Shazam!!! - Part 1

[Thread Manager]

This is a continuation thread, the old thread is 263110

[Sebastos]

First off, I want to say that I can't WAIT for this flick. Been a long time fan of the character, and I'm keeping my hopes up! Second, what news have we gotten? Anything recent?? :huh:

[Ponyboy]

http://www.**************.com/images/users/uploads/14267/Brandon%20Molale.jpg

[Ponyboy]

First off, I want to say that I can't WAIT for this flick. Been a long time fan of the character, and I'm keeping my hopes up! Second, what news have we gotten? Anything recent?? :huh:

I agree... I think they should do it ala Monster Society and really focus on the boy in the beginning. Build it up to him becoming Captain Marvel (like in the first 1978 Superman movie)

[Airwings]

Oooww, a superman rip-off. It's so obvious.

Dark-haired super strong flying man in a suit and cape, with a symbol on the chest.
I wonder how much effort they must put into it to make it stand on its own.

[HighFivingMF]

Include Billy Batson. Done.

[gn6196]

I never saw him as any more than a second rate Superman.

[Ponyboy]

A 2nd rate Superman perhaps. Just as powerful and his powers are based on an entirely different premise.

[some guy]

Oooww, a superman rip-off. It's so obvious.

Dark-haired super strong flying man in a suit and cape, with a symbol on the chest.
I wonder how much effort they must put into it to make it stand on its own.
Super-powered alien rocketed to Earth from a doomed planet...

Boy granted magic-based powers derived from 5 Roman/Greek deities and a Biblical figure...

Wow, yeah, those are remarkably similar. Someone should sue somebody, probably.

[HighFivingMF]

I never saw him as any more than a second rate Superman.

Then you've never read a story with him? He was created as a response to Superman, sure, but so is every superhero. Obviously he had something special to make him more popular than even Superman and Batman at one point in time.

[theMan-Bat]

Captain Marvel is not a rip-off of Superman. There are similarities, however, Captain Marvel is very different. He's not an alien from another planet, rocked to Earth, etc. Unlike the extraterrestrial Superman, Captain Marvel is magical, going back to old folklore and mythos of classic times, Greek mythology. The 3,000 year-old wizard Shazam turned young Billy Batson into Captain Marvel with the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Atlas, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles and the speed of Mercury. The wizard Shazam's name is from the first letters of the seven Elder's names. Billy Batson becomes Captain Marvel by saying the magic word, which is the wizard's name, Shazam. Superman never lost his powers as Clark Kent, but Billy Batson is as vulnerable as any young, non-super-powered boy, thus, more relatable.

Superman's look was modeled after Douglas Fairbanks, as Clark Kent his look was modeled after Harold Lloyd. Captain Marvel's look was modeled after Fred McMurray. The wizard Shazam's look was modeled after Merlin. Superman's costume was modeled after circus/carnival strong man costumes, with trunks over tights. Captain Marvel's costume was modeled after both military uniforms, with a buttoned lapel and boxy shoulders, buccaneer boots, and ancient Egyptian and Persian costumes, with arm bands, a sash with a dangling tail, a cape with braid/button loops that's held around his neck by a cord and hanging over one shoulder was modeled after the ceremonial cape worn by the British nobility.

Captain Marvel was shown flying from Washington to New York and from New York to Chicago in Whiz Comics #5 (May, 1940) "Captain Marvel Crashes Through" by creators Bill Parker and C.C. Beck, while Superman was still only leaping an eighth of a mile. http://www.marvelfamily.com/FunFacts/funfact.aspx?FFID=29
Captain Marvel Jr. first appeared in Whiz Comics #25 (December, 1941), years before Superboy first appeared in More Fun Comics #101 (January–February, 1945). Mary Marvel first appeared in Captain Marvel Adventures #18 (December, 1942), years before Supergirl first appeared in Action Comics #252 (May, 1959). Even Hoppy the Marvel Bunny first appeared in Fawcett's Funny Animals #1 (December, 1942), years before Krypto the Superdog first appeared in Adventure Comics #210 (March, 1955). In Richard Donner's Superman: The Movie (1978) and Donner's Superman II (1978), Marlon Brando's Jor-El was a Shazam-like mentor spirit who counsels Superman, like the wizard Shazam counsels Captain Marvel, and in a huge Fortress, that is reminiscent of the the wizard Shazam's Rock of Eternity. Even Luthor's assistant Ms. Teschmacher who has feelings for Superman and saves him, is like Sivana's assistant Beautia who has feelings for Captain Marvel, and she saves him. Beautia first appeared in Whiz Comics #3 (April, 1940) "The Return of Sivana" by Bill Parker and C.C. Beck.

[Airwings]

No matter what their backstories are and how they get their powers. For non-comic readers it would visually look as a Superman clone. Sorry to say that.

[Ponyboy]

Super-powered alien rocketed to Earth from a doomed planet...

Boy granted magic-based powers derived from 5 Roman/Greek deities and a Biblical figure...

Wow, yeah, those are remarkably similar. Someone should sue somebody, probably.


:applaud

[theMan-Bat]

A Shazam! movie that's faithful to the comics would make it obvious to non-comic readers that Captain Marvel/Billy Batson is definitely not a Superman/Clark Kent clone.

[Ponyboy]

Exactly. They just need to start it slow... start with the boy living on the streets, a street rat kind of thing and the hardships of that life. Jeff Smith's version of Shazam was perfectly ideal for a film... well, minus the talking alligators. ;)

[Airwings]

Well, time to discuss some actors then.
I have read that people prefer The Rock as Black Adam. It could work if he have a tough side to him, and not acting like it's one of his family films.

*laugh* I just got Brendan Fraser's name in my head when thinking about Captain Marvel himself.
Finding Billy Batson is not just something that should be taken lightly. They must push themselves and going for some really talented young guy. Not Logan Lerman because he's everywhere these days and more of a celebrity. No, they should go with someone like Liam Aiken.

[HighFivingMF]

Liam Aiken is 21 and Logan Lerman is 19. Billy is supposed to be like 12.

[Czar Colossus]

Exactly. They just need to start it slow... start with the boy living on the streets, a street rat kind of thing and the hardships of that life. Jeff Smith's version of Shazam was perfectly ideal for a film... well, minus the talking alligators. ;)
Did not like Smith's idea of Billy and Cap being two separate beings though. I prefer him to be Billy (on the inside) when he's Cap.

[Airwings]

Well, I don't think they gonna go with an actual 12-year-old kid. They gonna change him into a teenager or something.
Liam Aiken would perhaps be a good pick RIGHT NOW, with his youthful looks and appearance. But the Shazam will lay years into the future, unfortunately. I guess Aiken will be old enough to play the hero by then.

This year, 2011, I think Kevin Zegers could work as Captain Marvel, He's both young and in the right age, I guess. And he's not skinny, he has got muscles.

[Duke]

What's the current status of this property? Last I heard it was in development with Peter Segal directing. Has it reverted back into developmental hell? As for Billy Batson, how about Joel Courtney from Super 8?

[Airwings]

No Joel Courtney. I think it should be Max Records' turn again. He comes before Joel in the line.

[misjuevos]

with the superman legal stuff now, maybe shazam is the way to go now. build him up.

