After BATMAN V. SUPERMAN was met with criticism for being a bit too downtrodden, Hollywood insiders began to wonder if the darker style of the films (as compared to Marvel’s lighter tone) could be a negative for future movies. Though a case could be made that staring at a grimacing Batman and Superman was a plus, it seems DC took the notes as future movies plan on being more buoyant and colorful, and word from the director of SHAZAM! – David F. Sandberg – has confirmed that his movie will indeed be a departure from previously darker films.
While speaking with the Toronto Sun to promote his upcoming ANNABELLE: CREATION, Sandberg talked about how his SHAZAM! will use the story of a kid (Billy Batson) becoming a superhero to make the movie the most “lighthearted” of all the DCEU movies thus far:
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.
Making a light movie would also be a departure for Sandberg himself, as the director’s other two credits – LIGHTS OUT and this month’s ANNABELLE: CREATION – are horror movies, which by nature tend to not be so joyful. It was announced recently that SHAZAM! would be the next DCEU movie to begin production, with a release date slated for 2019.
MAN OF STEEL, BVS and SUICIDE SQUAD were certainly more grounded in terms of style and favored a darker look instead of something vibrant like we’ve seen from Marvel. Some fans have enjoyed this stylistic decision, while others have cited it as a reason for the movies' bad reception. This year’s WONDER WOMAN was a departure from those movies, favoring a lighter, more hopeful tone, and is so far the highest grossing (domestically) film in the slate.
I think Sandberg has the right idea in mind when it comes to making the movie, as the tale of Batson going from wistful child to godly superhero is a life we all dreamed of having in our youth – and maybe even still do. Taking that innocent sense of whimsy and spirit and meshing it with big-budget thrills is a recipe for an exciting, refreshing entry in the genre.
SHAZAM! is aiming for a 2019 release.