The DC Shazam! movie has added Faithe Herman as another one of Billy Batson's young friends. With Shazam! set to begin filming early next year under director David F. Sandberg's supervision, there have plenty of casting updates for the film over the past month. Zachary Levi is starring as Shazam!, while Asher Angel is playing Billy Batson (the boy who turns into the eponymous, magically-powered title hero). However, in addition to the dual leads, it looks like Shazam! will feature an extensive ensemble.
It's also been reported that Mark Strong will play the villain in Shazam!, with the safe bet being that he will portray Doctor Sivana. Though Dwayne Johnson as Black Adam was once meant to serve as the film's antagonist, his character will now get his own solo movie and won't play a role in the Shazam! solo film. Meanwhile, IT's Jack Grazer has been cast as Freddy Freeman, and it now looks as though another one of Billy's friends will be appearing in the DC Comics adaptation.
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Comic Book is reporting that Faithe Herman (This Is Us) has been cast in an unspecified role in Shazam! It stands to reason that she has been cast to play Darla Dudley, who was introduced alongside the rest of Billy's foster siblings in the New 52 reboot of the Shazam! comic books.
There's a chance Herman isn't playing Darla, but it would fit with other casting reports for the film. Shazam! has already cast two of Billy Batson's friends (Pedro and Eugene), who join Freddy as part of the New 52 family of which Billy becomes a part. The two remaining members are Darla and Mary, and Herman certainly matches the younger age of the former character.
As for Mary, a character who dates back to the Captain Marvel days alongside Freddy, she may have been cast as well. When Grace Fulton joined Shazam!, many assumed that she would be playing Mary as her character is said to be one of Billy's friends. At 21, however, she's drastically older than the other four actors who have been cast. Given that, she could end up playing the adult version of Mary, once she gains powers of her own.
In the New 52 run of Shazam!, Billy grants his foster siblings powers like his to help fight Black Adam. Mary also operated as Mary Marvel for decades in the comics. There's no telling if all of the kids will gain abilities in the film version, but the odds seem in favor of that happening (eventually, anyway). With production starting soon and casting winding down, it may not be long before we learn even more about Shazam!'s actual plot.
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Source: Comic Book