[Duke]

Another kid I would consider for Billy Batson would be Zach Gordon.

[Lord]

I don't think a Kid transforming into an adult superhero would work, they can make him in his 20s that is given his powers and to make it even more diferent than superman they can make it set in the 40s and even take some elements from the popular serials, like Indiana Jones toke some elements from early serials.
Shazam must follow the same style.

[misjuevos]

why would making a kid who turns into a superhero not work? little kids would have something to relate to. grownups would be able to relate to being big kids when watching it. seems like a win win.

[HighFivingMF]

And Captain Marvel is awesome.

[Airwings]

I see no problem with a kid turning into an adult superhero. It may sounds cheesy, but as long as there are dramatic moments and heavy action I will be happy.

But they have to name the film "Shazam" and not "Captain Marvel". Also in the film, the hero must be called "Shazam".

[HighFivingMF]

But they have to name the film "Shazam" and not "Captain Marvel". Also in the film, the hero must be called "Shazam".

Why?

[Airwings]

Why?

Because of the name "Marvel". It can't be used in a live action movie. "DC Comics' Marvel".... sounds wrong in every aspect. And it would confuse the average movie-goer very much.
Some people will even ask among themselves afterwards, as they are leaving the cinema, why this hero wasn't in Avengers.

[HighFivingMF]

Some people will even ask among themselves afterwards, as they are leaving the cinema, why this hero wasn't in Avengers.

I'm sure they'll say the same about Spider-Man and the X-Men. And the average movie-goer doesn't give anything remotely close to a damn about what superhero belongs to what company. "I don't want to see it because it's Marvel." isn't something the general movie-going public says.

Yes, it could confuse some people. But not to the point where they avoid the movie.

But then again, if Flashpoint is any indication (which I'm fairly sure it isn't) then he might end up being Captain Thunder.

[BrlntDsgse]

Because of the name "Marvel". It can't be used in a live action movie. "DC Comics' Marvel".... sounds wrong in every aspect. And it would confuse the average movie-goer very much.
Some people will even ask among themselves afterwards, as they are leaving the cinema, why this hero wasn't in Avengers.

Wrong. They could absolutely use the name "Captain Marvel" IN the movie, just not as the TITLE of the movie, same as the comics. And, the average moviegoer MIGHT be slightly confused, but so what? If the movie itself is fun and entertaining I doubt they'll dwell on that. In fact, the general audience isn't all that clear on the difference between DC and Marvel anyway.... you'll probably have alot of general audience members wondering why Batman, Superman, and GL aren't in Avengers too.

[Duke]

And Captain Marvel is awesome.





Indeed he is!

[Captain DC]

Travis Milne (Rookie Blue) for Captain Marvel.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2691819/

http://web.wireimage.com/images/tnm/62453030.jpg

http://www.globaltv.com/uploadedImages/Content/Shows/Rookie_Blue/Galleries/Cast/3083020.JPG

http://static.tvguide.com/MediaBin/Galleries/Shows/M_R/Ri_Rp/Rookie_Blue/season1/rookie-blue-16.jpg

[The Guard]

Here's hoping CAPTAIN AMERICA gives this project a little steam.

[Omega Red]

Wrong. They could absolutely use the name "Captain Marvel" IN the movie, just not as the TITLE of the movie, same as the comics. And, the average moviegoer MIGHT be slightly confused, but so what? If the movie itself is fun and entertaining I doubt they'll dwell on that. In fact, the general audience isn't all that clear on the difference between DC and Marvel anyway.... you'll probably have alot of general audience members wondering why Batman, Superman, and GL aren't in Avengers too.

I think Marvel Comics won that Lawsuit

[batdude]

Avengers will come out way before this. You can't worry that much about John Q public.

[JabarR]

p7TR4ixOkhM

adZwGmLY6cI

[Billy Batson]

Glad to see this thread continuing but a film featuring Captain Marvel will NEVER happen.
That ship has sailed. =(

[HighFivingMF]

Glad to see this thread continuing but a film featuring Captain Marvel will NEVER happen.
That ship has sailed. =(

Where's it gone?

[Ultra Lantern]

Glad to see this thread continuing but a film featuring Captain Marvel will NEVER happen.
That ship has sailed. =(


It might happen in the future at some point.

[Billy Batson]

It might happen in the future at some point.

I seriously doubt it, and business @ the box office should be changing for the worst. Under the new financial climate I doubt The WB would take a chance with Captain Marvel. Only the Batman film property is a revenue generating property. Once the new Superman film tanks, I can't see The WB investing in Captain Marvel.

[HighFivingMF]

Superman's gonna tank? Nobody's seen a single frame of footage.

[Billy Batson]

Superman's gonna tank? Nobody's seen a single frame of footage.
REALLY? :whatever: VvafX_PMyeE

[HighFivingMF]

I'm not going to watch an 8 minute video because you can't think of a response that isn't an emoticon.

[Billy Batson]

I'm not going to watch an 8 minute video because you can't think of a response that isn't an emoticon.
lol seriously check it out. I dare YOU!
Besides my responses are considered "TROLLING" around here, so I keep it simple and "emoticonic".
That's right jerky I made up a word.

[HighFivingMF]

Let me guess. Some uber-faithful comic fans on Youtube are complaining about the suit?

[Billy Batson]

Let me guess. Some uber-faithful comic fans on Youtube are complaining about the suit?

Don't be scared watch it. I watched your two minute "MOOK" vid.

[Billy Batson]

Wait!
"Some uber-faithful comic fans" you did watch it. lmao

[HighFivingMF]

Don't be scared watch it. I watched your two minute "MOOK" vid.

Well, shucks. I'll return the favor then.

OK. I still don't see what that has to do with the movie tanking. The suit is overly blue, so? If the movie looks cool nobody will care that Faora has a cape. Hell, I don't think anybody will care that Faora has a cape no matter what.


Wait!
"Some uber-faithful comic fans" you did watch it. lmao
Nope. Simple deduction. Given the context in which you posted it, it was clearly negative and who else would make the image for their video Superman, Miranda Tate, and Spider-Man? But I have since watched the Superman segment, as mentioned above.

[Billy Batson]

OK. I still don't see what that has to do with the movie tanking.

You are correct.
I have nothing concrete to base my $.02 opinion on the new film.
To me, Warners Brothers are just clueless regarding Superman.
I would like for you and anyone else to just take my comment and note my negative stance on the subject matter and leave it at that.
Time will tell if I'm incorrect or correct, but I'm quite sure that too will be based on one's opinion and perspective.

[HighFivingMF]

You are correct.
I have nothing concrete to base my $.02 opinion on the new film.
To me, Warners Brothers are just clueless regarding Superman.
I would like for you and anyone else to just take my comment and note my negative stance on the subject matter and leave it at that.
Time will tell if I'm incorrect or correct, but I'm quite sure that too will be based on one's opinion and perspective.

You can feel however you want, your stance be it negative or positive is perfectly fine. I don't want to try to change your mind, that's your business and I respect it. I just thought it was odd that you stated as a fact the movie would tank. But that's all done with now.

[Lord]

Any site where i can read the early Captain Marvel comics for free? I found some but they normally don't have the first issues, since they're in public domain i believelinks for these sites can be posted right?

