Shazam The Billy Batson/Shazam casting thread

[aNarcHy2day]

Charlie Rowe as Billy Batson

to

Armie Hammer's SHAZAM

 

[regwec]

They do look like they could be the same person at different ages.

I think, at 19, Rowe is too old to play Billy, however.

 

[Airwings]

Ashton Kutcher for the grown Billy!!!
We're no longer in the years 2000-2007, when Brendan Fraser was THE ONE for the character

 

[Spider-Fan83]

They do look like they could be the same person at different ages.

I think, at 19, Rowe is too old to play Billy, however.

true, if they went with a teenage Billy (not saying they should) they'd have to go with a much older Shazam... Hammer is only what 9 years older then Rowe?

 

[aNarcHy2day]

Even though it's my own pick I usually am the first to point out that an actor is too old for a role. So I agree with that particular calling out.

I, though, was working on the premise that Hollywood has been casting 20-somethings as teenagers since forever and Rowe looks a lot like a young Hammer and is a good actor.

 

[LEVITIKUZ]

I wanna pitch someone for Shazam. Completely left field, doubt anyone has mentioned it but could work.

Tom Hardy.

Imagine if Tom got to his Bane size for Shazam. He's shorter than the Rock and you can use that as an advantage.

I know he would pull it off.

George Miller directs Shazam, Hardy playing Shazam, the Rock as Black Adam.

Tell me that's not ****ing epic.

 

[Wheels]

I wanna pitch someone for Shazam. Completely left field, doubt anyone has mentioned it but could work.

Tom Hardy.

Imagine if Tom got to his Bane size for Shazam. He's shorter than the Rock and you can use that as an advantage.

I know he would pull it off.

George Miller directs Shazam, Hardy playing Shazam, the Rock as Black Adam.

Tell me that's not ****ing epic.

No. Just no. Tom just has the wrong vibe for Shazam. He is too much of a grizzled badass type.

 

[random_havoc]

They've really made it darn near impossible to cast anyone as Shazam. It's hard to find somebody that looks like the Rock wouldn't walk all over them. But they also have to find someone that massive/ripped who is also an A class acting talent with the character's trademark big beaming smile. It'll be amazing if they find someone that fits all that.

 

[terry78]

I'm still laughing at the possibility of Miller directing it.

 

[Zoom]

I'm still laughing at the possibility of Miller directing it.

Laughing? Why?

 

[Wheels]

They've really made it darn near impossible to cast anyone as Shazam. It's hard to find somebody that looks like the Rock wouldn't walk all over them. But they also have to find someone that massive/ripped who is also an A class acting talent with the character's trademark big beaming smile. It'll be amazing if they find someone that fits all that.

I don't think you need a class acting talent for Shazam necessarily. It would be great to have that but I don't know if it's needed. Alan Ritchson, Benjamin Walker, and Armie Hammer are the best options I've heard.

 

[regwec]

I think it is a role which would put modest demands on an actor who was perfectly cast to type, but which would be very challenging for an actor who was cast against type. I don't think you could have a successful Michael Keaton-type Shazam, because the concept of the role is so dependent on the imagery of an idealised, clean-cut, square jawed superhero.

Selling the naivete of the character in a way that is charming rather than grating may present certain difficulties, however. I don't think any old meat-head action movie star would do. The Rock would have been perfect, ironically.

 

[terry78]

Whoever they cast will have to be believable in pulling off a kid's mindset so acting will be needed. Big is the best example. Hanks actually made you believe that kid had grown into him. Right now if Walker or Hammer got it I'd be fine, as I think they could both !manage it.

 

[Micromind]

They've really made it darn near impossible to cast anyone as Shazam. It's hard to find somebody that looks like the Rock wouldn't walk all over them. But they also have to find someone that massive/ripped who is also an A class acting talent with the character's trademark big beaming smile. It'll be amazing if they find someone that fits all that.

John Krasinski, Armie hammer, Benjamin Walker all are tall actors with decent acting skills and have some innocence that is needed for playing Shazam . (Captain Marvel)

 

[Zoom]

John Krasinski, Armie hammer, Benjamin Walker all are tall actors with decent acting skills and have some innocence that is needed for playing Shazam . (Captain Marvel)

Good choices.

 

[random_havoc]

John Krasinski, Armie hammer, Benjamin Walker all are tall actors with decent acting skills and have some innocence that is needed for playing Shazam . (Captain Marvel)

In my comment I pointed out that the person would have to be massively ripped, I don't know Benjamin Walker offhand but the other two would look laughable next to the rock. And it's not just a matter of adding some bulk or definition like a number of other roles. They have to compare to the Rock whose been perfecting his body for years and is ripped while also being built like a tank.

Btw, Krasinski for Shazam? Doesn't have nearly the heroic presence the character needs. I could see Hammer maybe.

 

[regwec]

I don't think the actor needs to be "ripped" at all, but simply big and strong in the traditional, wholesome, outdoorsy, 1950s way. There ought to be something a bit old fashioned about him, and Black Adam is often the more physically imposing of the two.

 

[GREEN =w= DAY]

Matt Bomer for Shazam/Captain Marvel

 

[aNarcHy2day]

In my comment I pointed out that the person would have to be massively ripped, I don't know Benjamin Walker offhand but the other two would look laughable next to the rock. And it's not just a matter of adding some bulk or definition like a number of other roles. They have to compare to the Rock whose been perfecting his body for years and is ripped while also being built like a tank.

Btw, Krasinski for Shazam? Doesn't have nearly the heroic presence the character needs. I could see Hammer maybe.

As you yourself said, The Rock has been working on his body for ages and there is no way someone could match up to him without partaking in Steroids or summin'.

All these candidates are well above 6 feet and even with some work out can look decent enough in front of The Rock.

 

[iamtheO_N_E]

Derek Theler as Shazam.......debate over!!! lol

 

[regwec]

Er...who?

 

[Lobo]

You know who would have killed in this part a few years ago? Jerry O'Conell

 

[iamtheO_N_E]

Er...who?

Derek Theler is an American film and television actor and model. Wikipedia
Born: October 29, 1986 (age 28), Fort Collins, CO
Height: 6' 5" (1.96 m)
Education: Colorado State University
TV shows: Baby Daddy
Nominations: Teen Choice Award for Choice TV: Breakout Star

He has the height, build and is the perfect age to play the role for years to come. His star is on the rise and he's the best choice that I've heard of for the role by far. He also was one of the actors who auditioned to play Captain America, so he is open to playing a comic book hero

 

[regwec]

Are you him, or his agent?

 

[NotSoLongAgo]

I don't think you need a class acting talent for Shazam necessarily. It would be great to have that but I don't know if it's needed. Alan Ritchson, Benjamin Walker, and Armie Hammer are the best options I've heard.

I agree. Ritchson would be fine in the role imo. He actually did surprisingly well as raph in tmnt. And besides, it's not like the rock is Class A acting talent.