Mark Strong Confirms Shazam! Villain Role

Mark Strong Confirms Shazam! Villain Role

Following the announcement of the release date, Shazam! has found its villain.

Mark Strong confirms he will play the villain of Shazam! with Dr. Thaddeus Bodog Sivana.

The fan-favorite actor is known for his previous comic book movie roles as Sinestro in the Green Lantern movie, Frank D’Amico in Kick-Ass and Merlin in the Kingsman movies.

”I’m playing an evil bastard called Doctor Sivana, they are always the best characters to play, the most fun.” Mark Strong said at the Cirque du Soleil ‘OVO’ at The Royal Albert Hall in London, reports Celebretainment. “I was Sinestro in Green Lantern, which I though was a rather good film, but it didn’t do what they wanted. So I feel like I’ve got unfinished business in the DC world. I played a pretty evil character in that, and he was meant to get even worse in the second one but that never happened, but I think I’m going to get the chance to do that in Shazam!, I hope so.”

Zachary Levi is playing the titular character and previously described the Shazam! movie as Superman meets Big. Mark Strong has a similar comparison with Stranger Things. 

 “It’s a funny film, it’s about a young boy who can become a superhero but still remains a young boy so there’s elements of Big, there’s elements of Stranger Things. I think originally the comic outsold Superman in the 1940s,” Strong said.

In the comics, Doctor Sivana is a mad scientist and enemy of Captain Marvel.

“I’ve been training like a mad man, I’m about to go over and see the stunt guys, I’ve been trying all of these harnesses on, and I think I’m going to be doing lots of flying around and firing electricity out of my hands,” Mark Strong offered.

Shazam! has an April 5, 2019 release directed by David Sanderg also starring Asher Angel as Billy Batson, Jack Dylan Grazer as Freddy Freeman, Ian Chen as Eugene, Jovan Armand as Pedro, with Cooper Andrews.

About Matt McGloin

Matt McGloin is the editor-in-chief and publisher of Cosmic Book News, the independent entertainment news site he founded in 2008. He covers movies, comics, TV, video games and pop culture and has reported major industry scoops over the years, including revealing the Avengers: Endgame title ahead of its official announcement. Through Cosmic Book News, he helped Marvel Comics promote Guardians of the Galaxy and Nova through exclusive previews, artwork, and interviews, with the site also quoted in solicitations and on comic covers. He also reported on Marvel’s Daredevil: Born Again retooling before it was later confirmed by the trades.

Recommended

‘Toy Story 5’ Heading To Franchise Record At Thursday Night Box Office
‘Toy Story 5’ Heading To Franchise Record At Thursday Night Box Office
Ryan Coogler Isn’t Done With Marvel — Black Panther 3 Is Next
Ryan Coogler Isn’t Done With Marvel — Black Panther 3 Is Next
James Gunn Responds to Man of Tomorrow’s New Superman Suit
James Gunn Responds to Man of Tomorrow’s New Superman Suit
Avengers: Doomsday Leak Looks More Real — But It Comes With a Catch
Avengers: Doomsday Leak Looks More Real — But It Comes With a Catch
Supergirl First Reactions: Milly Alcock Wins, Bland Villain, The Film Divides
Supergirl First Reactions: Milly Alcock Wins, Bland Villain, The Film Divides
Spider-Man: Brand New Day Scores Best Presales In Five Years — Even Without IMAX
Spider-Man: Brand New Day Scores Best Presales In Five Years — Even Without IMAX