How MultiVersus cleverly roasts Black Adam’s failure and what it reveals about gaming’s evolving relationship with Hollywood
The Viral Clip That Started It All
A surprising moment in Warner Bros.’ platform fighter MultiVersus has gaming communities buzzing. Players discovered that The Joker, specifically when using ‘The Batman Who Laughs’ cosmetic skin, delivers a brutal verbal jab at Dwayne Johnson’s superhero film Black Adam.
The in-game taunt directly quotes Johnson’s own promotional rhetoric, asking: “Weren’t you supposed to be ‘rearranging the hierarchy’ or something?” This reference targets the actor’s repeated claims that his character would fundamentally shift power dynamics within the DC Extended Universe.
Multiversus taking shots at The Rock😭
Weren’t you supposed to be “rearranging the hierarchy” or something?
pic.twitter.com/k4aJcnxwIA
Unlike Nintendo’s approach with Super Smash Bros., which generally celebrates its included franchises, MultiVersus appears willing to engage in meta-commentary. This particular interaction suggests developers at Player First Games are aware of real-world cinematic failures and aren’t afraid to reference them.
Context: Why Black Adam Became a Punchline
Warner Bros.’ recent DC universe reboot under James Gunn has effectively rendered previous films like Black Adam obsolete. The studio’s decision to start fresh came after multiple projects failed to meet expectations, with Johnson’s vehicle being a particularly notable disappointment.
Financially, Black Adam struggled immensely. With a production budget reportedly around $260 million, the film needed to approach $650 million globally just to break even. It fell dramatically short, grossing only $393 million worldwide. This commercial failure was compounded by a dismal 38% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Some added context for those that don’t knowhttps://t.co/FHFCbOacGF pic.twitter.com/1iIDdlrHAb
Johnson’s promotional strategy arguably backfired. He consistently positioned Black Adam as a franchise-altering event, claiming it would “rearrange the hierarchy of power” in the DC universe. This created expectations the film couldn’t possibly meet, making the quote particularly ripe for mockery when the project flopped.
Common Mistake to Avoid: Overhyping a project before release. Johnson’s approach created unrealistic expectations that made the failure more pronounced. Content creators and marketers should focus on delivering value rather than making grand, unverifiable claims.
Fan Theories: Intentional Shade or Coincidence?
Across social media platforms, numerous fans have dissected the clip, with many concluding the reference was absolutely intentional. One prevailing theory suggests this represents “payback from the developers” for being pressured to feature Black Adam prominently during MultiVersus’s initial marketing phase.
The speculation aligns with reports that Johnson aggressively promoted his character across Warner Bros. properties. Fans recall Black Adam receiving substantial focus in early MultiVersus trailers and promotional material, potentially at the expense of other characters.
Community sentiment largely agrees with one fan’s observation: “Even MultiVersus is taking shots at the failure of the Black Adam movie.” This consensus highlights how publicly the film’s shortcomings are acknowledged within entertainment circles.
Further supporting the intentionality theory is the specific skin choice. The Batman Who Laughs represents a corrupted, cynical version of Batman from the Dark Nights: Metal comic series—a character known for brutal honesty and mockery, making him the perfect vessel for this meta-commentary.
Optimization Tip for Advanced Players: Pay attention to character skin choices and voice lines in fighting games. Developers often hide commentary, Easter eggs, or meta-jokes in these details that casual players might miss.
Broader Implications for Gaming and Hollywood Crossovers
This incident represents a significant shift in how video games interact with Hollywood properties. Traditionally, licensed games served as promotional tools, but MultiVersus demonstrates games can now offer critique and commentary on their source material.
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The gaming community’s reaction reveals changing power dynamics. Where once film studios dictated game content, developers now exercise creative autonomy, even when it means mocking failed studio projects. This could influence future licensing agreements and creative control negotiations.
For the DC Universe specifically, this moment underscores the complete break from previous iterations. As James Gunn’s reboot progresses, references to the old DCEU—especially its failures—may become more common across Warner Bros.’ gaming portfolio.
Practical Strategy: When analyzing cross-media franchises, monitor how games reference their source material. Increasingly, these references offer insight into behind-the-scenes relationships and creative tensions that aren’t visible through official channels.
Practical Insights for Gamers and Content Creators
While Player First Games hasn’t officially commented on pursuing specific thematic directions, leaks suggest they’ll continue incorporating superhero content. The Black Adam roast demonstrates how character interactions can carry meaning beyond simple gameplay mechanics.
For Content Creators: This incident provides excellent material for analysis videos. Focus on: 1) The specific quote’s origin in Johnson’s interviews, 2) Black Adam’s financial metrics versus its hype, 3) How game developers incorporate real-world events, and 4) What this signals about Warner Bros.’ internal culture.
For Gamers: Use this as a case study in gaming literacy. Modern games frequently contain layered references requiring knowledge of film, comics, and industry drama. Developing this literacy enhances appreciation and helps you spot similar Easter eggs in other titles.
Common Mistake: Assuming all in-game content is apolitical or disconnected from real events. As this incident shows, developers increasingly weave contemporary commentary into gameplay experiences, especially in games featuring licensed characters.
Optimization Tip: When exploring games with multiple franchises like MultiVersus, maintain a checklist of recent controversies or failures related to included properties. This preparation helps you immediately recognize when developers are making intentional references.
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » MultiVersus slams Dwayne Johnson’s Black Adam DC failings How MultiVersus cleverly roasts Black Adam's failure and what it reveals about gaming's evolving relationship with Hollywood