Black Adam vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice 2 (2025) is a highly anticipated blockbuster that would bring two of DC Comics’ most iconic heroes (or anti-heroes) face-to-face in a high-stakes, action-packed showdown. Following the introduction of Dwayne Johnson’s Black Adam in Black Adam (2022) and the continued saga of Henry Cavill’s Superman, this sequel could explore the growing tensions between these powerful characters, each representing different sides of justice, morality, and power.

Here’s a speculative breakdown of what Black Adam vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice 2 could entail:

Story:

1. The Rise of Black Adam:
   • The film could pick up where Black Adam (2022) left off, with Teth-Adam (Black Adam) emerging from centuries of imprisonment and wreaking havoc on the world. While Black Adam’s actions were motivated by vengeance and his desire to protect his home, Kahndaq, his methods are harsh, and his thirst for power is relentless.
   • In Black Adam vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice 2, Black Adam may attempt to expand his influence beyond Kahndaq, potentially seeking global domination or to challenge established power structures. His approach to justice could clash with the global community, leading to friction with Superman, who represents a more traditional, moralistic form of heroism.
2. The Moral Divide:
   • A central theme of the film could be the ideological conflict between Black Adam and Superman. While Superman stands for truth, justice, and the protection of all people, Black Adam’s ruthless methods, which include using his immense power without restraint, create a moral dilemma.
   • Superman, driven by his values and the lessons of his Kryptonian heritage, might see Black Adam as a dangerous force that cannot be allowed to operate unchecked. In contrast, Black Adam might view Superman as weak or naïve, believing that true justice can only be achieved through power and fear.
   • The clash between these two would not only be physical but ideological, with both characters trying to convince the world (and each other) that their way is the only right path.
3. Superman’s Return and the Justice League:
   • Henry Cavill’s Superman will play a major role in the narrative, returning to the world stage after his absence. His return could involve him facing not only Black Adam but also other threats that arise as a result of Adam’s presence and his increasingly aggressive actions.
   • The Justice League could be brought into the fray, though Superman might have to deal with the fallout from his previous relationships with the League. With Black Adam’s power and influence growing, Superman could be forced to question the League’s role in stopping global threats and his place within it.
   • There could be a growing tension within the League itself, with some members possibly siding with Superman’s moral code while others might understand or even sympathize with Black Adam’s views.
4. The Justice vs. Vengeance Conflict:
   • As Black Adam takes more extreme actions to impose his version of justice, the film could explore how vengeance and power corrupt. Black Adam’s backstory, rooted in personal loss and the trauma of his past, could be contrasted against Superman’s idealism, forged through the loss of his planet and his belief in the good of humanity.
   • As the movie unfolds, Black Adam’s methods could push Superman to the edge, forcing him to reckon with how far he’s willing to go to stop someone who, while ruthless, believes they’re fighting for their people’s freedom.
5. Team-Up or Final Showdown?:
   • The film could feature a climactic moment where Black Adam and Superman, after an intense battle, are forced to temporarily put aside their differences to face a common enemy. This could be an external threat like a powerful villain (possibly someone pulling the strings behind the scenes) or a larger global crisis that requires them to work together for the greater good.
   • However, their temporary alliance could be fraught with tension, with both characters still clashing over their methods and worldview. The film might leave room for future conflicts between them or even set up a larger DC universe arc.
6. Potential New Villains:
   • While the film primarily focuses on the clash between Superman and Black Adam, it could also introduce a new antagonist. Someone like Lex Luthor, who manipulates the conflict between the two heroes for his own gain, or a powerful new foe from the DC universe (perhaps a villain tied to the magical or extraterrestrial realms) could act as a catalyst for the confrontation.
   • Black Adam’s history with magic might also bring in other supernatural threats like Shazam (Zachary Levi’s Shazam), who could find himself caught in the battle due to his own connections to the magical world, or other magical characters such as Doctor Fate or the Spectre.

Characters:

• Superman (Henry Cavill): Superman will continue to embody hope, justice, and the best of humanity, but he may be tested by the morally gray actions of Black Adam. His arc could revolve around balancing his ideals with the harsh realities of the world, especially when dealing with someone like Black Adam.
• Black Adam (Dwayne Johnson): Black Adam, the anti-hero with godlike powers, would serve as the antagonist to Superman’s idealism. His fierce dedication to his people and his willingness to use extreme methods could present a formidable challenge for Superman.
• Lois Lane (Amy Adams): Lois Lane could play an important role in Superman’s emotional journey, helping him to navigate the complexities of his conflict with Black Adam. She might also serve as a voice of reason, trying to find a peaceful resolution to the escalating situation.
• Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg): If included, Luthor could continue his role as a manipulator, sowing discord between the heroes or seeking to exploit the chaos for his own purposes. He might also be trying to create a weapon or strategy to neutralize Black Adam or Superman.
• The Justice League: The League might play a secondary role, with Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, or even The Flash appearing to either support Superman or try to mediate the conflict. Each member’s involvement could depend on how their views align with the ideals of Superman or Black Adam.
• New Villain: The addition of a new villain like someone from the magical realm (perhaps Black Adam’s former enemies) or a cosmic threat could elevate the stakes even higher.

