Things seem to really be cranking, now, for DC Entertainment's SHAZAM! Recently, we'd learned that CHUCK male lead Zachary Levi will be suiting up as the film's titular hero. Then, it was revealed that Undateable creator Adam Sztykiel was tapped to pen the film's script. Now, we've got the confirmed casting of ANNABELLE: CREATION's Grace Fulton for the upcoming superhero event, along with KINGSMAN: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE actor Mark Strong in talks to star in a villain role.
SHAZAM! will tell the fantastic tale of Billy Batson, a young boy who can transform into an adult superhero by reciting the word "Shazam!" According to DC Comics lore, the magical name is an acronym of the ancient gods and historical figures Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury, who Batson derives his heroic attributes from when in adult form. The powers were bestowed upon Batson by a powerful wizard, who believes the world needs heroes like Billy to tip the scales against evil.
Fulton will step onto the film as one of Billy Batson's friends, while Strong is said to be in talks to play Thaddeus Sivana – Dr. Sivana, if you've done your reading. According to DCWikia: Doctor Thaddeus Bodog Sivana, Sr. is Shazam's arch nemesis. Regarded as a brilliant and evil mastermind, he is arguably the archetype for the "mad scientist". Sivana was the first to figure out Shazam's identity, and has been a constant pest to the Big Red Cheese (as he prefers to call the broad-chested hero). He has been associated with the Monster Society of Evil and the Secret Society. He also had a son, Thaddeus Sivana, Jr., and a daughter, Georgia Sivana, who both resemble him.
David F. Sandberg is set to direct the feature from a screenplay penned by Henry Gayden and Darren Lemke while ANNABELLE CREATION's Peter Safran will produce. Provided that everything remains on track, filming for SHAZAM! will begin ahead of FLASHPOINT, Joss Whedon's BATGIRL, and the SUICIDE SQUAD sequel as helmed by Gavin O' Connor.
SHAZAM! is scheduled for an April 5, 2019 release.