Shazam General Discussion and Speculation

[LoganGambit87]

David F. Sandberg(Lights Out) In Talks To Direct ’Shazam

David F. Sandberg is in talks to direct “Shazam,” for New Line, TheWrap has exclusively learned.

Sandberg has “Annabelle 2” the sequel to 2014 supernatural horror film, “Annabelle,” set to be released by New Line on August 11th, 2017.

The Swedish filmmaker broke out with his 2016 debut “Lights Out,” which is based on his 2013 acclaimed horror short of the same name. A sequel to the film is also in the works at New Line.

Shazam, aka Captain Marvel, has an alter ego Billy Batson, who can transform into superhero form by saying the words “Shazam,” and then develops the powers of six mythological gods.

In the last decade, Shazam has regularly appeared in “Justice League of America” comics as well as Frank Miller’s “Batman” comics.

Dwayne Johnson is attached to star as anti-hero Black Adam in “Shazam” and also “Black Adam,” a standalone film also for New Line. The Black Adam movie will be developed concurrently with New Line’s “Shazam..” Both films are part of the DC Cinematic Universe.

Johnson previously teased a meeting with DC Films co-head Geoff Johns, promising “hope, optimism & FUN.”

New Line’s upcoming slate includes “Fist Fight,” “Going in Style,” “Annabelle 2” and “It.” The company collaborated with Johnson on “Central Intelligence” last year, and also released “The Conjuring 2,” “Lights Out,” “Me Before You” and “Collateral Beauty.”

[NotNickFury]

Well, Lights Out looks like it was well-received for his first outing as a director, so that's a plus at least. There's not much to go off besides that, especially given how I don't know what Shazam's tone would be compared to Lights Out, but it's an interesting choice, I'll say that.

I'm just going to convince myself that WB has a director for The Flash but is just saying nothing. That cool?

[Barry Parker]

Originally Posted by NotNickFury

Well, Lights Out looks like it was well-received for his first outing as a director, so that's a plus at least. There's not much to go off besides that, especially given how I don't know what Shazam's tone would be compared to Lights Out, but it's an interesting choice, I'll say that.

I'm just going to convince myself that WB has a director for The Flash but is just saying nothing. That cool?

Right? It's kind of getting annoying at this point, but maybe it means they're taking their time and trying to find the right director.

[Barry Parker]

Hollywood Reporter confirms it

andberg, the filmmaker behind the upcoming Annabelle 2, is in talks to direct the New Line Cinema adaptation of the DC Comics character, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. Sandberg released his debut feature Lights Out last year, with the horror film earning more than $148 million on a $4.9 million budget.

One of the oldest comic characters around, Shazam was originally known as Captain Marvel. The stories starred teen Billy Batson, who becomes the superhero when he utters the magic word "Shazam!" The name is an acronym for six gods and heroes of the ancient world as well as their attributes: the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Aries, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles and the speed of Mercury.
Last month, news broke that Dwayne Johnson, who has long been attached to play Shazam! villain Black Adam, would star in his own spinoff movie as the character. Johnson's big screen take on Black Adam will see him cast as an antihero, mirroring developments in recent DC Comics by Geoff Johns.

The Black Adam movie is concurrently being developed with Shazam, which has a script by Henry Gayden, according to a source.

More to come...

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hea...irector-977270

[Sawyer]

Was kind of thinking Shawn Levy, but I guess I'll see where they're going with this. Never saw Lights Out, so I can't very well oppose this.

[Jonwo]

Originally Posted by Sawyer

Was kind of thinking Shawn Levy, but I guess I'll see where they're going with this. Never saw Lights Out, so I can't very well oppose this.

Shawn Levy isn't available as he's doing Uncharted for Sony.

Using a horror director for a tentpole isn't new and James Wan, who admitfully already has blockbuster experience with Fast 7, Scott Derrickson did Doctor Strange and Sam Raimi directed the original Spider-Man trilogy.

[Fallen Angel]

Light's Out was a very good movie for a debut. It was also written by the writer of ARRIVAL too (Eric Heisserer).

[batdude]

Originally Posted by Sawyer

Was kind of thinking Shawn Levy, but I guess I'll see where they're going with this. Never saw Lights Out, so I can't very well oppose this.

Yeah, not enough information yet. Never heard of Derrickson before Dr. Strange and that movie is pretty awesome.

[terry78]

I think horror directors work for superhero flicks due to them not really being confined to making everything safe, for lack of a better term. They can add elements where the stakes can get pretty scary.

