Should Captain Marvel take the serious approach, or be turned into a comedy?

[Lone Wolf]

It was announced that Peter Segal would be helming the project of SHAZAM!, or simply Captain Marvel to some. Most of Segal's previous films have been comedies, which leads some to believe that he'll take that same route with this film. Even the idea of bringing in Adam Sandler again has been brought up, and portray Billy Batson as an adult rather then a teenager in truth to the comics.

Though, a lot think Segal could overcome all that and make this film really work well on screen. Such as Billy actually being a boy and meeting the wizard Shazam who blesses him with the powers of Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury, after secretly saying the wizard's own name.

The purpose of this thread is so the topic could be properly discussed, and I want to hear all your opinions of it how you think this film should be outlined as.

[Manic]

Let me get this straight...

We're talking about a 10 year old kid who says the word "shazam" and turns into a superhero nicknamed "The Big Red Cheese," and you're asking if it should take the serious approach?

[Kent Allard]

I think it'd be best if the movie hit a balance somewhere in between Sky High and The Incredibles.

[JackBauer]

yep, a good balance between comedy and action is the way to go. kind of like Lethal Weapon.

[Flame on!]

yep, a good balance between comedy and action is the way to go. kind of like Lethal Weapon.
Oh yeah, Captain Marvel should be just like Lethal Weapon...

[JackBauer]

I'm not saying JUST like Lethal Weapon. I just don't want it to be too kiddy like Sky High.

with Lethal Weapon, it's a humorous action movie. like Cap Marvel should be. it's not serious, nor comic.

[Lone Wolf]

Let me get this straight...

We're talking about a 10 year old kid who says the word "shazam" and turns into a superhero nicknamed "The Big Red Cheese," and you're asking if it should take the serious approach?

"The Big Red Cheese" was a name given to him by his arch-villain, Dr. Sivana. Fans hailed it is a nickname for Captain Marvel, but he's not just known as that too some. He's known as "The World's Mightiest Mortal."

And yes. With a solid script it can take that approach, even though Segal doesn't have the best resume. This film could really be depicted well on screen, from what the comics based the character upon, if done right.

yep, a good balance between comedy and action is the way to go. kind of like Lethal Weapon.

Exactly. Not completly like Lethal Weapon, but outlined around something close to it.

[The Guard]

Why does SHAZAM have to be "like" some other movie? Why can't it be in a league all it's own?

[Mrh7448]

I think it needs to have a balance. I'm sorry I don't think I could ever really take Captain Marvel completely seriously as a character. If it's too overdramatic I don't think it will work, but if it's an action/comedy it could definitely work.

They should definitely stay with the kid becoming a big guy though, that concept's just to priceless to give up.

[Lone Wolf]

They should definitely stay with the kid becoming a big guy though, that concept's just to priceless to give up.

Agreed. That's something they shouldn't change at all, I don't like the idea of making Billy an adult. Only because it was him being a boy that made it so popular after he shouted out "Shazam," back when the character debuted till today. Same went for Mary Marvel, and Captain Marvel Jr.

[Philly Phanboy]

I'm not saying JUST like Lethal Weapon. I just don't want it to be too kiddy like Sky High.

with Lethal Weapon, it's a humorous action movie. like Cap Marvel should be. it's not serious, nor comic.

:up:

Some humor, yes but definitely not to the point where it it turns into something that you'd see on SNL. Something more along the lines of "The Fifth Element" where there is action, a real story and the humor is used properly.

[Dr. Fate]

It should be serious with occasional touches of humor.

[HR-PUFF&STUFF]

well they should give him a new costume thats black and dark red, the one in the comics is too pink, and lose the cape, and he shouldn't fly. and at the end of the movie cap can fight poller bears

[Dr. Fate]

well they should give him a new costume thats black and dark red, the one in the comics is too pink, and lose the cape, and he shouldn't fly. and at the end of the movie cap can fight poller bears
That's disgusting.

[Lone Wolf]

well they should give him a new costume thats black and dark red, the one in the comics is too pink, and lose the cape, and he shouldn't fly. and at the end of the movie cap can fight poller bears

If you're joking, it's not the least bit amusing. Does this honestly look "pink" too you?

