Shazam

Shazam! has an April 5, 2019 release. We all have a superhero inside us, it just takes a bit of magic to bring it out. In Billy Batson’s case, by shouting out one word—SHAZAM!—this streetwise 14-year-old foster kid can turn into the adult Super Hero Shazam (Levi), courtesy of an ancient wizard.

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Movie News

James Gunn Was Offered DC Movies: Talks Shazam, Batgirl, Suicide Squad & More

Guardians of the Galaxy 2 director James Gunn reveals he was offered to direct DC movies, though exactly when is unclear.

Gunn recently participated in a Facebook Q&A where he mentioned his favorite DC characters he would like to direct.

“I thought there was some amazing action sequences in Man of Steel, but I haven’t seen the other two films [Batman Vs Superman and Suicide Squad]. I’ve had opportunities to make DC films, but I haven’t said yes to anything, and not sure I would at this time,” Gunn said. “I’ve talked before about which projects appeal to me the most IF I was into making one, and it’s always Shazam and Metal Men and Swamp Thing and [Jonah] Hex and a few other DC IPs I’ve enjoyed for a great deal of my life.”

Gunn also let it be known that the Cassandra Cain version of Batgirl is one of his favorite female superheroes, and he talked about the fact that Suicide Squad topped his 2014 Guardians of the Galaxy movie at the August box office.

“It beat us first weekend,” Gunn said. “We almost made more money second weekend. And there is a very likely chance we’ll make more money at the end of the day (we made more domestically than BvS even). The great thing about Guardians wasn’t that it came in and made a ton of money but that so many people went and told their friends about the movie, who went to see it, and that people kept coming back again and again. By the time we were in the later weeks, we were making more money than any comic book film EVER, which was such an amazing feeling for those of us who put our hearts into it.”

Regarding the DC movies, Dwayne Johnson is attached to the Shazam movie as both a producer and the villain Black Adam; Justice League Dark (Swamp Thing) looks to have been axed in favor of an animated movie; Jonah Hex did just appear on DC’s Legends Of Tomorrow last season, and a Metal Men movie was said to be in the works a few years ago directed by Barry Sonnefeld, which looks to have never gotten off the ground floor or is still waiting for the full green light.

James Gunn also said Guardians of the Galaxy 3 will probably get made, but he’s unsure if he will return to direct the third movie.

(via den of geek/collider)

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” has a May 5, 2017 release starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Michael Rooker and Sean Gunn. New cast members include Pom Klementieff, Elizabeth Debicki, Chris Sullivan and Kurt Russell.

Synopsis:

Set to the all-new sonic backdrop of Awesome Mixtape #2, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” continues the team’s adventures as they unravel the mystery of Peter Quill’s true parentage.

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Movie News

Dwayne Johnson Shazam Movie Connected To Justice League Universe

Details are finally made known about the Dwayne Johnson Shazam movie which sees the Rock starring as the villain/anti-hero Black Adam.

Johnson’s producing partner and manager, Dany Garcia, tells Newsweek that Shazam is set within the DC Justice League universe, and that Shazam won’t be featuring the same producers that worked on Batman Vs. Superman and Suicide Squad, which have been receiving the blame for those two movies’ poor performances.

Shazam is to live in the same world [as the other films] but we have incredible autonomy over this brand and franchise,” Garcia said. “We are working with a different team, different producers, directors… it’s a different set-up. 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,” Garcia continued. “You’ve got Justice LeagueWonder Woman with a different director, so you’re going to see different points of view. I think by the time we land with [Shazam] we’ll fit nicely within the world that’s been created, but not such a shorthand relationship. [It’ll be] enough that people say, ‘Oh, this is within the family,’ but the culture will be a little different.”

Garcia also let it be known they are presently getting the Shazam script right as they want to made sure they get the tone right for Dwayne Johnson’s Black Adam.

Regarding Shazam being set within the DC Justice League universe, Dwayne Johnson did call out Henry Cavill’s Superman on two occasions on social media. Johnson posted that Black Adam vs. Superman wouldn’t happen in the first movie, “but nothing would make me happier. [Superman has] it comin’.” Johnson also posted a pic of himself a while back wearing a Superman t-shirt teasing, “No capes.”

