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SHAZAM Director David Sandberg Talks Research and Lighthearted Tone

It was recently confirmed that director David F. Sandberg will be taking the helm of New Line’s Shazam movie. The long-awaited adaptation will be the next DC film to shoot, with production expected to begin early next year for a 2019 release. Now, Sandberg gives us some hints on what to expect.

Speaking with Moviefone, Sandberg reaffirms that Shazam will have a very light tone, in contrast to his history of horror films. He also admits that he didn’t grow up with the Captain Marvel Shazam character, but now that he has this gig, he’s definitely doing his research. “It’s not until now that I’m getting into the comics and reading a lot of the old ones, the Geoff Johns ones, The Power of Shazam, and looking at a bunch of animation. So I’m really getting to know the character.” He concludes by saying that Shazam is more of a New Line movie than a Warner Bros. movie, and he greatly enjoys working with the studio.

In a separate interview with Toronto Sun, Sandberg elaborates on what exactly drew him to Shazam. “The big attraction for me with that character is the fact that every kid dreams of being Superman, right? I mean I certainly did, and [Billy Batson] is a kid that gets that chance. He gets to become the superhero. So it’ll be big with superpowers in a way.” He also rehashes the movie’s tone, saying it will be more fun and lighthearted than other DCEU films.

The most recent draft of Shazam was written by Henry Gayden. Originally, Dwayne Johnson was attached to play Black Adam in this movie. However, he will instead star in his own movie, before potentially appearing in a Shazam sequel. With production beginning next year, expect casting news to come in the next few months or so.

Founder and Editor-in-Chief of WOBAM! Entertainment.