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/764/shazamalexrossposterbig2ao.th.jpg (http://img81.imageshack.us/my.php?image=shazamalexrossposterbig2ao.jpg)

[Manic]

It was clearly a joke, folks. I mean, polar bears?

[Steelsheen]

hmmm, you got to have humour with Captain Marvel, because well... its CAPTAIN MARVEL :D

but.....

there has got to be momments-- like his origin tale for example, that must be treated with great care and respect, so yes seriousness would be in order, with a good dose of awe-inspiring.

ultimately this movie has got to have heart. if there is one superhero movie that is a defacto family movie, its Captain Marvel :)

[JackBauer]

It was clearly a joke, folks. I mean, polar bears?

he was channeling his inner Jon Peters. why anyone would willingly do that to themselves is beyond me.

[dpm07]

It should be serious with occasional touches of humor.

This is how I feel, too.

[Lone Wolf]

hmmm, you got to have humour with Captain Marvel, because well... its CAPTAIN MARVEL :D

but.....

there has got to be momments-- like his origin tale for example, that must be treated with great care and respect, so yes seriousness would be in order, with a good dose of awe-inspiring.

ultimately this movie has got to have heart. if there is one superhero movie that is a defacto family movie, its Captain Marvel :)

The origin should be exactly how the comics depicted it. Billy made his living by selling newspapers, and living with his uncle after his parents death. Billy's uncle ended up getting rid of him, and keeping his inheritance for himself. That's when a mysterious stranger asks Billy to follow him toward a subway station, not telling him that he works for the wizard Shazam and is leading him to his secret lair. Shazam reveals to Billy that he has chosen him to helm the powers of Captain Marvel after shouting the wizards own name.

Atleast that should taken seriously, then a bit of humor could be added to the film.

[dnno1]

If you're joking, it's not the least bit amusing. Does this honestly look "pink" too you?

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/764/shazamalexrossposterbig2ao.th.jpg (http://img81.imageshack.us/my.php?image=shazamalexrossposterbig2ao.jpg)

There are only a few guys in red suits who would be taken seriously:

http://www.bulletin.uwaterloo.ca/images/19990901dudley.jpg
Canadian Mounted Police
(scene taken form "Dudley Dooright")

http://www.surfnetkids.com/images/santaclaus.jpg
Santa Claus

But candidly, Capt. Marvel's costume could easily be confused by an non comic book fan with that of The Flash (and we would not want that to happen now would we?).

[Lone Wolf]

But candidly, Capt. Marvel's costume could easily be confused by an non comic book fan with that of The Flash (and we would not want that to happen now would we?).

How? Captain Marvel doesn't where a mask, Flash does and doesn't wear a cape. Captain Marvel wears a huge lighting bolt across his chest, while Flash's is smaller.

[Isildur´s Heir]

It should be serious with occasional touches of humor.
:up:

[Obi-Ron]

I want Talky Tawny and Mr. Mind, so it can't be too serious.

[Lone Wolf]

I want Talky Tawny and Mr. Mind, so it can't be too serious.

Probably Mr. Mind along with Dr. Sivana.

[Dr. Fate]

:up:
Thanks IH. You too, dpm07.

The only thing harder than casting the right guy to play Cap is casting the right guy to play Black Adam.

Hey, off the record, do you think they should include Mary Marvel or save her for a sequel?

[Lone Wolf]

Thanks IH. You too, dpm07.

The only thing harder than casting the right guy to play Cap is casting the right guy to play Black Adam.

Arnold Vosloo would make a decent candidate for Black Adam, though there are other choices....

Hey, off the record, do you think they should include Mary Marvel or save her for a sequel?

Let the first one be about Billy, but there could be a slight cameo of Mary in the first. Basically having the everday relationship all brothers and sisters have these days, considering she's his twin sister. Then set her up for a bigger role in a possible sequel, with her getting her powers of the wizard Shazam. It can work, if done right.