Shazam currently has an April 5, 2019 release; no director or other actors are attached as of yet.

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Movie News

Cool Dwayne Johnson Black Adam Fan Art

Check out a super cool piece of fan art of Dwayne Johnson as Black Adam as The Rock stars as the potential villain/ant-hero in the upcoming Shazam movie.

The art comes from the stevedesignsthings Instagram page.

Not much has been said as of late regarding the Shazam movie other than Dwayne Johnson stating it’s going to happen sooner rather than later. Shazam is also being released under WB’s New Line Cinema wing and seems to be more independent of the Justice League movies. No director is attached, and it’s thought Shazam may be released in 2019 (or sooner according to Johnson’s words). 

Toby Emmerich, president of New Line, did offer the following back in May:

“[Shazam! is] a DC comic, but it’s not a Justice League character, and it’s not a Marvel comic. The tone and the feeling of the movie will be different from the other range of comic book movies. [It] will have a sense of fun and a sense of humor. But the stakes have to be real.”

Shazam has also been described as “bad ass fun” by a producer on the movie.

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Movie News

New Justice League & DCEU Rumors

With the Justice League movie officially starting filming today in the UK, how about some rumors?

While not the best source of rumors, maybe these batch of DC movie 4Chan rumors explains why Black Canary was recently killed off in Arrow?

Justice League has a November 17, 2017 release.

• Zack Snyder might not direct JUSTICE LEAGUE 2 if JUSTICE LEAGUE also receives critical backlash.

• JUSTICE LEAGUE is massive and filled with characters. Snyder and Chris Terrio wrote the script together.

• Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Ezra Miller, Jason Momoa, Ray Fisher, Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne, J.K. Simmons, Jena Malone, Jeremy Irons, Connie Nielsen, Viola Davis, Diane Lane, Joe Morton and Harry Lennix are the returning actors from previous movies.

• Amber Heard, Alona Tal, Imogen Poots, James Remar, Alfred Molina and Ed Harris are also cast as Mera, Black Canary, Iris West, Darryl Frye, Thomas Morrow and General Wade Eiling.

• Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Tessa Thompson are in negotiations to play Sarah Charles.

• Javier Bardem, Jackie Earle Haley, Frances McDormand, Joel Edgerton, Rosamund Pike, Bill Nighy and Willem Dafoe have also been approached and/or are in discussions for undisclosed roles.

• AQUAMAN will feature Ocean Master and the Trench. Black Manta is not slated to appear at this point.

• THE FLASH will feature the Reverse-Flash, but it’s a “new twist” that producers are confident will set it apart from the TV show.

• Shawn Levy is the frontrunner to direct SHAZAM.

• Matt Reeves, Duncan Jones and Rian Johnson have been approached about GREEN LANTERN CORPS.

• CYBORG is still in the backburner until JUSTICE LEAGUE provides feedback on the public’s reception of Cyborg. If it happens, it’ll have a black director.

• Ben Affleck is still reluctant to direct the new BATMAN movie, but he’s writing it. It’ll definitely include Jared Leto’s Joker. 

• SUICIDE SQUAD 2 is likely to happen in 2018/2019 judging by early reactions.

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Movie News Star Wars

Ezra Miller Flash Movie Gets Moved Up

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It’s being reported the Ezra Miller The Flash movie has been moved up a week by Warner Bros. from from March 23, 2018 to March 16, 2018.

WB has yet to officially announce a release date for The Flash film, but the March 2018 release date has been heavily speculated for a while. Below you can check out the recent Dawn of the Justice League Flash featurette. Ezra Miller will also first appear in Batman Vs. Superman.

It’s also reported WB has given an “event film” a March 2, 2018 release date, and also a New Line tentpole release (Dwayne Johnson San Andreas sequel? Shazam?) on April 20, 2018.

In addition, Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player One has changed its release date as a result of the new December 2017 Star Wars: Episode VIII release date. Ready Player One will now get released on March 30, 2018.

(via Variety)

Dawn of the Justice League Flash Featurette:

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Movie News

Dwayne Johnson Calls Out Superman

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Could we see Henry Cavill in Shazam?

