As DC’s Shazam heads into prodcution, sources tell us that This Is Us actress Faithe Herman is joining the cast.
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There’s been no confirmation on the name of Herman’s character in the film, just that she will play of friend of young Billy Batson (Asher Angel) at a group home. Of course, fans of the Shazam comic book series – particularly the “New 52” reboot of the early 2010s – already have an idea who Herman could be playing.
Shazam has steadily been casting an ensemble of young actors who all will play Billy Batson’s group home palls; in the New 52 continuity, those same group home kids (who pretty much fit the description of young actors being cast in the film) are transformed into mystical superheroes themselves, referred to as “The Marvel Family” in DC Comics lore.
Of that group, Faithe Herman resembles Darla Dudley, the young African American girl who is Billy’s friend at the group home. When Billy/Shazam needs help defeating his nemesis Black Adam, Darla is one of the kids who receives a power up into one of the Shazam Family heroes. Alongside Herman, Shazam has cast the following young actors:
- Asher Angel as Billy Batson
- Jack Grazer (IT) as Freddy Freeman
- Ian Chen as Eugene Choi
- Jovan Armand as Pedro Peña
- Grace Fulton possibly playing Mary Marvel
Those are the six slots the Shazam Family needs, which almost guarantees the ensemble above will be playing them.
Shazam stars Zachary Levi (Chuck) as the titular hero, and is being directed by David F. Sandberg (Lights Out, Annabelle: Creation). It was written by Henry Gayden and Darren Lemke, and Kingsman star Mark Strong has also been in talks to play the film’s villain, Doctor Sivana. Check out a story synopsis for Shazam, below:
SYNOPSIS: “Shazam is the alter ego of a boy named Billy Batson who can transform into an adult superhero by uttering the magic word “Shazam!” The name is an acronym of the ancient world gods and historical figures Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles and Mercury, from which Batson derives his heroic attributes when in adult form.”
Shazam hits theaters on April 5th, 2019.
