Review Shazam (2019)

[Doctor Omega]

Your thoughts on this movie.....

We all have a superhero inside us, it just takes a bit of magic to bring it out. In Billy Batson's case, by shouting out one word - SHAZAM! - this streetwise 14-year-old foster kid can turn into the adult superhero Shazam.

On to the sequel......

SHAZAM II.........

https://www.imdforums.com/threads/shazam-2-in-development.6888/

 

[Doctor Omega]

 

[Doctor Omega]

 

[Doctor Omega]

“Shazam” Sets Early 2018 Start Date





The upcoming film adaptation of the DC Comics title “Shazam” looks to be the next DC Cinematic Universe feature to head into production.

THR reports that David Sandberg (“Annabelle: Creation”) is aiming to have the film in front of cameras by January or February next year with a 2019 release looking likely.

In the comics, teenager Billy Batson can transform into superhero form – his adult alter ego Shazam – and wields the power of six mythological gods.

It is unclear whether Dwayne Johnson, who has long been attached to play villain Black Adam, will be involved. Peter Safran is in negotiations to serve as producer.

 

[Doctor Omega]

“Shazam” Film Aims To Be Light-Hearted





“Lights Out” and “Annabelle: Creation” director David F. Sandberg has revealed that the upcoming DCEU feature “Shazam,” which he’s helming, will be quite different in tone to the other DCEU films so far.

At last report “Jack the Giant Slayer” scribe Darren Lemke penned the script for the film which has Peter Safran set to produce. Speaking with The Toronto Sun, Sandberg says:

“The big attraction for me with that character is the fact that every kid dreams of being Superman, right? I mean I certainly did, and (Billy Batson) is a kid that gets that chance. He gets to become the superhero.

So it’ll be big with superpowers in a way. In terms of what people can expect, I think this will be one of the more fun or lighthearted movies so far in the DC universe. It certainly will be a departure.”

Dwayne Johnson will not appear as the villain Black Adam in the film, that character being developed in his own solo film before he encounters Shazam.

“Shazam” is targeting an April 5th 2019 release.

 

[Doctor Omega]

“Shazam” Is The Next DC Film To Shoot





Filmmaker David F. Sandberg, currently still doing promotional work for “Annabelle Creation,” says that not only does his film adaptation of the DC Comics title “Shazam” have a finished script, but “it’s the next DC movie to shoot” following the currently in reshoots “Justice League” and currently in production “Aquaman”.

Asked by Filmriot (via HH) what Shazam/Captain Marvel comics he’s drawing inspiration from, Sandberg says he’s going through all of them:

“I’m taking it all in. Some of those really old ones are quite fun, when he’s, like, fighting Hitler. Stuff like that. No, cause he’s been around since the 40s for, like, as long as Superman.

So there’s a lot to read and that’s also interesting because he sort of has a couple of different origin stories or a couple of different takes on it. You know, you have the most recent sort of Geoff Johns version and then you have Ordwell version and then you have those really old versions.”

He says the decision to ditch nemesis Black Adam (Dwayne Johnson) is so that the focus is solely on its young hero Billy Batson:

“There’ve been variations of the script, like before I came along, where… you know, variations where Black Adam was in and out and, you know. But now, this is about Shazam.”

“Shazam” presently does not have a release date, though previously an April 5th 2019 date has been suggested.

 

[Doctor Omega]

“Shazam” Won’t Digitally De-Age Its Lead





After helming two solidly received horror films in the form of “Lights Out” and “Annabelle Creation,” filmmaker David F. Sandberg is headed to the DC Extended Universe with the “Shazam” movie as his next project.

Of course that film is different to other superhero films in that the character’s secret identity and his superhero persona are, like Jekyll and Hyde, effectively two different people within one. There has been rumor that the film was going to cast a big name for Shazam and then digitally de-age them for the scenes focusing on teenager Billy Batson.

In a new interview with Collider, Sandberg has shot down that rumor and says the plan is to simply get two actors:

“I wouldn’t want to do that [digital de-aging]. That seems like way too much of a hassle. So I think it’s just kind of best to have a kid and an adult… I mean Kurt Russell in the latest Guardians was really well made I thought, but I think there’s a limit to it as well. You probably can’t do someone to be a kid. Why create that hassle for yourself?”

Asked about the project’s current status, he says he’s “pretty much going into Shazam! right away” and, like between “Lights Out” and “Annabelle,” there’s no real down time for him as he’s jumping from one project to the next.

