ball for HBO, in which he portrayed Eric Northman across multiple seasons. He starred in ‘Big Little Lies’, created by David E. Kelley from Liane Moriarty’s novel, and appeared in ‘Succession’ as tech executive Lukas Matsson.

Skarsgård headlined ‘The Northman’, directed by Robert Eggers, a historical action drama co-written by Eggers and Sjón. His additional credits include ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’, part of Legendary’s MonsterVerse overseen by multiple directors and writers, and roles in independent features and European productions.

Share your thoughts in the comments with the actors you’d cast as Black Adam and why!