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Shazam Writer Talks Latest Script Draft

Kofi Outlaw — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:21:28 +0000

Back in August we told you that writer/actor Bill Burch was teaming with red-hot comic book scribe Geoff Johns to work on a script for the long-delayed adaptation of DC Comics’ Shazam! Well, MTV recently checked back in with Burch to see how the script was coming along and Burch was kind enough to drop some details about the direction he and Johns are going with Shazam and what fans should and SHOULD NOT expect from the movie.

Also in discussion: the likelihood that we’ll see Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson actually donning the black and gold garb of Captain Marvel’s arch nemesis, Black Adam.

A few things upfront: As of now it’s looking like Get Smart director Peter Segal is still attached to direct Shazam - Segal was linked to the project when it reportedly stalled while in development early this year. However, that D.O.A. report came from a writer working on a previous draft of the script, and since that writer has been replaced and Segal is still apparently onboard, I think it’s safe to extrapolate that DCE/WB had problems with Shazam on a script level, not a directorial one. Bringing on Geoff Johns, a proven master of the DC Universe, probably plugged that particular hole.

Next, here’s what Burch had to say about the longtime rumor that Dwayne Johnson is up for the role of Black Adam:

“My rule of thumb is that no actor is committed to do a movie until the first day of shooting is over with,” Birch explained. “I know that ['Shazam' Director] Pete Segal and Dwayne have a relationship that was solidified when Pete directed ‘Get Smart.’ As far as him being committed? I’m sure it’ll all depend on the script.”

Hmmmm, interesting… That’s not a “yes” but it is FAR from a “no.” Johnson and Segal DO have a working relationship and the actor has been pretty much praised by fans and the blogger elite (that’d be us) as a perfect fit for Black Adam, Captain Marvel – heck, maybe even both roles with a little makeup work! Ok, so that last claim is taking it a bit far, I’ll admit, but you get the idea: a lot of us want The Rock in this flick. It was also very sly how Burch said that Johnson’s involvement will depend on the script, considering Burch himself is currently the guy handling that particular prerequisite. Will The Rock smell what Burch and Johns are cooking? Time will tell…

Undoubtedly the biggest impediment to Shazam has been the question of script tone. Captain Marvel is, after all, a strange case in the super hero universe: geeky boy Billy Batson says a magic word (”Shazam!”) and magically becomes a superman (he actually switches places with the mystically-bound Captain Marvel, but those are geek details).

As for turning that weird premise into a popular movie: non-geeks need a reason besides quasi-Superman to see it; fanboys need the Shazam universe (and all hallmarks) kept intact to love it; it’s gotta be both a teen-themed flick and a super hero epic, and it will require some F/X wizardry and one spectacular young leading man to pull it all off. Not an easy order to fill.

So how are Burch and Johns handling the challenge? Said Burch:

“Geoff and I are in the thick of it, creating a kickass update that still honors the lore that’s been created in over 50 years of Marvel storylines…“The way the story is shaking out…It’ll probably end up with a PG-13 rating…Tonally I think it’s important to successfully find the balance of comedy and danger in the story. That’s a major aspect I’m focusing on. Frankly hitting the right tone is what’s going to either get this made or keep it in development hell.”

Amen to that. Now we at Screen Rant have debated in the past whether a Shazam movie would benefit from being more “kid friendly” (i.e., a younger Billy Batson sparking profit potential with the young crowd), or perhaps a tongue-in-cheek teenage story with proper dashes of irony (i.e., teen angst explored through a shared-body super hero metaphor). At this point, after waiting so long for this film, I say throw Shia LaBeouf in there to help carry the film and let’s get a crackin’ already! (Ok so maybe another young actor (or not) but you get the idea…)

Read MTV’s full interview with Bill Burch to learn who the writer wants (but can’t get) to play Captain Marvel.

What do you think about Burch and Johns’ vision for Shazam so far? Hitting the right notes or missing the mark?

Source: MTV

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Shazam! Is (Once Again) Gaining Momentum

Kofi Outlaw — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:19:01 +0000

Last we’d heard about the big-screen adaptation of Shazam!, the movie’s (former) writer John August was blogging that it was dead done deal. Well, that might be true for August’s involvement with the project, however the latest word places Shazam! very much in the “alive and happening” column: Warner Bros. has snagged new writers for the project and a script is reportedly in the works.

According to Variety, actor/writer Bill Burch has been tapped to hammer out the Shazam script with an assist from acclaimed comic book scribe Geoff Johns (Green Lantern) who will co-write the script and act as a consultant on the project. Johns also recently turned in a draft of The Flash for Warner Bros.

So, Shazam! is getting a much needed jump-start but the big question still remains: what kind of film should it be?