 

[Gavin]

So I think it’s just kind of best to have a kid and an adult…

Definitely the right move - only challenge is that the kid will age significantly between movies which could cause challenges.

 

[filmfan95]

LOL. When I saw the topic title, at first I thought this was going to be about the Sinbad genie movie that so many people claim existed. Haha. I forgot about the other Shazam.

 

[Doctor Omega]

Cena & Sasse Rumored To Play “Shazam”





John Cena and Joshua Sasse have reportedly emerged as candidates for the titular role in “Shazam,” the upcoming film adaptation of the DC Comics title according to That Hashtag Show.

In the comics, teenager Billy Batson can transform into superhero form – his adult alter ego Shazam – and wields the power of six mythological gods. The pair are up for the adult role with the teenager yet to be cast.

Screen tests have reportedly already taken place and spawned “a third, dark horse contender” for the lead role – though that person has “seemingly fallen out of favor”.

Cena has established a name for himself in film with roles in the likes of “The Wall” and “Trainwreck” in recent years, and is currently filming the “Bumblebee” spin-off. Sasse is best known for TV work on shows like “Galavant” and “No Tomorrow”.

Filmmaker David F. Sandberg has hinted that official casting will be announced soon as the project is officially in pre-production ahead of filming early next year for a 2019 release.

 

[Doctor Omega]

Zachary Levi To Play DC’s “Shazam”






“Chuck” star and one of the Warriors Three from the “Thor” films, actor Zachary Levi, has been cast in the title role in the upcoming DC comics adaptation “Shazam!” at New Line.

The story follows a boy named Billy Batson, who can transform into an adult superhero (Levi) by uttering the magic word “Shazam!”. The name is an acronym of the ancient world gods and historical figures Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles and Mercury.

David F. Sandberg is directing from a screenplay by Henry Gayden and Darren Lemke. Sandberg and Peter Safran are producing and the project is eyeing a February production start in Toronto ahead of a 2019 release.

As previously reported, the film is being developed concurrently with a film focusing on Shazam villain Black Adam to star Dwayne Johnson. Johnson won’t appear in “Shazam!”.

 

[McQualude]

As a kid I loved the idea of Shazam, something catchy about it. And I enjoyed the TV show.

 

[Doctor Omega]

Asher Angel Is Billy Batson In “Shazam!”





Asher Angel (Disney Channel’s “Andi Mack”) will play Billy Batson, the boy who can transform into the adult superhero Shazam (Zachary Levi), in the upcoming DC Comics adaptation “Shazam!” at Warner Bros. Pictures.

In the comics Billy can transform into the superhero by uttering the magic word. Mark Strong is already in talks to play the villain and Grace Fulton in line for a lead in the film which aims to begin production early next year.

David F. Sandberg (“Annabelle: Creation”) is directing from a screenplay by Henry Gayden and Darren Lemke.

 

[Doctor Omega]

A photo of “Shazam!” actors Asher Angel and Zachary Levi meeting for the first time together at the “Justice League” premiere has gone online. Angel will play the young Billy Batson who becomes the titular hero (Levi)

 

[Doctor Omega]

Cooper Andrews Joins The “Shazam!” Film






“The Walking Dead” alum Cooper Andrews has joined the cast of the David F. Sandberg-directed “Shazam!” film from DC Comics and New Line.

In the film, Billy Batson (Asher Angel) is able to transform into the adult superhero Shazam (Zachary Levi) by uttering the moniker, an acronym of the ancient world gods and historical figures Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles and Mercury.

Andrews will play the foster parent at the group home where Billy lives. Jack Dylan Grazer, Grace Fulton, Ian Chen and Jovan Armand also co-star in the film which Henry Gayden and Darren Lemke penned and which Peter Safran is producing.

Filming begins early next year for an April 2019 release.

 

[Doctor Omega]

“Shazam” Star Compares DC Film To “Big”





While the DC Film universe undergoes an overhaul behind the scenes, one of the few films from that stable that looks pretty safe and certain is the “Shazam” film starring a young homeless teen named Billy Batson who can transform into the costumed adult superhero Shazam who effectively has the powers of Superman.

“Chuck” and “Thor” actor Zachary Levi takes on the superhero version of the character and while out promoting the two-part season finale of Disney Channel’s “Tangled: The Series,” he spoke with Collider about his excitement for his superhero role:

“I can’t tell you much, as you can probably imagine, but what I can say is I am just out of my mind excited! I get to do my version of Big, basically. It’s like Superman meets Big, and that’s just so fun. I get to be a superhero that’s excited about being a superhero, and I think that’s refreshing. It’s not glum, and like, ‘Oh, I have to save the world again.’ So I think it’s all really gravy.”