[batdude]

Yeah, It might not be necessary for Shazam! but you would want a good horror director for Justice League Dark characters for example.

[Milk Tray Guy]

Originally Posted by HighFivingMF

Not sure how to link from Instagram, but The Rock attended a meeting about mapping out DC's entire film universe.

Love it when actors get so involved in the bigger picture, rather than jusy turning up and saying their lines on cue.

[TheRedWraith]

It could because if they aren't using Adam for the first then the next logical step would be Sivana and Mr. Mind and for Mr. Mind I would want him to start small but by the end become a giant reality warping eldritch abomination caterpillar/worm/scorpion/spider/bat hybrid.

like this:

[Mad Love]

A Black Adam movie coming first sounds great. It's a fresh idea to have the starting point be the villain and it works perfectly for Shazam's story. Black Adam was the Wizard's student before Shazam.

Black Adam > Shazam > Shazam family... would be an awesome trilogy

[TheRedWraith]

But Black Adam doesn't even have a speculative director at this point, so it seems clear to me that Black Adam is not going to be coming out first, I don't even think he'll be in the first Shazam Movie. If he is then the Black Adam movie probably won't be detailing his origins, it would be detailing his exploits in the modern world after he's been defeated by Billy.

[Milk Tray Guy]

Originally Posted by Sawyer

You don't have the year that they've had-- largely bad reviews, a movie that should've easily made $1B falling about 200 short, another hacked to f***ing pieces as if by a machete-- without putting thought into how to right the ship. And after the success of Rebirth, I believe that Geoff Johns is the person to do that, not Snyder or "Based" Tsujihara.

I share your belief

[Milk Tray Guy]

Originally Posted by AVEITWITHJAMON

Interesting approach doing a villain movie first. Means the hero's movie doesnt need to develop the villain once it comes around.

I actually wouldn't mind more villains getting solo movies before coming to blows with the hero.

Part of the thinking behind Suicide Squad apparently.

[batdude]

Originally Posted by Milk Tray Guy

I share your belief

o

Yup, if either Shazam! or Black Adam is going to be made, we need GEOFF JOHNS for sure. He's the one that made anybody take Black Adam seriously.

[ManWithNoName18]

David F Sandberg will be at Wonder Con

Going to WonderCon on April 1st to do a panel during the Warner/New Line/DC event.

[Mandon Knight]

Originally Posted by ManWithNoName18

David F Sandberg will be at Wonder Con

Going to WonderCon on April 1st to do a panel during the Warner/New Line/DC event.

Pleasssse....

[Hypestyle]

This movie needs to not be hardcore dark.

Intense action is fine but I'd rather there not be widespread carnage-- especially if the expectation is that Black Adam becomes some kind of anti-hero in future appearances.

There's already a risk in making Johnson the villain here. He has to lose in the end, ultimately; they can't make him completely irredeemable. So, we'll see what happens.

Still no casting about Capt. Marvel, nor Billy. That's also disappointing. If Cap's actor isn't as charismatic as Johnson, that's going to be problematic.

Also, the "Marvel Kids" can be saved for a future film.

[Ultimate Thor]

Originally Posted by Hypestyle

This movie needs to not be hardcore dark.

Intense action is fine but I'd rather there not be widespread carnage-- especially if the expectation is that Black Adam becomes some kind of anti-hero in future appearances.

There's already a risk in making Johnson the villain here. He has to lose in the end, ultimately; they can't make him completely irredeemable. So, we'll see what happens.

Still no casting about Capt. Marvel, nor Billy. That's also disappointing. If Cap's actor isn't as charismatic as Johnson, that's going to be problematic.

Also, the "Marvel Kids" can be saved for a future film.

Yeah. It has to be the opposite dark, bleak, etc.

[Blitzkrieg Boy]

The Rock wants Armie Hammer for Shazam:

[Blitzkrieg Boy]

http://batman-news.com/2017/05/15/th...uperman-fight/

Last Christmas, The Rock and Henry Cavill teased future plans for their DC Comics characters of Black Adam and Superman. “We’re excited for what the future brings..,” they teased.

Now, in a new interview with Fandango, The Rock said point blank that Warner Bros. has plans for Black Adam to fight Superman in an upcoming movie! “One fine day… that’s coming,” Johnson said with a smirk. “That’s in the cards.”

[Lencho01]

I'd be surprised if Hammer didn't get the role.

[Sawyer]

Probably my second favorite choice after Channing Tatum.