While we’re now less than month away from finally launching theJustice Leaguemovie into theaters, DC Films is also hard at work crafting new superhero stories under the DC Cinematic Universe banner—and the next majornewDC superhero has been cast.THRreports thatChuckstarZachary Levihas landed the lead role in the DC Comics adaptationShazam!, which is the next DC film to go into production early next year afterAquamanjust recently wrapped filming.
The story follows a boy named Billy Batson who has the power to transform into an adult superhero simply by uttering the magic word “Shazam!”. THR notes that the name Shazam is an acronym made up of “the ancient world gods and historical figures Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury, from which the big Batson derives his heroic attributes when in adult form,” which may be how this new character fits into the Greek mythology-infused world of the DCEU. Indeed, when directorZack SnydercraftedBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, he approached the characters like icons in Greek mythology, and Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot)isthe daughter of Zeus.
David F. Sandberg, the filmmaker behind the small-budget mega-hit horror filmLights Outand this year’s successful prequelAnnabelle: Creation, is directingShazam!for New Line Cinema, the Warner Bros. banner that is handling this particular DC film. The movie is expected to take place within the DC Extended Universe and will be in continuity with movies likeAquamanandJustice League, meaning Levi could potentially be sharing the screen with the likes of Gal Gadot orBen Afflecksomewhere down the line.
While some fans (andDwayne Johnson) pushed forArmie Hammerto be cast as Shazam, it was Levi—a veteran of the small screen who also stars in Netflix’s upcomingAlias Grace—who came away with the role. Interestingly enough, Levi is also part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as he plays Fandral inThor: The Dark WorldandThor: Ragnarok.
THR notes thatJohn Cena,Derek Theler(ABC Family’sBaby Daddy),Zane Holtz(From Dusk Til Dawn: The Series0,Jake McDorman(theLimitlessTV series), andBilly Magnussen(Into the Woods) were also in the mix, so clearly Sandberg and New Line had a specific type in mind.
New Line Cinema is concurrently developing a separate movie focusing onShazam!villain Black Adam with Dwayne Johnson in that lead role, butShazam!is moving forward first as Johnson’s schedule is booked solid.Henry Gayden(Earth to Echo) andDarren Lemke(Goosebumps,Shrek Forever After) are the current credited screenwriters on theShazam!movie, and filming is poised to begin in February 2018.
It’s unclear what DC film will move into production afterShazam!, butFlashpoint,Joss Whedon’sBatgirl, andaSuicide Squadsequelseem to be the closest to the starting line as those three films are currently in active development.
No official release date forShazam!has been confirmed, but for our full list of upcoming superhero movie release dates,click here.