[Kyle Rayner]

This is HOW IT SHOULD BE!

Zachary Gordon AKA Billy Batson
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQa9PruUhEYu1VbJ4nCV2jJPdcLYUmVk L7lz8SSpR-yta_z1ndMSwhttp://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTynWO2kS-N5DyKK73qbK46f3fkuDdMJ0LS8nDkuQE8eFXuhaYmgQ

Kevin Durand AKA Captain Marvel
http://www.exposay.com/celebrity-photos/kevin-durand-walking-tall-world-premiere-in-los-angeles-1C1CqP.jpghttp://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTynWO2kS-N5DyKK73qbK46f3fkuDdMJ0LS8nDkuQE8eFXuhaYmgQ

[Kyle Rayner]

Shazam is all about a kid saying a word and becoming a superhero. Ask anyone, during our childhood we wanted to be a superhero, tie a towel around our neck, spread our arms and run around the living room like a superhero would do. Shazam took it to the next level, giving a kid the chance to become one.

The movie is WAY OVER DUE. For the longest time there was a movie in the works but it didn't go anywhere the Rock even said that he would love to play Black Adam.

Time will tell.

[Airwings]

Zachary Gordon could suit the part well. But for a minute or two I thought maybe Max Records or Joel Courtney were possible.

[superhero]

doesi oerember the tv show from1960 it wasfake iliked it tv land showedit for a while. i liked it a lot. ireocmed chekcing out the anmited moive shazzam /superman return of black adam

[DarkSovereignty]

you must've destroyed the sites spell check with that one. anyway, my two cents, i would love a period piece set in the forties, maybe fifties, make it the ultimate golden age homage. And I have to admit, I actually think brendeb fraiser could make a decent cap.

[TheDragonator]

If Superior gets made into a film, you can kiss the chances of a Shazam film goodbye.

Even more if Marvel makes a Captain Marvel film.

[Lord]

you must've destroyed the sites spell check with that one. anyway, my two cents, i would love a period piece set in the forties, maybe fifties, make it the ultimate golden age homage. And I have to admit, I actually think brendeb fraiser could make a decent cap.
:up:

[Kyle Rayner]

The only problem with that is that Brendan Fraser is in his 40's already and his film resume in the last decade hasn't been that great, with the exception of Crash. Also the guy developed one hell of a beer gut.

[DrCosmic]

I would think Shazam could be a very interesting TV show.

[batdude]

It was one years ago, Although only Cap and Billy were in it. Frankly to me, I always thought the CW should have had Shazam on Smallville and tried to get a spinoff, but it never happened.

[Thundarr]

This is HOW IT SHOULD BE!

Zachary Gordon AKA Billy Batson
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQa9PruUhEYu1VbJ4nCV2jJPdcLYUmVk L7lz8SSpR-yta_z1ndMSwhttp://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTynWO2kS-N5DyKK73qbK46f3fkuDdMJ0LS8nDkuQE8eFXuhaYmgQ




BRANDON MOLALE as CAPTAIN MARVEL
http://content.hollywire.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/brandon_shazam.jpg


DWAYNE "THE ROCK" JOHNSON as BLACK ADAM

http://content.hollywire.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/the-rock-as-black-adam.jpg

[Thundarr]

Shazam is all about a kid saying a word and becoming a superhero. Ask anyone, during our childhood we wanted to be a superhero, tie a towel around our neck, spread our arms and run around the living room like a superhero would do. Shazam took it to the next level, giving a kid the chance to become one.

The movie is WAY OVER DUE. For the longest time there was a movie in the works but it didn't go anywhere the Rock even said that he would love to play Black Adam.

Time will tell.
I know I did, lol.

[Antonello Blueberry]

According to Geoff Johns the movie is not dead.
http://www.newsarama.com/comics/geoff-johns-curse-of-shazam-120126.html

Nrama: You've been working on producing and co-writing a Shazam movie (http://www.newsarama.com/comics/080919-Johns-Shazam.html). Is this comic book story at all related to the work you've done on the film?
Johns: Not really. It's got some elements that I pitched in there, and some of the same characters, obviously, because the characters cross over. Tonally, it's probably pretty close.
Nrama: We haven't heard much about the film project lately. Is it dead, or is there still a possibility this could be a film?
Johns: Oh, no, Shazam's always — there's always a possibility for Shazam. There's always talk about Shazam. And I can't get into the specifics on that, but yeah, there's hope for Shazam.

[Lord]

I hope this movie can be made before any Captain Marvel (Marvel's version) movie is made

[KangConquers]

I hope this movie can be made before any Captain Marvel (Marvel's version) movie is made

I don't think a Mar-Vell movie is likely. The character, while a popular name in the 70s, has been dead in the comics for 30 years, and thus, not a big part of any marketing etc.

Sadly, DC has handled their Captain Marvel the same way. When they acquired the rights to the character, he was still up there with their Big 3 in terms of recognition. Unfortunately, DC has never been quite sure what to do with the Big Red Cheese, and his star has faded over the last several decades.

[Airwings]

Pick a low-key director for this. The film could have a small budget. I don't mind cheap effects and a fake look when the hero is flying, fighting villains etc. Make it seem a little ridiculous, because superheroes are unbelievable anyway.

John Landis, Peter Hyams, Ivan Reitman, Walter Hill, anyone?
It doesn't have to be deep like a Roman Polanski film, or be directed by some high class filmmaker like Woody Allen.

[rogue trooper]

I, personally, think a Shazam movie might work best as a cgi animated film. Look at The Incredibles, Astro Boy, TMNT, The Adventures of Tintin, and Megamind. A cgi film could capture the look of C.C. Beck and Kurt Shaffenberger(and maybe a little of Jeff Smith and Jerry Ordway), and the humor more appropriately than in live-action, imo!!

Zachary Gordon as the voice of Billy Batson, Brendan Fraser as the voice of Captain Marvel, Ben Kingsley as the voice of Dr. Sivana, Jeffrey Dean Morgan as the voice of Black Adam, Michael Sheen as the voice of Mr. Mind, Frank Langella as the voice of Shazam the wizard, and Michael Clark Duncan as the voice Tawny The Tiger(as he was in Smith's Monster Society of Evil).

[TheComicbookKid]

You'd figure the DCE would be smart enough to know about diversifying their product across all mediums. Not all characters need a movie(30 million or 200million).

Captain Marvel would be a great cartoon series.

[tecnowraith]

Ok here is a question, in recent media interpretations of the character like in animated series JL: Unlimited and animated films, they had Captain Marvel still having the mentality of Billy , an 11yr kid trapped in a grown. Should this still be part of the character or not?

[rogue trooper]

I think Cap should be a seperate person, but having Billy inside him should make him have a somewhat wilder and playfull spirit at times.

[TheComicbookKid]

I think they should be able to switch between them.

Captain Marvel doesn't have any personality or angle to me. Billy does so it would be nice to have that contrast and develop their relationship that way.