Well, if things keep going the way they are going, Cavill may want to suit up as Big Blue to take on Black Adam Dwayne Johnson.

Johnson posted the following image of himself on Instagram wearing a Superman t-shirt.

Things get good when we see what The Rock wrote as he calls out Superman.

No capes. #OneFineDay #BlackAdamIGKSDITD #TethDNA

We see Johnson is making fun of Superman for the fact he wears a cape, and Johnson also says Black Adam Is Going To Kick Superman Directly In The Dick.

Those are some big words!

Dwyane Johnson is set to play Black Adam in the Shazam movie, which is due out in 2019.

 

No capes. #OneFineDay #BlackAdamIGKSDITD #TethDNA

A photo posted by therock (@therock) on

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Movie News

Guillermo del Toro No Longer Attached To Justice League Dark

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It’s learned Guillermo del Toro is no longer attached to Justice League Dark.

Yesterday saw Warner Bros. shuffle their DC Vertigo titles around which saw Sandman moved from WB to sister arm, New Line Cinema.

In THR‘s report on the news, they state insiders say Guillermo del Toro is working on Pacific Rim 2 and is prepping for the release of Crimson Peak and is no longer set to direct Justice League Dark.

It is noted Justice League Dark is still at Warner Bros.; the movie is set feature the supernatural characters of the DCU including Constantine, Swamp Thing, Zatanna, and Deadman. The reason given (which may be why Guillermo del Toro is no longer attached) is that DC Comics recently moved the JLD characters into their regular DC Universe and the movie is doing the same.

Sandman is based on the Neil Gaiman comic and is being developed by Jospeh Gordon Levitt.

Dwayne Johnson’s Shazam is still at New Line as well.

Deadline reports the reason for the Vertigo titles shifting to New Line under Toby Emmerich and Richard Brener is that the Vertigo titles are considered “subversive” compared to the WB-steered DC Comics titles with those “venerable superheroes.”

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Movie News

Black Adam Easter Egg In Dwayne Johnson’s San Andreas

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Dwayne Johnson‘s latest action-packed blockbuster debuted this weekend with San Andreas, which looks to be the #1 movie at the box office.

Johnson will also be portraying the anti-hero/villain of the Shazam movie with Black Adam.

Now thanks to a reddit user, it’s become known San Andreas has a Black Adam Easter Egg.

Spoiler follows for San Andreas.

Johnon’s co-star in San Andreas, Alexandra Daddario, plays Blake and in once scene refers to Dwayne Johnson as “this generation’s Adam, but black.”

Obviously, it’s a reference to Johnson as Black Adam.

Who knows though, maybe it’s a hint that San Andreas director Brad Peyton will be reteaming with Dwayne Johnson on Shazam as well.

Shazam has a planned 2019 release date, but on more than one occasion, Dwayne Johnson has stated the movie will be released earlier; as of yet, no actor has been cast as Shazam.

(It probably should be noted San Andreas is a WB movie as well.)

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Movie News

Dwayne Johnson Says Black Adam Will Be Released Earlier Than 2019 (Video)

While promoting his latest movie San Andreas, Dwayne Johnson offers a tidbit about the DC Shazam movie.

While Johnson previously said we might get to see him suit up as Black Adam earlier than the originally announced 2019 release date, in the video above Johnson says it is going to be released earlier.

“No. I don’t think it’s going to be that far away,” Johnson says while shaking his head. “I think it may be… It shou– It’s going to be earlier than that. I don’t think 2019.”

Johnson also again offered that Black Adam will start off as more of a villain as Black Adam’s roots don’t feature the character becoming a superhero automatically.

“The cool thing is, with Black Adam, is he’s an anti-hero, and his core comes from he was a slave. When you have that foundation, I think, as a hero – you weren’t born into greatness – he wasn’t born into greatness like superheroes generally are. He was born in a humble way and he was enslaved. I can’t wait.”

Johnson’s San Andreas hits May 29th.

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Movie News

Dwayne Johnson Says People Will Feel Black Adam’s Wrath (Video)

Check out comments Dwayne Johnson made about playing Black Adam in the upcoming DC movie Shazam.