Incase no one knows, when she shouts out "Shazam" it's not identical to Billy's. Each have thier own meaning, with hers being:

Selina
Hippolyta
Ariadne
Zephyrus
Aurora
Minerva

[The Phantom]

Make Mr. Mind into a worm virus that somehow gets hold of a human host that has the ability to control the minds of humans and machines alike. Have his origins parallel with that of Captain Marvel, to show his rise in power, and his ultimate goal to become the information messiah. And he could become jealous of Captain Marvel, who continuously outshines his feats of great power.

Talky Tawny could be an cyborg tiger with an electronic translator, possibly one of the manifestations of Mr. Mind. Which at first could be seen as an advesary, but like all robots in movies, having a conscience.

Those are a couple of ways I could see those elements being brought into a serious Captain Marvel movie.

[Manic]

Hey, off the record, do you think they should include Mary Marvel or save her for a sequel?
Save her for the sequel. Have it be about Billy finding her for the first time in years.

[Steelsheen]

i agree, establish Captain Marvel first, then introduce the supporting players later.

[Hades]

The origin should be exactly how the comics depicted it. Billy made his living by selling newspapers, and living with his uncle after his parents death. Billy's uncle ended up getting rid of him, and keeping his inheritance for himself. That's when a mysterious stranger asks Billy to follow him toward a subway station, not telling him that he works for the wizard Shazam and is leading him to his secret lair. Shazam reveals to Billy that he has chosen him to helm the powers of Captain Marvel after shouting the wizards own name.

Atleast that should taken seriously, then a bit of humor could be added to the film.
Heh, just reading that, it would be cool if it played on similarily to the Harry Potter or The lion the witch and the warddrobe films. Kind of this dark fantasy, from a childs perspective.

[dnno1]

How? Captain Marvel doesn't where a mask, Flash does and doesn't wear a cape. Captain Marvel wears a huge lighting bolt across his chest, while Flash's is smaller.

http://www.cardsncomics.at/poster/images/flash.jpg
Silver Age Flash

But they do wear red suits, yellow/gold boots and a lighning bolt on their chest. Even Jay Garrick has a big one (lightning bolt) on his chest and doesn't wear a mask. Someone not familiar with the comics could easily confuse the two. I think they call it naieve.

http://mud.mm-a6.yimg.com/image/2285673510
Golden Age Flash

http://mud.mm-a7.yimg.com/image/2461404510
Symbol of the
Golden Age Flash

http://mud.mm-a4.yimg.com/image/1082695824
Shazam Tshirt

[Hades]

I really think Dc would strike gold if they went with the dark fantasy route. It would be a big hit with the kids. What kid doesn't dream about being a super hero? plus it would have wizardy and **** like Harry Potter. It would also be mature enough for adults to like it too.

[Steelsheen]

http://www.cardsncomics.at/poster/images/flash.jpg
Silver Age Flash

But they do wear red suits, yellow/gold boots and a lighning bolt on their chest. Even Jay Garrick has a big one (lightning bolt) on his chest and doesn't wear a mask. Someone not familiar with the comics could easily confuse the two. I think they call it naieve.

http://mud.mm-a6.yimg.com/image/2285673510
Golden Age Flash

http://mud.mm-a7.yimg.com/image/2461404510
Symbol of the
Golden Age Flash

http://mud.mm-a4.yimg.com/image/1082695824
Shazam Tshirt


yeah that much is true. i've heard one way too many times when folks would call Captain Marvel "hey its Flash!" :(

[Isildur´s Heir]

Hey, off the record, do you think they should include Mary Marvel or save her for a sequel?
Sequel.
Too much information in one movie can ruine it.
The first movie should be about Captain Marvel, his power, where does it all come from, who is Shazam,....

[Dr. Fate]

Sequel.
Too much information in one movie can ruine it.
The first movie should be about Captain Marvel, his power, where does it all come from, who is Shazam,....
It's official then. No Mary Marvel until the sequel.

[ZeroCorpse]

Wait...

"Take it seriously and base it on what is in the comics"

You ARE aware that Captain Marvel was a comedy comic book before DC integrated him into their continuity, aren't you? It was never "serious" until DC tried to modernize him in the past 15 years or so.

This was a guy who had a WORM as his arch-foe.