[Hyden]

I think the question of how to adapt Captain Marvel (Or I guess Shazam now) really comes down to what sort of audience demographic the movie s supposed to appeal to. I think there are a few ways you could do it

1. Make it a kids movie. This is just plain simple because Captain Marvel is a classically wholesome and soft edged character and the true appeal of Billy Batson's story has always been unadulterated wish fulfillment fantasies. I don't think you'd really need to do anything special with the source material, just make it very simple and light hearted and kid friendly.
The problem with this is that there really aren't that many none-pixar/live-action family films with broad appeal really being made today so chances are it would be insufferable for anybody old enough to already know who Captain Marvel is. That and, I'm not sure what sort of boxoffice prospects a live action PG film has these days. I guess stuff like Alvin and the Chipmunks net enough to warrant sequels, but they seem relatively inexpensive to me, not like a super hero film.

2. the second option is to do what most super-hero films do, which is tailor toward to ever precious 13-30 male demographic and all their lovely wallets. But the so-called darker/edgier/more violent characters (like Batman, Iron Man, Wolverine and the X-Men, and Spider-man) normally fair best in these situations both critically and commercially so I imagine that if Shazam would be adapted for this most lucrative of markets they would have to take quite a few liberties with the source material.
I'm not one to say it can't be done, but I'd be really surprised if anybody managed to take Shazam and make it simultaneously appealing to young men/ bare passing resemblance to the source material/ worth watch.

3. The third option, I guess, would be to make it a kitsch/camp post-modern throwback/send up to Golden Age comics with varying levels of tongue-in-cheek satire and self awareness. I could actually imagine this being really good, it my mind it might have the deconstructed, high-culture/low-culture appeal of a Tarantino film with that great grey "is it art-house or exploitation?" meta-textual flair.
Of course, this option is more than likely going to go right over everybody's heads, or at least that's what the powers that be at Warner Bros. would tell you 3 minutes in to the pitch-meeting. Much too obtuse and high-concept for any major studio the green-light, and it's not exactly a property you could shop around to anybody else.

Can anybody think of another possibility to add?

[chiefchirpa]

I think the question of how to adapt Captain Marvel (Or I guess Shazam now) really comes down to what sort of audience demographic the movie s supposed to appeal to. I think there are a few ways you could do it

1. Make it a kids movie. This is just plain simple because Captain Marvel is a classically wholesome and soft edged character and the true appeal of Billy Batson's story has always been unadulterated wish fulfillment fantasies. I don't think you'd really need to do anything special with the source material, just make it very simple and light hearted and kid friendly.
The problem with this is that there really aren't that many none-pixar/live-action family films with broad appeal really being made today so chances are it would be insufferable for anybody old enough to already know who Captain Marvel is. That and, I'm not sure what sort of boxoffice prospects a live action PG film has these days. I guess stuff like Alvin and the Chipmunks net enough to warrant sequels, but they seem relatively inexpensive to me, not like a super hero film.

2. the second option is to do what most super-hero films do, which is tailor toward to ever precious 13-30 male demographic and all their lovely wallets. But the so-called darker/edgier/more violent characters (like Batman, Iron Man, Wolverine and the X-Men, and Spider-man) normally fair best in these situations both critically and commercially so I imagine that if Shazam would be adapted for this most lucrative of markets they would have to take quite a few liberties with the source material.
I'm not one to say it can't be done, but I'd be really surprised if anybody managed to take Shazam and make it simultaneously appealing to young men/ bare passing resemblance to the source material/ worth watch.

3. The third option, I guess, would be to make it a kitsch/camp post-modern throwback/send up to Golden Age comics with varying levels of tongue-in-cheek satire and self awareness. I could actually imagine this being really good, it my mind it might have the deconstructed, high-culture/low-culture appeal of a Tarantino film with that great grey "is it art-house or exploitation?" meta-textual flair.
Of course, this option is more than likely going to go right over everybody's heads, or at least that's what the powers that be at Warner Bros. would tell you 3 minutes in to the pitch-meeting. Much too obtuse and high-concept for any major studio the green-light, and it's not exactly a property you could shop around to anybody else.

Can anybody think of another possibility to add?

#2.

There's no reason to have a gritty, mean Black Adam without doing #2. Yes I know, Billy Batson needs to evolve from being a kid to a hapless adult. Shazam needs to evolve if it wants to reap success in the box office.

[Hyden]

#2.

There's no reason to have a gritty, mean Black Adam without doing #2. Yes I know, Billy Batson needs to evolve from being a kid to a hapless adult. Shazam needs to evolve if it wants to reap success in the box office.
I'm sure you're right. My hope is that the upcoming reintroduction of him in to the DCU in Justice League will go a long way toward updating and sharpening the character.

[batdude]

Well, I still think it was a mistake not to do this with The Rock as Black Adam, but this definitely is a character that needs more humor than Batman or Wolverine.

[The Guard]

I think the question of how to adapt Captain Marvel (Or I guess Shazam now) really comes down to what sort of audience demographic the movie s supposed to appeal to. I think there are a few ways you could do it

1. Make it a kids movie. This is just plain simple because Captain Marvel is a classically wholesome and soft edged character and the true appeal of Billy Batson's story has always been unadulterated wish fulfillment fantasies. I don't think you'd really need to do anything special with the source material, just make it very simple and light hearted and kid friendly.
The problem with this is that there really aren't that many none-pixar/live-action family films with broad appeal really being made today so chances are it would be insufferable for anybody old enough to already know who Captain Marvel is. That and, I'm not sure what sort of boxoffice prospects a live action PG film has these days. I guess stuff like Alvin and the Chipmunks net enough to warrant sequels, but they seem relatively inexpensive to me, not like a super hero film.

2. the second option is to do what most super-hero films do, which is tailor toward to ever precious 13-30 male demographic and all their lovely wallets. But the so-called darker/edgier/more violent characters (like Batman, Iron Man, Wolverine and the X-Men, and Spider-man) normally fair best in these situations both critically and commercially so I imagine that if Shazam would be adapted for this most lucrative of markets they would have to take quite a few liberties with the source material.
I'm not one to say it can't be done, but I'd be really surprised if anybody managed to take Shazam and make it simultaneously appealing to young men/ bare passing resemblance to the source material/ worth watch.

3. The third option, I guess, would be to make it a kitsch/camp post-modern throwback/send up to Golden Age comics with varying levels of tongue-in-cheek satire and self awareness. I could actually imagine this being really good, it my mind it might have the deconstructed, high-culture/low-culture appeal of a Tarantino film with that great grey "is it art-house or exploitation?" meta-textual flair.
Of course, this option is more than likely going to go right over everybody's heads, or at least that's what the powers that be at Warner Bros. would tell you 3 minutes in to the pitch-meeting. Much too obtuse and high-concept for any major studio the green-light, and it's not exactly a property you could shop around to anybody else.

Can anybody think of another possibility to add?

4. All of the above.

If a creator can't make a Captain Marvel movie that is a kids and adults movie, with serious and fantastical elements, with a bit of a wink to it, they shouldn't be making it.

SHAZAM could be the movie that could bridge the gap, and open up a whole new world of superhero movie possibilities.

[Captain Marvel]

Oooww, a superman rip-off. It's so obvious.

Dark-haired super strong flying man in a suit and cape, with a symbol on the chest.

I wonder how much effort they must put into it to make it stand on its own.

