Heroes Reborn actor Zachery Levi has signed on the dotted line to play DC’s next superhero we aren’t familiar with: Shazam. Annabelle: Creation helmer, David F. Sandberg will be taking up directorial duties on the New Line Cinema production.
Related: Shazam News
The DC comic book adaptation Shazam!, follows 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.
Over the weekend, Levi, took to social media to announce his delight on expanding his superhero catalogue.
“Honored and greatly humbled to be a part of the #dcuniverse by bringing the original Captain Marvel to life,” the actor wrote on Instagram. “I am beside myself with gratitude, not only for this opportunity but also the incredible outpouring of love and support from so many of you out there in the world. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be in the gym for the rest of forever.”
Levi has previously starred in NBC’s Spy comedy Chuck and Heroes Reborn, and can currently be seen in Thor: Ragnarok. Other actors that are said to have gone up for the role are John Cena, Derek Theler (Baby Daddy), Zane Holtz (From Dusk Til Dawn: The Series), Billy Magnussen (Bridge of Spies) and Jake McDorman, the star of TV’s Limitless.
Henry Gayden and Darren Lemke have adapted the screenplay with Annabelle: Creation’s Peter Safran producing, reuniting once again with Sandberg.
Shazam will be next out of Warner Bros DC Universe which also has Flashpoint, Joss Whedon’s Batgirl and the Suicide Squad sequel waiting in the wings.