The old comics are quite funny, so I see no reason to try to make a "serious" Captain Marvel/SHAZAM! film. I'd think it would be much better to be true to the origins of the character and make it an action-comedy... Cast Patrick Warburton, and go with it.

Just like I would hate to see a "serious" Plastic Man movie. That would suck. (but if they do cast Plastic Man, it should be Bruce Campbell)

[Dr. Fate]

Wait...

"Take it seriously and base it on what is in the comics"

You ARE aware that Captain Marvel was a comedy comic book before DC integrated him into their continuity, aren't you? It was never "serious" until DC tried to modernize him in the past 15 years or so.

This was a guy who had a WORM as his arch-foe.

The old comics are quite funny, so I see no reason to try to make a "serious" Captain Marvel/SHAZAM! film. I'd think it would be much better to be true to the origins of the character and make it an action-comedy... Cast Patrick Warburton, and go with it.

Just like I would hate to see a "serious" Plastic Man movie. That would suck. (but if they do cast Plastic Man, it should be Bruce Campbell)
We just don't want it to be campy. Camp is bad.

[Manic]

A little camp is good. I'm with Batman; Billy's origins as a kid selling papers on the street should be done as serious as possible, but after he becomes Captain Marvel, the gloves can come off.

[Dr. Fate]

A little camp is good.
No, camp is bad. Even a little camp is bad.

[Manic]

No, camp is bad. Even a little camp is bad.
It worked for Spider-Man.

[JackBauer]

not really...

[Manic]

How did it not work? The Spider-Man films are among the most acclaimed comic-to-film adaptations around. I mean, they hired the director of Evil Dead / producer of Xena: Warrior Princess. They wanted camp when they made those movies, and it seems to have worked out.

[JackBauer]

the movies work, but the campy moments are the worst moments in both movies. that and MJ running around in a wedding dress.

[Dr. Fate]

the movies work, but the campy moments are the worst moments in both movies. that and MJ running around in a wedding dress.
Exactly.

[Manic]

So I'm the only one here who liked the "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" montage in the second movie? The guy singing the classic Spider-Man theme song in the streets in the first one? The wrestling match? The Bruce Campbell appearances? Every single scene with J. Jonah Jameson?

[Ben Breeck]

So I'm the only one here who liked the "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" montage in the second movie?

Looks like it.

The guy singing the classic Spider-Man theme song in the streets in the first one? The wrestling match?

That's an odd definition of camp.

The Bruce Campbell appearances? Every single scene with J. Jonah Jameson?

Trust me on this, I know at least one newspaper guy personally who is an exact match for him personality wise. J. Jonah Jameson is not camp.

[Billy Batson]

WOW!!!! Captain Marvel Talk.
KOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLL.
My vote is for a seriously done film.
THE BIG RED CHEESE IS NO JOKE.

[Manic]

You're lying to yourself if you think the scenes with J. Jonah Jameson aren't campy. The way he speaks, the cartoony way he always has a cigar, the way Ted Raimi is wedged into the scenes as his jerky-necked assistant, ect. If you know somebody who actually acts like Jameson in the movies, then you know a man who is a virtual cartoon character.

[Chris Wallace]

We're basically talking about "Big meets Superman", right? How do you sell that to the non-comic reading public?

[The Chairman]

yep, a good balance between comedy and action is the way to go. kind of like Lethal Weapon.

Agreed.

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Why the hell could it be a comedy?

[Obi-Ron]

Somewhat off topic...

http://www.renefiles.com/thumbnails/as2ctth.jpg

Armin Shimerman (aka Principal Snyder, Quark) for Sivana!

[InkSlinger]

I think we beat this one to a pulp in another thread.
It should be a serious movie balanced with well placed tongue-in-cheek humor. The makers of this movie want people to believe in this icon, otherwise, NO ONE will want to see it.

The approach with Sky High and Sky Captain and The Incredibles was actually serious with lots of humor. You were expected to enjoy these movies because they were serious about what they were portraying- superheros (which, HELLO, don't really exist in our plane of existence).
We would like to believe; we would like to be a superhero- that's why Captain Marvel/Billy was so popular. It was puny, funny and taught the difference between right and wrong, good and evil. Serious subject matter that is best learned thru humor.

