Cast This: Shazam!

Last Updated on July 31, 2021

In 2019, we will be graced with a big screen adaptation of the DC Comics hero Shazam! The only real item of note that has been announced is that Dwayne Johnson will be playing main antagonist known as Black Adam. While the movie is still three years away, meaning a lot can change between now and then, it wouldn’t hurt to go to the drawing board with some suggestions as to who might take on the iconic character.

Previously known as Captain Marvel, Shazam/Billy Batson has been fighting crime on comic book pages for decades; Billy’s origins are similar to some other comic book favorites – he was orphaned at a young age, led by a mysterious stranger and bought before the ancient wizard Shazam in the Rock of Eternity where he is chosen to receive the powers of Captain Marvel. Whenever Billy says the word "Shazam!", a magical lightning bolt strikes him, and he becomes the adult Captain Marvel, though he still has Billy’s intellect and personality. Each letter in "Shazam" corresponds with one of the magical abilities Billy inherited from various Greek and Roman characters: S for the Wisdom of Solomon; H for the Strength of Hercules; A for the Stamina of Atlas; Z for the Power of Zeus; A for the Courage of Achilles and M for the Speed of Mercury.

When the character was rebooted in 2012 as part of the New 52, he was renamed Shazam and now Billy has to say "Shazam!" with good intentions to become the superhero rather than simply say it. Sounds like a lot of fun, doesn’t it? No actor has been announced yet to play Shazam, so let’s get to work shall we?

First on my list would be Armie Hammer; I personally think size does matter when you’re being matched up with The Rock. He may need to hit the gym but the 6'5" actor shouldn’t have any problem keeping up with the action considering his solid work in THE LONE RANGER and THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. He’s in need of a hit however, and what better way at giving that a shot than with your own superhero franchise?

The frustratingly good looking Joe Manganiello would also make the cut for me. He’s tall, dark, and handsome – the makings of a superhero if there ever was one right? He’s also charming and funny as seen in the MAGIC MIKE movies, or so I’m told. What’s holding him back from having a light actioner to call his own beats the hell out of me.

Then there is Liam Hemsworth; being the brother to Thor isn’t such a bad gig seeing how he got that HUNGER GAMES role, right? He’s done his share of action (EXPENDABLES 2, EMPIRE STATE) and could make for a great superhero I imagine. What do you guys think? Who could you see being cast when the time comes? What about TV Superman Tom Welling? He's no stranger to genre and to date hasn't really made any impact on the big screen. I've heard Jake Gyllenhaal's name being dropped in to conversations about the role, how would that strike you?

Who would you like to see take on the role of Shazam? 

RESULTS – CAST THIS: The Last of Us 

JOEL: 1. Josh Brolin  2. Hugh Jackman  3. Jeffrey Dean Morgan  ELLIE 1. Ellen Page  2. Elle Fanning  3. Maisie Williams