Despite recent delays causing the film to be without a release date, Black Adam continues to add new cast members and characters to its ranks.
Aldis Hodge is reportedly in talks to join Dwayne Johnson and Noah Centineo in the film, portraying the superhero and Justice Society of America member Hawkman. Sarah Shahi was also announced to join the cast, playing the role of a university professor and freedom fighter in Kahndaq, Black Adam's birthplace.
A few supervillains have also been rumored to appear , such as the character Eclipso, who will reportedly aid in imprisoning Black Adam. Aladdin star Marwan Kenzari has also been rumored to appear in the film, playing Ishmael Gregor or Sabbac as he is known in the comics.
Now, a new character seems to be joining Black Adam , though this one appears to be a throwback to decades-old comics...
NEWS
According to The Illuminerdi , the Golden Age DC superhero Ma Hunkel is rumored to appear in Black Adam .
The character is reportedly play a supporting role in Black Adam and is described as "the caretaker of Hawkman and his museum" in her character breakdown. Ma Hunkel will also be reinterpreted as a transgender character for the film.
WHAT THIS MEANS
Ma Hunkel was DC Comics' first Red Tornado before the mantle was retooled for a separate cybernetic android character. The character was unique, though, in that Ma Hunkel would cross-dress as a man when taking on the superhero identity. As mentioned in The Illuminerdi article, it seems that this aspect of the character will be entirely retooled to make the character transgender. This inclusion should help to normalize greater diversity for LGBTQ+ characters in DC films and the film industry in general.
Ma Hunkel has connections to the Justice Society of America, being the grandmother of JSA member Cyclone. Although the role has not yet been cast, Maxine Hunkel's Cyclone will reportedly be featured in the film. This points to Ma Hunkel's role possibly being slightly larger than just a caretaker role and could add more credence to her inclusion in the film.
The Justice Society of America's headquarters was at one time used as a museum in the comics, so it is likely that this is what the rumor is referring to. Hawkman and Ma Hunkel do not have a direct connection to one another in the comics, so it will be interesting to see in what capacity Hunkel is used as a caretaker for Carter Hall. It seems that if Ma Hunkel is included, she will have many intersecting connections to different JSA members and the JSA as a whole.
Black Adam is without a release date, so it could be a while before fans find out if Ma Hunkel will make an appearance in the film.