1) So wearing a cape, a costume, and having a symbol on your chest is enough to be labeled a copy of Superman? Oh no! I guess the hundreds of superheroes wearing costumes, capes, and with symbols on their chests are Superman ripoffs.

2) Super-strength is easily the most common superpower ever. It's even seen in real world mythology, from Thor to Samson to Hercules.

3) Captain Marvel flew. Superman could only leap tall buildings in a single bound. He flew later.

4) You honestly have to ask how much effort they put into it to stand on its own when their backgrounds are absolutely nothing alike?

[Billy Batson]

I think the question of how to adapt Captain Marvel (Or I guess Shazam now) really comes down to what sort of audience demographic the movie s supposed to appeal to. I think there are a few ways you could do it

1. Make it a kids movie. This is just plain simple because Captain Marvel is a classically wholesome and soft edged character and the true appeal of Billy Batson's story has always been unadulterated wish fulfillment fantasies. I don't think you'd really need to do anything special with the source material, just make it very simple and light hearted and kid friendly.
The problem with this is that there really aren't that many none-pixar/live-action family films with broad appeal really being made today so chances are it would be insufferable for anybody old enough to already know who Captain Marvel is. That and, I'm not sure what sort of boxoffice prospects a live action PG film has these days. I guess stuff like Alvin and the Chipmunks net enough to warrant sequels, but they seem relatively inexpensive to me, not like a super hero film.

2. the second option is to do what most super-hero films do, which is tailor toward to ever precious 13-30 male demographic and all their lovely wallets. But the so-called darker/edgier/more violent characters (like Batman, Iron Man, Wolverine and the X-Men, and Spider-man) normally fair best in these situations both critically and commercially so I imagine that if Shazam would be adapted for this most lucrative of markets they would have to take quite a few liberties with the source material.
I'm not one to say it can't be done, but I'd be really surprised if anybody managed to take Shazam and make it simultaneously appealing to young men/ bare passing resemblance to the source material/ worth watch.

3. The third option, I guess, would be to make it a kitsch/camp post-modern throwback/send up to Golden Age comics with varying levels of tongue-in-cheek satire and self awareness. I could actually imagine this being really good, it my mind it might have the deconstructed, high-culture/low-culture appeal of a Tarantino film with that great grey "is it art-house or exploitation?" meta-textual flair.
Of course, this option is more than likely going to go right over everybody's heads, or at least that's what the powers that be at Warner Bros. would tell you 3 minutes in to the pitch-meeting. Much too obtuse and high-concept for any major studio the green-light, and it's not exactly a property you could shop around to anybody else.

Can anybody think of another possibility to add?


I would use SHAZAM! POWER OF HOPE story by Alex Ross and Paul Dini as the springboard for my script or just hire those guys as the script writers.
I'm not sure on the director I would chose. My Captain Marvel would be very "kiddish" and that would cover the kid appeal element. My action sequences would be very "Dark Knight'ish" or "Superman I'ish" and the vibe of those sequences would have a very "adult" tone to them. Kids are easy, flying, punching and cool visuals, they are happy.
I'm surprised the "system" hasn't green lit a film program like "SHAZAM!" yet. A SHAZAM! film can contain an awful amount of Illuminati Symbolism that the "SYSTEM" love to embed in mass entertainment programming.

One can't escape the pyramids, the all seeing eye and pillars these days.
i.e Madonna's Superbowl Halftime show,Nicky Minaj Grammy performance and ABC's "The River" premier promotion logo. Holey Moly!

[Duke]

No Joel Courtney. I think it should be Max Records' turn again. He comes before Joel in the line.

So why would you care about this movie or who gets cast?? I thought you said it was only a "ripoff" & very similar to Superman??

[Airwings]

So why would you care about this movie or who gets cast?? I thought you said it was only a "ripoff" & very similar to Superman??

This is what I wrote:
Oooww, a superman rip-off. It's so obvious.

Dark-haired super strong flying man in a suit and cape, with a symbol on the chest.
I wonder how much effort they must put into it to make it stand on its own.

No matter what their backstories are and how they get their powers. For non-comic readers it would visually look as a Superman clone. Sorry to say that.

I guess you know what I mean.

Now let me know who you prefer - Joel Courtney, Max Records or Zachary Gordon.

[Duke]

I really don't care which kid they cast, but I do want this movie made & most importantly, it remains faithful to the comic source.

[ЯɘvlveR]

i think a live action film would suck. someone in one of the others threads i think, mentioned that they should make it in the vein of megamind and the incredibles; i think that would be great for that franchise unless people want totally rework the origins otherwise, as is, i find that captain marvel's origins in a live action film would seem pretty campy.

[BruceWanner]

What would you guys think of Jason Momoa as Black Adam and Armie Hammer as Captain Marvel?

[Donnie Darko]

As far as actual tone goes, I think it needs to be a fun action/adventure movie like The Rocketeer.

[BruceWanner]

As far as actual tone goes, I think it needs to be a fun action/adventure movie like The Rocketeer.
That sounds interesting, but I'd lean a bit more towards the tone of Thor.

[gkokujin]

Edgar Wright could do it.

Robert Rodriguez could do it.

Peter Berg could do it.

it needs to be kid AND adult friendly.

[Rockstar]

I wouldn't mind a dark and serious reinterpretation of Shazam. One that lines up well with Man of Steel.

[BruceWanner]

Edgar Wright could do it.

Robert Rodriguez could do it.

Peter Berg could do it.

it needs to be kid AND adult friendly.
Agreed 100%!

[The Guard]

Yeah, I don't think I want Robert Rodriguez's brand of "kid friendly" anywhere near Shazam.

[Rodrigo90]

And certainly not Roman Polanski's idea of kid friendly...

[TheComicbookKid]

With Johns pushing his Flashpoint Shazam team into main continuity, what do people think of that idea?

I mean, there's a little bit better idea of how to do it since S.H.A.Z.A.M is like every Captain Planet or He-Man tone kids show.

[Daniel Thompson]

I rather they use Robert Rodriquez brand of adult friendly.

[Daniel Thompson]

I think the question of how to adapt Captain Marvel (Or I guess Shazam now) really comes down to what sort of audience demographic the movie s supposed to appeal to. I think there are a few ways you could do it

1. Make it a kids movie. This is just plain simple because Captain Marvel is a classically wholesome and soft edged character and the true appeal of Billy Batson's story has always been unadulterated wish fulfillment fantasies. I don't think you'd really need to do anything special with the source material, just make it very simple and light hearted and kid friendly.
The problem with this is that there really aren't that many none-pixar/live-action family films with broad appeal really being made today so chances are it would be insufferable for anybody old enough to already know who Captain Marvel is. That and, I'm not sure what sort of boxoffice prospects a live action PG film has these days. I guess stuff like Alvin and the Chipmunks net enough to warrant sequels, but they seem relatively inexpensive to me, not like a super hero film.

2. the second option is to do what most super-hero films do, which is tailor toward to ever precious 13-30 male demographic and all their lovely wallets. But the so-called darker/edgier/more violent characters (like Batman, Iron Man, Wolverine and the X-Men, and Spider-man) normally fair best in these situations both critically and commercially so I imagine that if Shazam would be adapted for this most lucrative of markets they would have to take quite a few liberties with the source material.
I'm not one to say it can't be done, but I'd be really surprised if anybody managed to take Shazam and make it simultaneously appealing to young men/ bare passing resemblance to the source material/ worth watch.