Visual Style:

• The film would likely have an epic, blockbuster visual style, with mᴀssive action sequences and breathtaking CGI to depict the powers of both Black Adam and Superman. Expect epic battles in urban settings, with destruction on a large scale. Their battles would be dynamic, using fast-paced combat, heat vision, lightning, and superhuman strength.
• There would also be more grounded moments, where the emotional conflict between Superman and Black Adam is emphasized, focusing on facial expressions, dramatic close-ups, and poignant dialogue exchanges.

Music:

• The music for Black Adam vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice 2 would likely be composed by a renowned composer such as Hans Zimmer or Junkie XL, providing an intense, soaring orchestral score to match the high-stakes conflict. The music would balance action-packed beats with emotional undertones, particularly in moments of character reflection and confrontation.

Tone:

• The tone would be dark and dramatic, with high emotional stakes and philosophical debates about justice, morality, and power. The film would be more mature, exploring the complexities of both characters, while balancing the fast-paced action and blockbuster spectacle that fans expect.
• Themes of redemption, the cost of power, and the consequences of absolute justice versus nuanced justice would be explored.

Overall Expectations:

Black Adam vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice 2 (2025) would be a monumental film in the DC Universe, pitting two of its most powerful and morally complex characters against each other. Fans can expect intense action, character-driven moments, and an exploration of what it means to be a hero in a world where there are no clear lines between good and evil. With ideological differences, epic battles, and a potential team-up, this film would not only be a thrilling ride but also a deep exploration of justice and power in the modern superhero genre.

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain

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November 16, 1992 was the day which changed Suffolk-resident Eric Lawes’ life in a huge way. What he thought would have been an innocent search for a hammer he had misplaced on his farm in Hoxne Village, Suffolk, England ended up bringing him much more than he had bargained for — namely, uncovering the hiding spot of a long-hidden treasure. Based on the Guardian’s coverage of the story, Eric Lawes had been previously gifted a metal detector upon his retirement as a parting token. He decided to put his retirement gift to good use in order to locate the hammer which he had had some trouble finding. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article, when the device started recording that there was a strong signal coming from the earth, he knew that he was about to discover something big. As he started digging, it soon became clear to him that he had unearthed a treasure trove.

The Guardian reports that, when Lawes saw that his preliminary digging had yielded a few gold coins and silver spoons, he immediately contacted both the local archaeological society and the police department. Archaeologists came to the property the following day and had the area of earth holding the treasure carefully sectioned-off and removed. Their hope was that at a later stage, in their laboratory, they could examined the items in order to identify both their age and how they were stored.

When all was said and done, close to 60 pounds of items made from silver and gold were found on the site. These included more than 15,000 Roman coins, 200 gold objects, and several silver spoons. For archaeologists, this find — which later became labeled as the Hoxne Hoard — was an incredible discovery. AP News reported that archaeologist Judith Plouviez was over-the-moon about the discovery, saying that it was “an incredibly exciting and amazing find.” What’s more, another archaeologist, Rachel Wilkinson, told Smithsonian Magazine that this discovery was “the largest and latest ever found in Britain.”

Ordinarily, archaeologists would use radiocarbon dating as a means of identifying the age of ancient relics. However, they couldn’t locate any suitable material from the haul. Consequently, they determined the age by examining writing on the coins, as well as the ruler carved into them, estimating that the treasure was probably buried in either 408 or 409 AD.

Roman-era archaeologist Peter Guest told Smithsonian Magazine that “if you look at them a little more carefully, then they should be dated to the period after the separation of Britain from the Roman Empire.” He offers as part of his evidence the fact that almost all of the coins found in the Hoxne Hoard were clipped – in other words, small chunks of their edges had been taken off. These clippings would have been used to create coins which were similar to the Roman coins of that era.

Guest has a logical reason for this, arguing that “The Roman Empire wasn’t supplying Britain with new gold and silver coins, and in light of that, the population tried to get over this sudden cutoff in the supply of their precious metals by making the existing supplies go further.”

Archaeologists also believe that the treasure belonged to a Romano-British family. During that time, considering that there was so much societal discord and upheaval, it was common for Romans who had settled in Britain to bury their most prized possessions.

That said, one archaeologist is of the belief that the hoard had a lot of sentimental value for the Romano-British family to whom it is believed to have belonged. In her book The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Silver Plate, Catherine Johns claims that the manner in which the treasure was kept supported this claim. Some of the items which were recovered had been packaged in small, wooden boxes which were lined with leather. What’s more, pieces of wood, locks, and nails, among other things, surrounded the gold and silver pieces. This leads Catherine to assert that the package was carefully buried and not simply chucked away in a rush.

Interestingly enough, the items unearthed might shed some light on the identity of the family who owned them. They cite a gold bracelet bearing the inscription “UTERE FELIX DOMINA IULIANE,” which roughly translates to “use this happily Lady Juliane”. A second name “Aurelius Ursicinus” has also been discovered. This has consequently led some to believe that Juliane and Aurelius were the couple and the original owners of the treasure. That said, that has yet to be confirmed.

All in all, the discovery was a real treasure for archaeologists, and by extension, for Lawes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, in recognition of his discovery and willingness to contact authorities, the British government rewarded him with over £1.7 million, an amount which he shared with the farmer whose land was dug out in order to get the treasure. Funnily enough, apart from the treasure, Lawes also found his lost hammer — which now resides in the British Museum.