Shazam How Old Should Billy Batson be?

[project13]

Billy Batson is a young boy who can transform into a muscular superheroic adult. That is a core element of the Shazam franchise. Question is: how old should he be?

Personality, I think he should be about 13 years old. It makes sense since that is the age in most cultures do children undergo a "rite of passage".

 

[writer0327]

I was thinking 12. I have a feeling they'll make him younger, but I think the 7th grade age, which is about 12, is perfect. It's about the age where kids are at a crossroads of sorts... almost teenagers, maybe still playing with toys, but starting to get out of that, maybe fantasizing about being a superhero, starting to get interested in romantic relationships, finding new friends... you are at a crossroads of growing up. Could be a great theme to explore right there. How old was that kid in "Big" with Tom Hanks?

 

[Milk Tray Guy]

Yep, I'm also thinking around 12 - 13 yrs old.

 

[Hypestyle]

make him 10 years old, he can age into the role if there is a sequel. And of course, he won't stay a kid forever, so there's that issue...

 

[project13]

Here's an interesting idea:

Let's make Billy about 6 to 11 years old to match the demographic of our children!

 

[All-Father]

Around 13 years old would be fine!

 

[project13]

That's what I said!

P.S. That's was a joke when I said Billy should be about 6 to 11 years old. I wonder how old Billy is in the comics.

 

[project13]

It seems we have a confirmation on Billy's age:

"a 12-15 year old male granted access to incredible powers by the wizard Shazam [when] he speaks the wizard’s name and is struck by a lightning bolt that gives him the powers of the gods."

Source: http://thathashtagshow.com/2017/09/exclusive-two-front-runners-role-shazam-synopsis/

 

[metaphysician]

Sounds like they'll probably go for a slightly older actor who can pass for younger, then. Which is the smart move, in terms of avoiding obvious aging.

 

[project13]

Does anyone know how old Billy is in the comics?

 

[extra skater]

Was it ever revealed?

To me he should be between 12 and 13.