It’s not yet clear if “Shazam” will be a standalone film or a part of the larger official DC Films canon which could see him teaming with members of the “Justice League”. Asked which actor he’d love to see cameo in the “Shazam” film he says:

“Wonder Woman, because she’s awesome. I think getting a cameo from anybody would be super cool, but I just think Gal Gadot is so effervescent. She has such a charm. And she seems like a really cool broad. Like, she was in the Israeli army. She’s a mom. And I’m like, ‘You seem like you’re grounded and cool, and you’re Wonder Woman, and you rock.’ And I think it would be really funny to have the 14-year-old Billy Batson inside of Shazam that’s really awkward around this beautiful Amazonian. I just think that would be really awesome.”

The film is slated to go into production shortly ahead of an April 2019 release. Another DC film in the works is “Green Lantern Corps.” and IGN got a brief update from producer David Goyer about it this week with the writer/producer saying though the film is still in the works, he doesn’t know when we’ll hear anything more about it due to the DC Films overhaul now underway.

 

[Doctor Omega]

Shazam
Warner Bros. Pictures has confirmed that David F. Sandberg’s upcoming “Shazam” film, based on the DC Comics title, has scored an official release date of April 5th 2019. The film, which will also be shown in IMAX, has that date to itself for now.

Asher Angel is set to star in the film as teenager Billy Batson with Zachary Levi taking on the titular hero and his alter ego. Mark Strong will play the villain, Doctor Sivana. Jack Dylan Grazer, Grace Fulton, Ian Chen and Jovan Armand co-star. [Source: Warner Bros. Pictures]

 

[Doctor Omega]

More Details On “Shazam” Characters





New role breakdowns for the upcoming movie adaptation of the DC Comics title “Shazam” appears to reveal some of the other characters set to join the film.

That Hashtag Show revealed the breakdown which confirms Mark Strong will star as the villain Dr. Thaddeus Bodog Sivana, and it looks like he’s going to have some backup as other characters in the film include his devoted daughter Beautia who will change her loyalties.

There’s also his oldest son, the giant and strong Magnificus, and the elderly wizard Shazam who is forced to give his powers to a young boy before the boy is ready.

Additionally, the breakdown for Dr. Sivana suggests he’s a full sorcerer as opposed to a scientist who dabbles in it. In the film, he “regenerates from death with world domination on his mind.”

Finally, there’s “mysterious man,” a cameo role described only as Shazam’s underling. “Shazam” opens in cinemas on April 19th 2019.

 

[Doctor Omega]

Ron Cephas Jones In Talks For “Shazam”





Ron Cephas Jones (“This Is Us,” “Luke Cage”) is reportedly in talks to play The Wizard in the “Shazam” movie at Warner Bros. Pictures and DC Films.

The character is a wizened old figure at the Rock of Eternity who bestows teenager Billy Batson (Asher Angel) with his awesome mythological powers which turn him into the adult superhero Shazam (Zachary Levi).

Mark Strong, Grace Fulton, Jack Dylan Grazer, Ian Chen and Jovan Armand also star. Filming is slated to begin next month ahead of an April 5th 2019 release.

 

[Doctor Omega]

Cavill Rumored For “Shazam” Appearance






A new rumor has surfaced in the past few days indicating that actor Henry Cavill will make his next appearance as Superman in the upcoming “Shazam!” film at Warner Bros. Pictures reports Revenge of the Fans.

“Shazam” famously isn’t going to feature Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as Black Adam, Shazam’s main villain in the comics, due to the character getting his own solo film first. Johnson previously indicated he spoke to Cavill regarding a possible cameo.

However with the “Black Adam” solo movie on the backburner, a “Man of Steel” sequel years off, and Black Adam rumored as the potential antagonist of the “Suicide Squad” sequel, Cavill isn’t slated to reprise his Superman role for a fourth time anytime in the near future.

That would change if this report turns out to be true as “Shazam” is getting ready to start filming next month, with speculation being Cavill’s Superman will be involved in a possible flashback sequence involving the teen Billy Batson who becomes the adult Shazam.

Marta Milans recently joined the film’s cast which includes Asher Angel as Billy, Jack Dylan Grazer as Freddy, Grace Fulton as Mary, and Zachary Levi as the titular hero. The movie opens April 2019.