DC's Shazam! movie appears to have found its Wizard, in the form of actor Ron Cephas Jones. Even with rumors and speculation abuzz around the world of DC Films - ranging from the status of Flashpoint and the uncertain casting for The Batman - Warner Bros. Pictures and DC's Shazam! comic book adaptation is moving steadily through the final stages of pre-production. Annabelle: Creation director David F. Sandberg is overseeing the operation, with a cast that includes actors Zachary Levi and Asher Angel, along with Mark Strong as the main villain. Despite the recent shake-up within Warner Bros. and DC Films, production on Shazam! remains on track to start any day now.
Angel will portray Billy Batson, a young teenage boy who eventually gains the power to transform into the adult superhero Shazam (or Captain Marvel), played by Levi. With most of these key roles being cast, one casting announcement has been anticipated by those familiar with the hero's origin. The Wizard, also named Shazam in the comic books, is an essential character that magically grants Batson with mythical powers that transform him into the famous superhero. With the beginning of production to begin (alarmingly) soon, the role of the Wizard in Sandberg's film has been cast.
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Per The Wrap, actor Ron Cephas Jones will be taking the part. Jones is perhaps best known for his role in This is Us, playing William "Shakespeare" Hill, the biological father of Sterling K. Brown's character, Randall. For this role, Jones was nominated for the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Primetime Emmy Award. Jones has also appeared on other prestige dramas, including The Get Down and Mr. Robot.
Comic book movie/television show fans may also recognize Jones for his role as Bobby Fish from Marvel's Luke Cage, a regular at Pop's Barber Shop and one of the mentor figures of Cage. With the addition of Shazam! to his resume, the Emmy-nominated actor sure is strengthening his superhero credentials.
The presence of the Wizard supports the notion that Shazam! will be an origin story for the titular superhero, with similar films from both Marvel and DC having featured some sort of elder or mentor figure. With Jones already having some experience in this kind of role through Luke Cage, and gaining some larger recognition from the recent critical hit This is Us, the actor certainly marks off all the checkboxes for a big role in an upcoming superhero blockbuster.
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Source: The Wrap