Johnson attended the world premiere for his latest action flick San Andreas and offered Black Adam is “fueled by a righteous anger.”

“I can’t wait.  He’s a unique type of villain. For the fans out there that know the mythology, when you start off as a slave, you’re not in a good mood! There’s a heavy wrath that a lot of people have to pay. But when it’s fueled by a righteous anger, if you will, like Black Adam, then you open up to what the character can be, which I’m really excited about. That’s why he’s not just a straightforward bad guy.”

Shazam presently has a 2019 release, but Johnson said a while back it’s possible it could get moved up. Presently, no director is attached or actor for Shazam has been cast as of yet.

Dwayne Johnson stars in San Andreas, which has a May 29th release.

You can watch more in the video above including The Rock talking his future with WWE.

San Andreas trailer:

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Movie News

Dwayne Johnson Explains Why Black Adam

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With Dwayne Johnson being the People’s Champ, why did the fan-favorite actor go with Black Adam for the DC Shazam movie?

Johnson explains to Digit Spy that Black Adam is a character he loves and has been drawn to for the past ten years.

I felt ultimately, and this is with all due respect to Shazam, Billy Batson, it’s a mythology that I love, it’s been with me for almost 10 years now. What made me choose Black Adam was I just inherently felt Black Adam was more interesting to me, because I felt like there were more layers to Black Adam, starting out as a slave and then ultimately becoming the anti-hero who we enjoy today.

Shazam has a 2019 release, though Dwayne Johnson did recently state the release date might be moved up. 

The actor playing Shazam has yet to be cast as well.

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Movie News

Dwayne Johnson Says Shazam Script Is Fantastic & Updates On Casting

We just heard Dwayne Johnson talking how Black Adam may eventually join the Justice League, and now Johnson offers more insight to the bad guy soon to be turned anti-hero.

Dwayne Johnson offers a casting update for Shazam as well as more on Black Adam‘s transformation from a bad guy to anti-hero.

Here’s the text:

“I can’t wait to hear more casting news. No, we haven’t picked a Shazam yet,” Johnson offers. “We have been working on the script. Half the scripts already come in. Fantastic. Very excited about it. And what I’m really excited about is, because, again, I’ve lived with this character, and this opportunity for almost 10 years now, so it’s like, in my DNA – I’m like a little kid – and it’s the opportunity to create his journey. But his journey has to start out properly – and starting out properly is not him being a hero – that’s got to be earned. He starts off as a slave, and he’s pissed off and people are going to pay, but eventually down the line he’ll become an anti-hero.

“I’m not quite to sure yet,” Johnson replied when asked if they are looking to cast separate actors for the role of Shazam. There is a lot of opportunity, I think, with technolog. Maybe do a cool face replacement like they did in Captain America. Maybe do something like that. Maybe cast two separate actors. I’m not quite too sure.”

Shazam is due out in 2019, but may be released earlier.

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Movie News

Dwayne Johnson Says Black Adam May Join Justice League

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Putting the puzzle pieces together: 1) It is Dwayne Johnson, and 2) Black Adam is being said to be an anti-hero and not a straight-up villain; so it’s not a stretch to think that at some point down the line Johnson’s Black Adam could lean more toward the superhero side of things.

That is pretty much what IGN says to Dwayne Johnson in the following video when they ask if Johnson thinks Black Adam could eventually join the Justice League.

Dwayne Johnson agrees, but also implies Black Adam has to go a more darker route to get there as he offers, “At first, daddy’s got to go to work,” which also hints at Black Adam kicking some butt and clashing with other heroes.

As it stands right now, Shazam has a 2019 release, but Dwayne Johnson also previously said that the movie might get an earlier release.

Here is the text of Johnson’s response.

I think so, and I think you always want to leave that creatively open, that he could join the Justice League, and I think that’s the fun part of creating this character right now and everybody involved, from studio, from New Line, to Warner Bros. as well, to the writer, our producing partners — you you definitely want to engage in his heroic side.

But that has to be earned, and with a mythology and the mythology of Black Adam starting off as a slave – because when you start off as a slave – just inherently, there’s things in your DNA — that piss you off [lughs]. And that’s the bottom line, so I think we have to respect and pay homage to the true mythology, and then the heroic side will come down the line.

