Shazam in August

Writer John August (CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY) let slip on his blog that he’d be writing the script for a upcoming DC comics movie only he couldn’t say which one. Speculation was rampant with some sites even tossing out confirmation that he was writing the proposed JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA movie. Not so. August in fact will be writing SHAZAM! for New Line. August will replace legendary writer William Goldman who had previously tried to get the project off the ground. Director Peter Segal approached August about coming aboard because he felt he had experience keeping big name projects grounded with character. Of the gig, August says, “What’s terrific about the character is that he looks like this superstudly superhero but is really a 13-year-old boy.” To ensure the film will stay faithful to the classic character, August is working with DC writer Geoff Johns. Segal is about to start filming on GET SMART with Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway. August has his directorial debut THE NINES hitting theaters later this year.