In an era where every comic book that has the vaguest chance of being a feasible movie is, indeed, being made in to a movie, Billy Batson and the Legend of Shazam has the chance to be a unique comic book movie.
And director Peter Segal is of the same opinion. Alex at First Showing recently interviewed the Get Smart director, who expounded on what his Shazam movie will be like … and what it won’t be like.
“The reason why I signed on to this knowing fully well that there was an Iron Man, at that time in the works, and all of these other comic book properties out there is because I still believe that Shazam is unique,” said Segal. “It’s a different kind of story. It’s not about science, it’s not about a rich man and this is nothing against — my gosh, I adore Batman and Iron Man — but rich guys with problems inventing gadgets that help them fight crime. This is about magic, and it puts it more into a Harry Potter-esque kind of world …”
The story of young Billy Batson, who with the power of the magic word “SHAZAM!” is able to turn into Captain Marvel, a fully grown and superpowered man, is one of the oldest in today’s comic lineup. Originally published by Fawcett Comics back in 1939, the rights for Captain Marvel were later sold to DC, putting to rest a mass of legal troubles between the two companies.
I’m actually really looking forward to Segal and screenwriter John August’s treatment of Captain Marvel. There are a few roads to take, and Segal has previously said that they plan to stay true to the source material. Given Segal’s words, it looks like we’ll have a good movie at the end of it. For the rest of Segal’s interview, head along to First Showing.
It’s been so long, that the first thing I thought of when I saw “Shazam” was that movie back in the 90’s called “Kazaam” with Shaq as a genie in a boom-box…