I still think that Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as Captain Marvel and Omar Sharif as the wizard Shazam would be a great comic pairing. Find a kid who can steal scenes from these guys and you'll have a movie that the critics will insist is a must see. (Aren't they all?)
It can be taken seriously without being so serious that it drags itself into the black hole of pretentiousness.

I don't think Black Adam should be in any of these movies. He's a modern DC addition, not part of the original early Fawcett stories.
They should really stick with the Fawcett comic history.
Billy, the Wizard, Billy's Uncle, Dr Sivana and his Goa'uld, later on- Mary and Tawney (hey, if you can have a Goa'uld worm, you can have a talking Kzinti Tiger-look it up).

Black Adam could show up in the 2nd sequel.

I want the sound of 7 thunders!
I want to feel that when he utters SHAZAM! the first time.
(And I want him to say COOL! when he sees what happens to him.
He can say HOLY MOLEY! when something outrageous happens during a fight.)

[InkSlinger]

Somewhat off topic...

http://www.renefiles.com/thumbnails/as2ctth.jpg

Armin Shimerman (aka Principal Snyder, Quark) for Sivana!


Perfect!

[Ben Breeck]

I don't think Black Adam should be in any of these movies. He's a modern DC addition, not part of the original early Fawcett stories.


According to the price guide in the back of last month's (or technically this month's) Wizard, we first get to meet Black Adam in Marvel Family Vol.1 #1 (to differentiate it from Fantastic Four: The Marvel Family, an obscure magazine format series published for14 issues in the early '70s.) Dated August 1945. BTW, this was the first issue to introduce Captain Marvel Jr, too

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

I don't think Black Adam should be in any of these movies. He's a modern DC addition, not part of the original early Fawcett stories.
They should really stick with the Fawcett comic history.
Billy, the Wizard, Billy's Uncle, Dr Sivana and his Goa'uld, later on- Mary and Tawney (hey, if you can have a Goa'uld worm, you can have a talking Kzinti Tiger-look it up).

Black Adam could show up in the 2nd sequel.


Yeah what the hell are you talking about?

Publisher (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Comic_book_publishing_companies) Fawcett Comics (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fawcett_Comics) (1945)
DC Comics (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DC_Comics) (1973 - present) First appearance (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_appearance) The Marvel Family (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Marvel_Family) #1 (1945 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1945), historical)
The Power of Shazam! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Power_of_Shazam%21) graphic novel (1994 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994), canon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_%28fiction%29)

[InkSlinger]

Yeah what the hell are you talking about?

Publisher (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Comic_book_publishing_companies) Fawcett Comics (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fawcett_Comics) (1945)
DC Comics (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DC_Comics) (1973 - present) First appearance (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_appearance) The Marvel Family (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Marvel_Family) #1 (1945 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1945), historical)
The Power of Shazam! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Power_of_Shazam%21) graphic novel (1994 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994), canon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_%28fiction%29)



I'm pointing out that too many of you are saying Dr. Sivana being controlled by a worm was silly and shouldn't be used. It's been used for 7 years with a lot of success on Star Gate SG-1- what do you think a Goa'uld is? It's a worm. The Kzinti are talking cat/tiger humanoids created by Sci-Fi writer Larry Niven and used in 'Enterprise' to pretty good efffect. So Talkie Tawney is not a reach, like some of you think.
I like evil scientists like Dr. Sivana (and Lex Luthor, originally) and think they are perfect as a villian in a "family movie".
Stick to the original origin storyline and characters and this movie will work. Like I said, Black Adam came along much later. So did Mary, but I think she'll be neccessary to this movie, so she needs to show up earlier.
If he is introduced, it should be much later.
Having a hero and a villan with the same powers would be like filming twin brothers fighting all of the time. No one else cares.
So, you could make a serious movie with these characters and still have a lot of humor.

Yes, your link shows a cover with the Black Adam name, but no other reference as to the character.
I can't find a copy of that book (reprint or otherwise) that says this is the same Black Adam that Ordway created.
I still think Black Adam as we know it is the Jerry Ordway creation from 1995.