3. The third option, I guess, would be to make it a kitsch/camp post-modern throwback/send up to Golden Age comics with varying levels of tongue-in-cheek satire and self awareness. I could actually imagine this being really good, it my mind it might have the deconstructed, high-culture/low-culture appeal of a Tarantino film with that great grey "is it art-house or exploitation?" meta-textual flair.
Of course, this option is more than likely going to go right over everybody's heads, or at least that's what the powers that be at Warner Bros. would tell you 3 minutes in to the pitch-meeting. Much too obtuse and high-concept for any major studio the green-light, and it's not exactly a property you could shop around to anybody else.

Can anybody think of another possibility to add?

I do not see how a Tarantino style Shazam film would work.

[TheWatcher]

I think the tone of the Shazam movie should be like Iron Man.

[metaphysician]

I disagree, I think a Shazam movie should be somewhat brighter. It almost has to be, it has a kid hero. Kid hero + dark grittiness is a bad combination.

[DarkSovereignty]

I think Super 8 had a good tone for shazaam. in fact, J.J abrams would make an awesome film out of this imo.

[The Guard]

There's never been a movie with the combination of tones SHAZAM needs to have. SHAZAM should be something new entirely.

[TheComicbookKid]

Well, if the Rock takes Lobo, I'd change direction in Black Adam and have say Holt McCallany from Lights Out.

http://t.imgbox.com/aat5kFef.jpg (http://imgbox.com/aat5kFef)

[HighFivingMF]

I think Shazam should be to Harry Potter what Superman is to Batman. If that makes sense.

[Daniel Thompson]

I disagree, I think a Shazam movie should be somewhat brighter. It almost has to be, it has a kid hero. Kid hero + dark grittiness is a bad combination.

How much brighter do you want the film to be? If it gets anymore bright it be like Batman & Robin.

[HighFivingMF]

How much brighter do you want the film to be? If it gets anymore bright it be like Batman & Robin.

I think you're getting "bright" confused with "poorly made."

Also, Batman & Robin had Alfred suffering from a fatal disease and a man who will die if his body temperature gets too high trying to find a cure for the wife he froze alive. It's not bright stuff, it's kinda dark. It's just executed poorly.

[Daniel Thompson]

I think you're getting "bright" confused with "poorly made."

Also, Batman & Robin had Alfred suffering from a fatal disease and a man who will die if his body temperature gets too high trying to find a cure for the wife he froze alive. It's not bright stuff, it's kinda dark. It's just executed poorly.

I like the Ironman tone for a Shazam film.

[TheComicbookKid]

I see it visually like Terry Gilliam meets Lemony Snickets.

http://t.imgbox.com/aaznF4ky.jpg (http://imgbox.com/aaznF4ky) http://t.imgbox.com/aaz7rofJ.jpg (http://imgbox.com/aaz7rofJ) http://t.imgbox.com/aaxPPmIL.jpg (http://imgbox.com/aaxPPmIL) http://t.imgbox.com/aaktxZsH.jpg (http://imgbox.com/aaktxZsH) http://t.imgbox.com/aatySYdC.jpg (http://imgbox.com/aatySYdC)

[The Guard]

I always wonder who will play Mentor, and if the Shazam winnebago will be in the movie.

[batdude]

That character was really a renamed Dudley Batson. I might get William Shatner. If you need to go younger, Tom Selleck.

[TheComicbookKid]

Jay Hayden(guy on the left) as Captain Marvel
http://i.imgbox.com/aahHJ3yk.jpg (http://imgbox.com/aahHJ3yk)

[TheComicbookKid]

Butt ugly. I really hope this isn't the corporate synergy angle at work. All that lightning crackle reminds me of GL movie.

http://i.imgbox.com/aahBlo0a.jpg (http://imgbox.com/aahBlo0a)

[gkokujin]

Butt ugly. I really hope this isn't the corporate synergy angle at work. All that lightning crackle reminds me of GL movie.

http://i.imgbox.com/aahBlo0a.jpg (http://imgbox.com/aahBlo0a)

this looks bad...

this looks HEROES REBORN bad...

waaaaaaitaminnute...HEROES REBORN.

NEW 52 YOU ARE NOT SLICK! They are going to go back, just watch...

[metaphysician]

Marvel hedged its bets and only Reborn a portion of their setting. DC had no such sense. We'll see if they have the sense to Return it a year in. . .

[Brian2887]

I like the idea of Shazam because it's essentially Big retold as a super hero film. So, to me, you need to cast an actor who can be childlike and innocent, but believably heroic. Tom Hanks with muscle tone, really.

So, if you ask me, there's no better choice than John Krasinski (The Office, Leatherheads, Away We Go). He's 6'3. Charming, funny, with an innocent everyman quality. He could easily capture the innocent enthusiasm of a kid who has just turned into an adult super hero.

Put him up against someone like The Rock, and while we can tell he's physically outmatched, it's his heart that makes him a hero.

http://collider.com/wp-content/uploads/john-krasinski-image.jpg

[Spider-Fan83]

Ryan McPartlin
http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/7859/ryanmcpartlin.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/580/ryanmcpartlin.png/)

or

Teddy Sears
http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/3850/600fullteddysears.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/96/600fullteddysears.jpg/)

[TheComicbookKid]

You know, the kid from Modern Family might make a cool Billy Batson.

[Derrick9592]

I like the idea of Shazam because it's essentially Big retold as a super hero film. So, to me, you need to cast an actor who can be childlike and innocent, but believably heroic. Tom Hanks with muscle tone, really.

So, if you ask me, there's no better choice than John Krasinski (The Office, Leatherheads, Away We Go). He's 6'3. Charming, funny, with an innocent everyman quality. He could easily capture the innocent enthusiasm of a kid who has just turned into an adult super hero.

Put him up against someone like The Rock, and while we can tell he's physically outmatched, it's his heart that makes him a hero.

http://collider.com/wp-content/uploads/john-krasinski-image.jpg

Nice :) I can actually see that :up: :up:

[Airwings]

With Shazam being a more light-hearted superhero adventure, I got an idea for the male lead.
Brendan Fraser. He works very well in lighter adventure films, like The Mummy and in family friendly fantasy films (Inkheart, Journey to the Center of the Earth) and he's also a comedian.
If The Rock is going to play Black Adam, Fraser will actually work in the role. There are not that many years between them in age.

And it will be easy to find a boy that resembles Fraser, as well.

Please don't get upset. I just presented an idea to you.

[Rockstar]

Benjamin Walker for Captain Marvel/Shazam

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0907548/

http://images1.variety.com/graphics/photos/_storypics/benjamin_walker.jpg http://www-deadline-com.vimg.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/benjamin-walker__120604171025-200x269.jpg

http://media.zoom-cinema.fr/photos/news/6447/benjamin-walker.png

[TheComicbookKid]

That's actually not a bad choice.

[Rowsdower!]

