Shazam! Director On Which Comics Are Informing His Version

While the release of the Shazam solo film is still quite a ways away, the film’s director is going […]

September 5, 2017, 2:15pm

While the release of the Shazam solo film is still quite a ways away, the film’s director is going above and beyond to get to know the DC Comics character.

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In a recent interview with Film Riot, David F. Sandberg was asked what Shazam comics he is reading before the film starts production. As Sandberg revealed, nothing in the character’s storied history is off-limits.

“I’m just taking it all in.” Sandberg explained. “Some of those really old ones are quite fun, when he’s like fighting Hitler and stuff like that. He’s been around since the [1940s], for like as long as Superman. So there’s a lot to read.”

With such a wide array of stories to draw from, Sandberg revealed that the film has several options to choose from in terms of how the young Billy Batson first becomes Shazam.

“And that’s also interesting,” Sandberg added, “because he sort of has a couple of different origin stories, a couple of different takes on it. You have the most recent, sort of Geoff Johns version, and then you have the [Jerry] Ordway version, and then you have those really old versions.”

Fans will just have to wait and see which origin Sandberg does choose when Shazam premieres in 2019.

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 DC fans 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.”

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