AFTER contributing to several minor projects over the years, Jamaican-born actor and director Errol Napier has landed his biggest role to date. He plays Magician Number 2 in the Hollywood blockbuster Black Adam, which stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

“I am a member of the Screen Actors Guild, and it was either myself or agent that sent up myself for the role once we saw that there was an opening. I got the audition and did a self-tape and within a week I got it,” Napier told the Jamaica Observer from his Atlanta-based home.

Napier said his character bestowed the gift of swiftness on Black Adam, which was a unique experience for him for multiple reasons.

“I had to learn a completely different language. I also had to do some chanting. It sounds almost like Egyptian,” he said, adding that it was a pleasure to be acquainted with the star.

“I met The Rock briefly on set and he was really easy-going and mannerly — a very nice guy,” Napier continued.

Black Adam officially opened in theatres on Friday. It tells the story of Teth Adam (played by The Rock) who is bestowed the powers of the gods. After using these powers for vengeance he was imprisoned, becoming Black Adam. Nearly 5,000 years has passed, and Black Adam is gone from man to legend. Now free, his unique form of justice, born out of rage, is challenged by modern-day heroes who form the Justice Society: Hawkman, Dr Fate, Atom Smasher, and Cyclone.

In addition to The Rock, Black Adam also stars Noah Centineo, Viola Davis, Sarah Shahi, Quintessa Swindell, and Pierce Brosnan.

According to Deadline, Black Adam’s expected opening of US$60m-US$62m by many measures is a solid start, and is the best domestic debut for Dwayne Johnson outside of an ensemble movie (Mummy Returns at a US$68M debut was a Brendan Fraser vehicle back in 2001). It looks to even beat the Fast & Furious spinoff Hobbs and Shaw in which Johnson costarred with Jason Statham, that film opening to US$60.03M. Friday repped the Rock’s Best Opening Day in a solo star vehicle, now at US$26.8M.

Hailing from Spaulding in Manchester, Napier attended Spalding Primary and Knox College before moving to Church Teachers’ College in Manchester where he studied secondary education English, art, and history. He taught those subjects at St Andrew Technical before migrating in 1972.

Napier said he has been involved with projects such as Underwiters Undercover, A Song For My Brothers, and Late Bloomer Missing Puddin’.

He now teaches acting on a freelance basis.

Napier further said his favourite Jamaican film is The Harder They Come, which he missed being a contributor to because he migrated that same year. He believes it is cinematic brilliance.

“Back in those days, leaving Jamaica and coming to the US to do acting, people asked if I was crazy, but that is what I wanted to do,” he said while reflecting on the choice he made 50 years ago.

He is currently auditioning for an unnamed Tyler Perry production but was unable to disclose much.

Napier hopes to some day help to develop the local film scene.

“It has a long way to go. It needs some good teachers and directions in terms of content and in terms of directing. I would love to come back and do workshops once there’s an opportunity,” he said.