Well, if the Rock takes Lobo, I'd change direction in Black Adam and have say Holt McCallany from Lights Out.

http://t.imgbox.com/aat5kFef.jpg (http://imgbox.com/aat5kFef)

Holt McCallany is awesome, but if there is one comic book character he should play, it's The Punisher. It's too bad they've already ruined that character with three awful movies, because Holt would f**king rock in that part.

[TheComicbookKid]

Yeah, probably. But since the movie and the tv show aren't happening, he's up for grabs.

Looking at Ordway's Power of Shazam. He reminds me of that Black Adam facially.

[Rowsdower!]

Yeah, I could see it. I just hope the guy gets some more work. He was so, so good in Lights Out and it's a shame not many people bothered to see it.

[Hypestyle]

cast the Rock as Capt. Marvel and a tan kid as Billy.. find an awesome eurasian actor for black adam, and let the lightning fly.. save mary and freddy for part 3..

[Project862006]

Benjamin Walker for Captain Marvel/Shazam

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0907548/

http://images1.variety.com/graphics/photos/_storypics/benjamin_walker.jpg http://www-deadline-com.vimg.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/benjamin-walker__120604171025-200x269.jpg

http://media.zoom-cinema.fr/photos/news/6447/benjamin-walker.png

he is my top choice aswell:yay: he just has that honest nobility type of vibe which is why he made a great Abe Lincoln
http://cdn04.cdn.justjared.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/walker-gq/benjamin-walker-gq-feature.jpg

[raybia]

he is my top choice aswell:yay: he just has that honest nobility type of vibe which is why he made a great Abe Lincoln
http://cdn04.cdn.justjared.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/walker-gq/benjamin-walker-gq-feature.jpg

I think this would be great casting. Call me crazy but I think it would be a home run to have the Coen Brothers to write and direct.

I also would like to have this movie set in the 1936 or so and have the bad guys be the Nazis. I want the Nazis who in their quest to find powerful occult objects for Hitler to inadvertently resurrect Black Adam.

Yeah I know its very much like Indiana Jones from that standpoint but what a great film series to emulate.

The tone of the movie should be Indy meets Rocketeer meets Max Fleischer's animated Superman series.

Oh, and yes to the Rock as Black Adam.

[Rowsdower!]

Yeah, Walker would really work for this.

What's with the gloves in that pic though?

[aNarcHy2day]

Owain Yeoman as Captain Marvel would be awesome too.
http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l546/darthefear/1_OwainYeoman_marv.jpg

Anyway, I was working on a Shazam Fancast and this is the thing I wanted to run past you guys-

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l546/darthefear/2_malkovich_shazam.jpg
as Shazam the Wizard?

I know he usually plays more, lets just say, anti-hero personalities in his films, but he's a good enough actor to pull this off?

PS: Already have someone for Sivana, in case that's the suggestion coming.

[The Guard]

No.

[aNarcHy2day]

No.


No?

Was really expecting something more than that.

[The Guard]

I might say the same to you.

[Rob Lobo]

why no? I think based on fancasting Owain Yeoman could make an amazing Big Red Cheese.

[The Guard]

Oh I wasn't saying "no" to that, although he does look like he'd transform children, too.

[Rob Lobo]

If John Malkovich, I could understand the "no" :P

[aNarcHy2day]

I know the Malkovich pick is iffy. That's why I was interested in knowing what you people think in the first place.

Any alternatives? I was thinking Terence Stamp making his DC return?

[Project862006]

like it was said on the other page

benjamin walker would make a great shazam!!!

[TheComicbookKid]

I know the Malkovich pick is iffy. That's why I was interested in knowing what you people think in the first place.

Any alternatives? I was thinking Terence Stamp making his DC return?

I mean, the Wizard is an inactive character so you're really casting for voice and presence.

Malkovich's voice isn't commanding or soothing.


I guess someone like Guy Pearce would make a good Wizard. Just don't using the make-up from Prometheus(ugh).

[The Guard]

Someone with classical experience and a ton of presence would be needed for Shazam. We're talking someone with more presence than Liam Neeson.

I can't think of anyone offhand. Probably a much older actor.

[batdude]

Patrick Stewart for the wizard.

[Rob Lobo]

Long time ago, someone suggested Leonard Nimoy. He would make an amazing Shazam!

[The Overlord]

Who should be the villain for this film? Dr. Sivana is Captain Marvel arch nemesis from the comics, but I'm not sure how he would provide a physical threat to Captain Marvel. Black Adam is pretty powerful and interesting, but you may want to save him for a sequel.

[aNarcHy2day]

The Power of Shazam graphic novel (1994) should be the way to go, IMO. Black Adam is probably even more famous than Captain Marvel. He should be there from the start.

I am seriously moving towards Terence Stamp right now. He won't be a bad Shazam, would he?

[TheComicbookKid]

Who should be the villain for this film? Dr. Sivana is Captain Marvel arch nemesis from the comics, but I'm not sure how he would provide a physical threat to Captain Marvel. Black Adam is pretty powerful and interesting, but you may want to save him for a sequel.

At these point there are three kinds of origin stories/trilogy outlines

Major villain in the first(Superman)-minor villain in the first(hold off on the major Iron Man/Bats)-and recurring(X-Men)

Sivana could work as a recurring villain that sets plots that Capt has to avoid, but Black Adam is the only real physical challenge that I know of.

Plus once you introduce Mary, things get way more complicated as to how you show violence.

[The Guard]

Why not just use Dr. Sivana and Black Adam in one film?

[TheComicbookKid]

Why not just use Dr. Sivana and Black Adam in one film?

Cause he doesn't have any other awesome villains except Mr. Mind.

I know the thing is to plan trilogies with dangling plot threads but I think Capt should be single stand alone movies. The kid is going to look older after two films so recasting will be more pronounced unless they just let him age like Harry Potter.


Or just CGI the franchise.

[Eddie Dean]

Sam Neill as The Wizard

[Changeling]

Hahaha because he played Merlin?! Love your sig by the way lol

[The Guard]

I don't think Shazam is one of those franchises where you can afford not to bring the best you have.

If there were to be multiple Shazam films, it would make perfect sense for Sivana and even Black Adam to have a role in all of them.

[TheComicbookKid]

If there were to be multiple Shazam films, it would make perfect sense for Sivana and even Black Adam to have a role in all of them.

But why? Because they're the best or because they're the only villains he has that wouldn't have to be totally reinvented?


This shouldn't be like the Mummy or Tintin. Standalone stories where it's just talking leading to the next set piece.

[Project862006]

all i know is the rock better be black adam

[Gabe99]

Jesse Metcalfe (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0582462/) from DALLAS looks like Captain Marvel. They should use him in the movie.

[The Guard]

But why? Because they're the best or because they're the only villains he has that wouldn't have to be totally reinvented?

Both. They're both just integral to his mythology.

You wouldn't have to use them in all three films, of say, a trilogy, but they should at least show up more than once.

Especially in the case of Black Adam, the potential to use him several different ways exists. Villain, ally, dictator, etc.

And Mr. Mind is a must.

[Rockstar]

Captain Marvel and Mary Marvel

http://www.aceshowbiz.com/images/wennpic/walker-winstead-premiere-abraham-lincoln-vampire-hunter-01.jpg

[TheComicbookKid]

^Mary should be a kid.