Shazam! has always been a tricky balancing act: You have Captain Marvel – who is basically Superman in red – as your hero, who happens to have an alter-ego that’s a geeky kid (Billy Batson). There’s also all kinds of stuff about Egyptian gods and magic on top of the already-fantastic superhero setup, resulting in a general premise that would make for a “quirky” film at best, or a mess of “too many worlds colliding” at worse.

Of course, during its go-stop-go marathon to the big screen, the question of how to approach a Shazam! movie has been addressed over and over. Should it go with a tongue-in-cheek story where Billy Batson is older in age, still trying to deal with sharing a body with a superhero? Or should they do a classically epic superhero fantasy about a young boy who learns that he has the power to make a difference?

Super hero buddy comedy or epic adventure?

Hard questions, right? I could see how either approach to the story could succeed – or fail – as a film. Until we know for sure what angle of attack Johns and Burch are bringing to Shazam!, feel free to remain skeptical and/or worried. For my part, I have more confidence in the project knowing that Geoff Johns is involved: that guy knows his DC super heroes.

Director Peter Segal (Get Smart) has been attached to Shazam! ever since the project was at New Line three years ago. No word yet on who Warner Bros. would want to star in the film (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s named has surfaced in the past) or when they would want the film in theaters.

We’ll let you know more when we hear something.

Source: Variety

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Shazam! It’s Dead

Jamie Williams — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:13:16 +0000

A big-screen adaptation of Shazam! has long been in development over the years. And it appeared the project was picking up steam with the news that Peter Segal (the director behind Warner Brother’s recent Summer hit Get Smart) had signed on to direct.

But according to the film’s writer John August (Charlie & the Chocolate Factory and Big Fish), Shazam! is in fact dead.

Speaking on his blog, August gave a detailed “blow by blow” report detailing the problems he faced with issues ranging from the age of Billy Batson (the lead character) to keeping the film’s villain Black Adam from being “too sympathetic.”

But August ultimately reveals the real culprit behind its demise:

“In retrospect, I can point to two summer Warner Bros. movies that I believe defined the real issue at hand: Speed Racer and The Dark Knight. The first flopped; the second triumphed. Given only those two examples, one can understand why a studio might wish for their movies to be more like the latter. But to do so ignores the success of Iron Man, which spend most of its running time as a comedic origin story, and the even more pertinent example of WB’s own Harry Potter series. I tried to make this case, to no avail.”

I can’t really say I’m surprised by any of this, to be honest.

If Shazam! was going to happen, it would have been immediately after Get Smart opened big at the box-office and wound up being a solid-sized money-maker for Warner Brothers.

That would have been the perfect opportunity for it to move forward – at least in my opinion.

Not to mention, this whole “Let’s make everything dark” argument certainly gels with what Warner Brothers #2 big-cheese Jeff Robinov said back in August.

Of course, just because something works perfectly for Batman doesn’t mean it’ll automatically work for everything else.

Nonetheless, Shazam! is now just one more comic-book property we won’t be getting from Warner Brothers.

Source: JohnAugust.com

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The Shazam Movie: A Few Answers Spark More Questions

Kofi Outlaw — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 06:21:19 +0000

If you haven’t heard, Peter Segal, director of the upcoming Shazam movie, recently let it be known that a script for the film isn’t even done being written by scribes John August and William Goldman, largely due to the WGA strike.

Now, we could all sit around complaining about why Shazam isn’t moving ahead quickly enough, but I propose a more stimulating solution: what do YOU think Shazam should be?

I mean, this isn’t Superman we’re talking about here: most of the people who will pack into theaters however many summers from now to see this flick, will STILL be thinking that they’re seeing a movie about a guy who’s just like Superman, only with red tights instead of blue, named Shazam. Fights in the audience will potentially break out because some popcorn-grubbing philistine fails to use the term “Capitan Marvel.”

However, the filmmakers are starting off on one good foot: the official title for the project is Billy Batson and the Legend of Shazam. That lengthy moniker should at least give even the dimmest bulb an idea that there’s more to this movie than it being some kind of bootleg Superman. But what should be the tone of the film? And who should it be aimed at?

The nature of the story – goofy kid gets to transform into a superhero just by saying a magic word – appeals to a wide range of boys, men, fanboys and families. And Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson playing Capitan Marvel nemesis Black Adam will bring in what few ladies are that loyal to Johnson’s career. But how to tell the tale? Action scenes gotta knock people’s socks better than the Neo/Agent Smith finale or Superman Returns did; while the kiddie scenes gotta be cutesy/funny and endearing. (And is it me, or did the Shazam! comics not always have that sort of goofy, ‘Archie Comics’-on-steroids atmosphere to them?)

Hearing that another classic comic book is getting its cinematic run is never a bad thing, but in the case of Shazam, I’m thinking it might be best to get my head around it, before the first trailer runs. So: what are your thoughts? (Long rants if you got ‘em.)

Source: Comic Book Movie

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