‘Shazam!’ Movie Updates: Dwayne Johnson’s Superhero Film Independent of Zack Snyder’s Involvement in DC’s Extended Universe; Producer Careful with Development

‘Shazam!’ is an upcoming film starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as the main villain. It is revealed to be independent of Zack Snyder’s involvement in the DC Extended Universe. Producer Dany Garcia said they were taking their time and are careful with the development of the film.

According to Nerdist, the upcoming film based on the DC comic book hero of the same name will be independent of the DCEU and exist on its own terms.

Garcia revealed during an interview with Newsweek, “Shazam is to live in the same world [as the other films] but we have incredible autonomy over this brand and franchise… We are working with a different team, different producers, directors… it’s a different set-up.”

She assured fans, "We don’t feel fettered by, or constrained by, the successes or failures and challenges of the other projects. That was a key component to our participation—that we be able to control the tone and the voice, and do it the way we want to. It needs to be of the world.”

In the original comic books, Shazam is the secret identity of a young foster child named Billy Batson. Billy instantly transforms into an adult superhero upon calling out the wizard Shazam’s name. The character was formerly known as Captain Marvel and first appeared in “Whiz Comics #2” historically and was re-introduced as Shazam in “Justice League (Volume 2) #7.”

Shazam is endowed with superhuman knowledge, speed, strength, and advanced healing. He also possesses the powers of flight, clairvoyance, hypnosis as well as inter-dimensional travel and sorcery.

No details have emerged regarding the actor playing the lead role of Shazam but Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has boarded the project as Shazam’s arch nemesis Black Adam. According to Maxim, Johnson’s involvement as the villain was first announced in 2014. He is also set to co-produce the upcoming film with Garcia.

According to Newsarama, Garcia acknowledged the slow and careful pacing of the film’s development. She said, “We’re getting [script] drafts in… it’s important to make sure we get the tone right for Black Adam, which is Dwayne’s part… We don’t mind taking our time. We’re being very careful with each act and scene to go back and layer in as much as possible.”

‘Shazam!’ is an upcoming action-adventure and fantasy film scheduled to be released on April 5, 2019 in the United States. It stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as the villain Black Adam.