Both. They're both just integral to his mythology.

You wouldn't have to use them in all three films, of say, a trilogy, but they should at least show up more than once.

Especially in the case of Black Adam, the potential to use him several different ways exists. Villain, ally, dictator, etc.

Adam's cool but he's not very interesting as a villain,imo. Only when he's more after his own goals that Capt keeps stopping him.

Sivana I can see playing the more Magneto/Lex role where he sets up another villain to do his fighting.

And Mr. Mind is a must.

I'm not sure how to do Mr. Mind without doing it creepy.



In general I just think Capt would have to be the most surreal superhero movie to actually work.

[Rockstar]

But doesn't Mary Batson age up and transform into an adult when she becomes Mary Marvel?


That's how it was in the 1990s.

[TheComicbookKid]

I thought she was a teenager? No I'm thinking of the Golden Age version probably.

Mary and Freddy only changed outfits. Billy was the only one that changed age.


No matter, I prefer the Smith's Monster Society take where Mary is a kid.

[ЯɘvlveR]

http://cdn02.cdn.justjared.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/kreuk-tcasum/kristin-kreuk-jay-ryan-2012-tca-summer-party-01.jpg

green arrow and jay ryan. thought he looked liked captain marvel. :dry:

[aNarcHy2day]

But doesn't Mary Batson age up and transform into an adult when she becomes Mary Marvel?


That's how it was in the 1990s.

Ya. I read The Power of Shazam too and also The Monster Society of Evil.

YA... pretty sure Mary was in her late teens or something like that in Power of Shazam and so is Freddy Freeman and I like that version.

The best idea from The Monster Society of Evil was how they actually gave a face to Tawky Tawny and made him a vagabond spirit. That does away with the entire talking tiger thing which would have come out very oddly on screen.

My present Shazam cast is 30 characters long so I should be posting it on CBM soon. And I did go for older Mary and older Freddy in that one.

[66 Face]

Shazam is a tough character. There's almost no middle ground with him. Its either going to be a hit or a huge bust.

The WB better shoot for the stars on this one and get a director like Frank Darabont. He'l kmow how to get the mix of serious and fun right while having both. Also he's know how to trim away the cheesy stuff while respecting the comic book roots.

Another thing is that Billy Batson is going to have to be a great actor or the movie is going to get really annoying.

[JackIvyGB]

Captain Marvel is one of my favorite characters. I really hope that DC can bring him to the big screen and do it justice. My concern thought is with Dc wanting the character himself to go by the name "Shazam". I can see where they are coming form, but honestly it provides a few hurdles. The first and most obvious being that Shazam is the wizard's name. Now, you could simply portray it as though the wizard doesn't have a name, and that Shazam is simply the word that the wizard has looked for someone to pass it down to so they can use it wisely, and our hero uses to transform, and he decides to just use it as his name. But this leads to our second hurdle. How the public comes to know him as Shazam. Obviously it's far to coincidental for the public to dub him "Shazam" the same way Lois dubs Clark "Superman". So you would think at one point after he makes a save early on in the film, whoever he saved or a reporter on scene, or even a bad guy trembling in fear beneath him is going to ask the inevietable question: "Who are you?" And if DC mandates that Captain Marvel henceforth be referred to as Shazam himself, then that's the one question Billy can never answer, because as soon as he tries *BOOM* he's 12 again. Now, we could get creative and play it up as an aspect of Billy's humility that he doesn't want to be named, and only wants to be known as
"a friend" to the good and "your worst nightmare" to the bad guys, but it's iffy on how cheesy that could come off. Plus, even if it does work in one film, eventually, you're going to want the public to be able to call the character by his name, whether they're yelling "HI SHAZAM!" as he flies by, or if they're screaming "SHAZAM, HELP!!!"

Maybe a way around this could come in the form of a friend or ally that Billy shares his secret with early on, so when he makes that first public rescue, a reporter asks him a couple questions and he eats up the spot light, then flies off, then the reporter says "Crap, I didn't even ask what his name was!" and his friend is just staying there still awestruck by seeing what his best friend is capable of and tells her "Shazam". The reporter says "what was that kid" and the friend replies "His name is Shazam... and he's my friend... he's a friend to all of us."

Hokey maybe, but something along those lines? What are your guys' thoughts?

[The Guard]

I would think not being able to say his name would be half the charm of the concept...unless he wanted to reveal his identity.

[Dark Raven]

Anyone think that if a Shazam movie is ever made, they'll employ similar technology to all the live action movie Hulks and just have one actor play both Billy Batson and Shazam? Some child actors don't really look like their adult counterpart. Even when you look at adults' photos of when they were children, there is still a resemblance. Kurt Russell as a boy in that Elvis movie still looked recognisably like Kurt Russell as we know him today. Neil Patrick Harris as Doogie Howser looked like he does today as Barney Stinson.

Hulk doesn't normally look like Banner in the comics, and yet they've always chosen to make him have similar facial features. You can see this most prominently in Eric Bana's and Mark Ruffalo's Hulks.

So should an adult actor be digitally de-aged to look like a child or at least have his face digitally pasted and morphed onto a child's body? Or should they just get a proper child?

[batdude]

Well I don't think it's as critical with the Hulk as with Shazam! plus I honestly wouldn't mind if Billy was a teenager like the TV version. a proper kid/ teenager though.

[Airwings]

An actor de-aged to look like a child? Are you stupid or something?

[Lord]

I think two different actors is a better idea, a deaged actor may look bad

[BH/HHH]

I really think there's a ton of potential in a Shazam movie. I think you'd have to use two actors which isn't a problem in my opinion, I remember before when they were gonna make it the Rock was cast as Back Adam, I still think he'd be great casting for that role. I really hope they make a Shazam film.

Why not just use Dr. Sivana and Black Adam in one film?

Definitely it worked for the Brave & the Bold & that was a twenty min cartoon

[BH/HHH]

Now that WB have an animation division, I keep thinking that Shazam could work really well as a Pixar styled movie. I think it's gonna be hard to do in live action.

[BlackMagicWolf]

I think the easiest way to fix a problem like this is to cast two family members as Billy and SHAZAM!. It could be brothers or cousins as long as they look alike.

That's what I'm trying to do with my SHAZAM fan film. Billy is my cousin and I'm SHAZAM!. We look alike but I'm taller and more muscular than him not to mention I have a few years on him.

Here's my idea for a SHAZAM! (http://www.ign.com/blogs/guardianike33/2012/12/01/shazam-dcs-next-live-action-tv-series) show, it's tv show I know but it counts. I even started a Kickstarter (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/681494943/shazam-the-series) project to raise money for it. And here's the movie poster for my idea.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lu8hDRqs2cU/UQ1T4b6ArYI/AAAAAAAAAD0/RMMJiiKfmzg/s800/SHAZAMPoster2.jpg

[Airwings]

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lu8hDRqs2cU/UQ1T4b6ArYI/AAAAAAAAAD0/RMMJiiKfmzg/s800/SHAZAMPoster2.jpgAwesome, just awesome :word:

[BlackMagicWolf]

Thanks! Help spread the word i really want to make this fan-film.