Zachary Levi (Thor films, Chuck, Tangled) will play “world’s mightiest mortal” in DC adaptation Shazam!, director David F. Sandberg confirmed today on Instagram!
Created in 1939 by artist C. C. Beck and writer Bill Parker, Shazam first appeared in Fawcett Comics’ Whiz Comics #2. By saying the world “Shazam,” teenager Billy Batson was transformed into the “world’s mightiest mortal” and given extraordinary abilities by ancient gods. It has not been revealed who will play Billy yet.
Sandberg is directing for New Line Cinema. He recently confirmed that the target release date for the film is April 2019. The Lights Out and Annabelle: Creation director will step behind the camera with Peter Safran producing. Henry Gayden and Darren Lemke wrote the script for Shazam!, which is scheduled to shoot in Vancouver next year.
Dwayne Johnson will not appear as the villain Black Adam in the film and is developing a solo film for the anti-hero as a separate project. Without Black Adam, the most well known villain for the hero, there aren’t many villains left for Shazam to tussle with. One potential replacement villain could be Doctor Sivana, who made his debut with the hero in Whiz Comics #2 in 1940.
Levi can be seen reprising the role of Fandral in Thor: Ragnarok next week. He’s also voicing Tangled: The Series.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