But I think it’s important, and I feel we all feel it’s important and I believe the fans at IGN feel it’s important, to make sure the homage is paid at the beginning because then you have a stronger foundation to stand on, and so he will become an anti-hero, but at first — daddy’s got to go to work. 

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Movie News

Shazam Might Be Released Earlier Says Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne Johnson will be playing Black Adam in the Shazam movie, which WB set for a 2019 release date.

Now it’s learned it’s possible the Shazam movie might be coming earlier than expected.

Dwayne Johnson was a presenter at this past Sundays’ Academy Awards. MTV caught up with the actor to get an update on Shazam.

“It may happen a little ealier than what has been predicted,” Johnson offered. “The script is coming in, it’s great. The support from the studio has been great, and it’s just a great opportunity, especially with Black Adam, where you can take a guy who starts off as a bad guy and turns into an anti-hero. We can make him vicious; a little bit of winking charm.”

Johnson also says Shazam hasn’t been cast.

“Don’t know, yet.”

Previous interviews also saw Dwayne Johnson confirm Shazam is set in the same universe as Batman Vs. Superman.

Dwayne Johnson has Fast and Furious 7 and San Andeas coming out next year.

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Movie News

Dwayne Johnson Talks Black Adam & Fighting Batman & Superman

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Dwayne Johnson is featured in the next issue of Total Film magazine where he talks about playing Black Adam in Shazam and also about Batman vs. Superman.

“I think Black Adam is going to grow into becoming an anti-hero,” Johnson says. “It’s all written within the spirit of respecting and paying homage to the comics. As we know, Black Adam started out as a slave. When he’s given the powers, he utilised them. Then in the wake of his powers, tragedy strikes, which turns his sentiment and tone in terms of psychology.”

Johnson previously made comments about Shazam having more freedom and being independent of the other DC movies, but here he does say they are all connected.

“It was all agreed that the worlds are all interconnected… One day you will see Black Adam go at it with Superman or Batman or any of the DC characters. But that said, there’s a great independence to Black Adam from the DC world, allowing us to inject, not only viciousness, but also winking humour.”

Shazam has a 2019 release date.

“Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” has a March 25, 2016 release starring Ben Affleck as Batman, Henry Cavill as Superman, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Laurence Fishburne as Perry White, Diane Lane as Martha Kent, Jeremy Irons as Alfred, Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, Ray Fisher as Cyborg with Callan Mulvey, Holly Hunter and Tao Okamoto in new character roles for the film. Justice League is to follow directed by Zack Snyder as well.

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Comic Book News

Review: Justice League #0

Do not fret Justice League fans, although not a single Leaguer is seen in this book, it is still a great story that gives us the New 52 origin of Shazam!

Finally, no longer just a back-up story, Geoff Johns gives fans what they have been clamoring for! Billy Batson may have entered this series as a mere troubled boy, but he emerges as the wielder of the living lightning — Shazam!

The story is one of power and what you can do when the odds that have always been stacked against you, come crumbling down. What would you do if you were suddenly able to do anything you could ever dream of? What if you could do anything, but still retained the mind of a troubled youth — one that has seen too many hardships over the years? Would you squander it, do horrible things with it or just have fun with it?

Johns isn’t afraid to ask the smart questions in this book, but at times his tale seems to parallel Mark Millar’s Superior mini-series far too closely. Not to say this tale doesn’t have a unique story to tell, quite the contrary, but it does have similarities that are far too glaring. Similarities aside, the book itself is very well done and will make any fan glad that Shazam is back in the DC Universe!

As good as the core story is, the back-up is the one that will garner the most buzz. Written by Johns and drawn by Ethan Van Sciver, we are drawn into the web of the enigmatic — Trinity of Sin. We witness Pandora’s frustration over her judgment and finally get to see a fleeting glimpse of the mysterious “third” sinner. What we don’t know is why these beings are here, what they mean to do and if they are working for or against mankind. A truly rich and intriguing finish to a great book, one that will leave you with questions. Or better yet, THE Question!

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