The DC Extended Universe is getting larger and larger with more superheroes reportedly making their debut in the big screen. One of the characters from the DC Comics stable that is getting the standalone movie treatment is Shazam. Here is everything we know about the upcoming "Shazam!" movie.
"Shazam!" movie cast
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is the only actor confirmed for the "Shazam!" movie cast so far, and he is not even playing the protagonist. He is signed up to play Black Adam, the villain in the movie. However, Johnson was also offered the role of Shazam, but he chose Black Adam for this very reason.
"What made me choose Black Adam? I just felt Black Adam was inherently more interesting to me because I felt there were more layers to Black Adam, starting out as a slave and then ultimately becoming the anti-hero who we enjoy today," Johnson explains to Digital Spy.
There has been no news so far regarding the official casting for the role of Shazam, but actor Derek Theler is bidding for the role. According to ComicBook.com, Theler, who is known for his role in the TV sitcom "Baby Daddy," is campaigning through social media to let the world, and possibly Warner Bros. execs, of his desire to play the superhero.
To prove his point, he even shared mock-up photos of himself as Shazam as well as one photo of him with The Rock. It is reported that Theler is friends with Johnson, which possibly gives him an advantage.
"Shazam!" movie director
The "Shazam!" movie is still in the early stages, and there is still no word about what the plot will be and how it will be related to the other DCEU films. It is reported, however, that some clues suggest that "San Andreas" director Brad Peyton will be helming "Shazam!" Peyton and Johnson worked together in "San Andreas" and "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island."
It is already established that Johnson is heavily involved in the "Shazam!" project. Johnson was revealed to have had a meeting with DC Films creative head Geoff Johns, and it is speculated that he pitched Peyton for the part.
"Shazam!" release date
The "Shazam!" movie is expected to be out on March 8, 2019.