Shazam! Director Talks About His Introduction To The Hero

08/08/2017 08:10 pm EDT

After dwelling in the horror genre for his last two films, director David F. Sandberg is taking on his biggest project yet with DC Films' Shazam!

And though he's excited of the opportunity, Sandberg is quick to admit that he doesn't have much prior knowledge of the Fawcett Comics character formerly known as Captain Marvel.

"To be honest, it was not a superhero I grew up with either," Sandberg said to Entertainment Tonight. "When I grew up in Sweden, there wasn't a lot of Shazam around. So it's someone who I've learned to love later in life as well, so I can relate to [people who are] new to Shazam. I think [it] might be a good thing that I'm doing it, because I know what you need to learn."

Though it goes without saying that Shazam! will definitely not be a horror film, Sandberg is quick to point out how it will be unlike Lights Out or Annabelle: Creation.

"It's very fun, lighthearted movie," Sandberg said. "It's about a kid who gets to become an adult superhero, so that's just gonna be so fun to explore."

It remains to be seen whether Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson will appear as Black Adam in the film, though recent rumors indicate that he will not and instead debut in his own solo film. And without Johnson's involvement, fans are waiting to hear their first casting announcement regarding the new film.

Sandberg says some casting news will be coming "hopefully soon."

Former Smallville actor Alan Ritchson recently expressed desire to play the role, though it's doubtful that Warner Bros. would go with a relative unknown for the character.

There's no official synopsis for Shazam! or Black Adam, but here's what Black Adam star Dwayne Johnson had to say about the latter film over on Instagram:

"One of the most powerful anti-heroes on the planet is coming. And he is coming in hot. Brace yourself for BLACK ADAM! It's a new dawn.

"Had a very cool and strategic meeting with the heads of DC about their entire universe. As a hard core DC fan, to get a real sense of the tonal shifts and developments coming in these future movies has me fired up. Something we, as DCfans have all been waiting for for a very long time. Hope, optimism & FUN. Even when talking about the the most ruthless villain/anti-hero of all time finally coming to life. Prepare yourselves DC Universe."

Disclosure: ComicBook is owned by CBS Interactive, a division of Paramount. Sign up for Paramount+ by clicking here.