In several ways, SHAZAM is the ultimate superhero fantasy for kids. Instead of being impossibly wealthy or born of another planet, all one needs to do in order to transform into a superhero is say one word – Shazam! – and boom, you've now got incredible powers. In the new film directed by David F. Sandberg, inspired by the 80-year-old comic book, young Billy Batson gains extraordinary powers, and transforms into an adult, after being deemed worthy by a powerful wizard. While it's all fun and games for a while, Billy must ultimately use his newfound abilities to stop the sinister Dr. Sivana, who craves what Billy now has.
I'll say this: the film is a lot of fun, and the cast goes a long way toward making it as entertaining as it is. I was fortunate to recently spend some time with the main players and talk all things SHAZAM! which opens April 5th.
We start with the man himself, Zachary Levi. Levi plays the adult version of Billy in the film, and his youthful exuberance fully sells the fantasy. While known by plenty for starring in the comedy series Chuck, as well as getting some screentime as Thor comrade Fandral, Levi has never had a role quite as large as this, and it's clear Levi's loving every moment of it. Here we talk channeling his inner child, his relationship to the character growing up and what he envisions for the future of Shazam!
One huge part of SHAZAM's legacy is the friendship between Billy Batson and Freddy Freeman, and thankfully the film gets this important element just right. Asher Angel plays the brooding young Billy, while Jack Dylan Grazer – in a scene-stealing turn – plays Freddy, whose limited physical abilities are offset by his biting sarcasm and good-nature. Angel, Graser and I spoke about the anticipation for SHAZAM to finally hit the big screen, Graser's terrific chemistry with Levi and the possibility of Freddy and Wonder Woman hooking up.
Mark Strong is no stranger to villainous roles, and his turn in SHAZAM could be his nastiest yet. Strong takes on the role of Dr. Thaddeus Sivana, a man boiling with years of resentment after not being granted the powers of SHAZAM (while still gaining some startling abilities himself). So, like any good bad guy, he decides he's going to take it out on the world. Strong and I spoke about how this baddie stacks up against the rest he's played, the power of a good outfit,