CaptainMarvel Tagged Articles at Cinematical

By: John Gholson

Screenwriter John August declared the Shazam feature film completely dead in January 2009, unable to come up with a screenplay that seemed to satisfy Warner Bros. "By "dead," I mean that it won't be happening. I don't think it's on the studio's radar at all, " August stated in a blog post.

I'm happy to report that John August was wrong. Shazam is most definitely on Warner Bros radar, and they've tasked DC Comics scribe Geoff Johns and rookie screenwriter Bill Birch with a new version of the script. Birch spoke to CineFOOLS about the project, "The way the story is shaking out, Geoff and I see this not as 'dark' as Dark Knight but definitely as cool...Tonally, I think it's important to successfully find the balance of comedy and danger in the story. That's a major aspect I'm focusing on. Frankly, hitting the right tone is what's going to either get this made or keep it in development hell."

Read the rest over at SciFi Squad

He may have lost the talents of John August, but Shazam! is still alive and well at Warner Bros, and here's the proof. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Peter Segal is still attached to direct, and the studio just hired actor-turned-writer Billy Birch to cowrite the script with Geoff Johns.

Captain Marvel is just one of many characters that Warner Bros and DC Comics is gearing up for a big-screen debut. Back in July, it was reported that the studio and comic company had reunited in a stronger, healthier relationship that both hoped would emulate the creative community at Marvel Studios. Johns, Grant Morrison and Marv Wolfman have been brought aboard to act as consultants, and Shazam! is just one of the properties benefiting from their influence.

The Shazam! movie has lacked the god driven powers of its hero, and has seen a lot of stops and starts in recent years, and finally seemed to be taking shape once August came on board as a writer, and Dwayne Johnson fueled fan buzz by having fans cast him in the film. (THR is mum as to whether he's still attached.) I really hope the sixth time(?) is the charm, and that Billy Batson finally gets his chance to transform. He's a character that has a lot of fans of all ages, and is poised to make a lot more in this superhero crazed era.

So remember that whole Shazam! movie, with John August writing, Peter Segal (Get Smart) directing and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson starring as the villain, Black Adam? Last year we talked about this project a lot, wondering which actor would eventually play Captain Marvel, as well as teenager Billy Batson. In fact, as recently as November of 2008, Variety had reported that Shazam! was part of Segal's first-look deal with Warner Brothers. (The project was originally set up at New Line, but moved to Warners when they went under.)

However, over on his blog, August says the project is now dead in the water after several re-writes, most of which came about after the studio wanted him to take the film from a lighter action-comedy to something much darker (a la The Dark Knight). And regarding the recent news that Segal would be directing, August notes that "press releases often have little relationship to reality." He does admit, though, that the movie may still happen ... just not with him onboard and not anytime soon. Which is a shame, because this pitch -- "Like Big, but with superpowers ..." -- definitely had potential.

Were you looking forward to Shazam!?

The Captain Marvel film seems to finally be moving forward again, if this Variety item is anything to go by. Get Smart's Peter Segal has set a first-look deal at Warner Bros., and as part of the deal the studio acquired the John August-scripted Captain Marvel which Segel is still in line to direct.

The film was originally set up at New Line, but we all remember what happened there, so Marvel fans will be relieved to know he's got a new studio to call home -- and one that all his DC friends are at. I'm curious about the title switch ... are they going to retitle it Captain Marvel, and risk everyone being confused as to which comic brand he belongs to?

The last word we had on the project was precisely a year ago, when Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson signed on to play the villainous Black Adam. Variety makes no mention as to whether he's still attached. I hope he is, the fans chose him! You can't recast after a stunt like that.

Considering it has a script, a director, a villain, and a studio, all Shazam/Marvel needs is its hero, and it could be on the big screen before Warner Bros decides what to do with Superman. I'm not the biggest fan of the character, but he's a perfect one for the kids, especially in this era of dark and gritty superheroes.

We all know casting isn't as easy as looking at a contender and saying yay or nay. Sometimes actors get moved around to different parts -- sometimes making them stars, and sometimes making them sidekicks. But how often is a big name up for two lead roles in one movie -- and wants the fans to decide? The Rock, otherwise known as Dwayne Johnson, told MTV News that he is looking into two polar-opposite parts in the upcoming superhero movie, Shazam! -- both hero Captain Marvel and villain Black Adam. He's not too keen on picking, so: "It's up to the fans."

First up: Captain Marvel. The DC Comics superhero wears a shiny red bodysuit, gold accessories, and a pretty fancy cape. He's the alter ego of Billy Batson, a young kid who works as a radio news reporter, but is chosen by the wizard Shazam to be a hero. When he says the wizard's name, he's struck by a magical lightning bolt that gives him tons of powers, muscles, and makes him The World's Mightiest Mortal.

The other choice: Black Adam. This is the black nemesis to Captain Marvel, wearing a similar, all-black superhero ensemble. He's the hero's most powerful foe -- having had a similar run-in with Shazam, but using it for corrupt means. Having been a hero, a villain, and later a struggling antihero, Black Adam has been all over the map.

Looking at the two comic heroes on Wikipedia, The Rock looks the part for both of them -- if they can find a mini-Rock to play the non-powered Batson. So, who do you pick?