John August to write Shazam! Movie featuring Captain Marvel

Posted on Thursday, March 8th, 2007 by Peter Sciretta

Go screenwriter John August has been hired to adapt the DC comic book Shazam! for New Line Cinema. Peter Segal (50 First Dates) is attached to direct.

shazam Created in 1939 by artist C.C. Beck and writer Bill Parker, Shazam! features Captain Marvel, the alter ego of Billy Batson, a youth who works as a radio news reporter and was chosen to be a champion of good by the wizard Shazam. Whenever Billy speaks the wizard’s name, he is instantly struck by a magic lightning bolt that transforms him into an adult superhero empowered with the abilities of six legendary figures. Several friends and family members, most notably Marvel Family cohorts Mary Marvel and Captain Marvel, Jr., can share Billy’s power and become “Marvels” themselves.

Captain Marvel was the most popular superhero of the 1940s. It even sold more copies than Superman in those years. Captain Marvel was also the first superhero to be adapted to film in 1941 (The Adventures of Captain Marvel).

Fawcett ceased publishing Captain Marvel-related comics in 1953 due to a copyright infringement suit from DC Comics alleging that Captain Marvel was an illegal infringement of Superman. DC licensed the Marvel Family characters and returned them to publication in 1972, but Marvel Comics had already trademarked their Captain Marvel comic book during the interim. DC Comics is now unable to promote and market their Captain Marvel/Marvel Family properties under that name. Hence the title Shazam!

The project has been around forever. At some point both William Goldman (The Princess Bride) and Bryan Goluboff (The Basketball Diaries) penned drafts.

John August is the best underused screenwriter working today. His feature directorial debut The Nines made it’s debut at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. It ranked as one of our favorite films of the festival.

“It’s a unique opportunity to do a comic book movie where the character in it actually read comic books,” said August. “What’s terrific about the character is that he looks like this superstudly superhero but is really a 13-year-old boy. And to approach everything that is great about a superhero movie from a 13-year-old boy’s perspective was a unique way in.”

“I think we’re going to be able to be really faithful to the mythology and yet make it completely transparent for people who have no idea who the character is,” August said.

August sat down with DC Comics writer Geoff Johns to “idiot check” the ideas.

I’ve never really been a fan of Captain Marvel, because he always seemed like a weaker version of Superman (I’m sure fanboys will tell me different). But as I’ve said before, August is an incredible talent, and I believe that he will craft the best Shazam! script possible. But is the best case scenario good enough?

Comments

DC

Captain Marvel isn't weaker than Superman at all. He was the first to fly, have a family with powers, a bald villan. Superman stole more from Captain Marvel than the other way around.

ACLTony

Would really like to see a Captain Marvel movie. I enjoyed the Jackson Bostwick version of 1974. Hopefully the movie won't be "campy" but along the quality lines of the "Batman Begins" movie. Scenarios that should be dealt with would be Billy's struggle with leading a double life and coping with having extraordinary abilities and fighting the temptations to use them for selfish purposes. The actor to play "Cap" should be an "unknown" with some experience....not one of the usual Hollywood "hypes" like Brad Pitt; though someone with a creative "Val Kilmer" type of personality may play the character well. Jackson Bostwick, John Davey, and Michael Gray should make "cameo appearances" in the film. (Stan Lee does it in the Marvel Films)

Sandy Scott

I'd really enjoy a Captain Marvel movie as I'm an actor myself and have written a couple Captain Marvel scripts myself and filmed them just for fun. I've been waiting for someone to do this project and would greatly appreciate any role I could get in it. Like others, I hope it doesn't turn out to be a campy movie like the Saturday morning tv series in the 70's. Can't wait to see it on the big screen. Should prove to be very interesting. I'd also like to see how Billy Batson fist gets his powers.

Doron Markowitz

2 words: Patrick Warburton!! 'nuff said!

John

I can date back to when Fawcett published the old Whiz Comics and Captain Marvel comic. As a senior citizen I enjoy making my grandkids Capt. Marvel fans. I mean Billy Batson as Capt. Marvel not Freddy Freeman. DC should keep the status as it alwaya has been.

DEBRA EDWARDS

in my true honest opinion well make a movie of shazam i mean the original was and always will be the best in my heart also the two guys who played captain marvel too so, they both did super in the parts they played that is for sure and certain too.debra

DEBRA EDWARDS

why make a movie of shazam the original was and always will be the best also both guys who played captain marvel too.debra

ACLtony

I read a lot of Shazam comics back in the 70s. A lot of the stories were actually "campy" until the mid 80s when the story plots became more serious and dramatic. The Saturday morning show from FILMATION was not campy as much as it was geared for the really young kids. IMHO, the first season had the best episodes. FILMATION watered it down far too much! Jackson Bostwick actually wanted to see realistic plots and have more of an active role, but of course the studio heads were not very flexible. I do hope this new movie will do Captain Marvel justice, however, I hope it doesn't become bloated with the modern political correctness chains and anti-patriotic hints that we saw in the "Superman Returns" movie.

Pete Perez-Donnelly

I agree"Superman REturns"was very UNpatriotic,but "Smallville"always shows
the U.S.Flag,just like in"Spiderman"Movies.Thus,"Smallville"is very Patriotic,
probably,one of its producers is an Ex-Marine,like me.

DEBRA EDWARDS

i still say why do a movie of shazam i mean let's face it noone can take the place of the two guys who can played captain marvel so i say leave well enough alone.debra

ACLtony

But why not? We have an entire generation that's not very familiar with Captain Marvel. Kirk Allen and George Reeves were both excellent as Superman, but Chris Reeve came along and did an outstanding job. With the special effects of today's technology, the new one should be really enjoyable.....as long as the writers and directors keep CM straight and true

DEBRA EDWARDS

i just feel like the original is the best and should leave well enough alone i mean okay why not put the original back on regular tv on cbs and then the kids of today and so on can relate to both captain marvels jackson bostwick and john davey. okay whatever your favorite food is would you want it changed or have it the way you want it? you wouldn't want anything in it that wasn't good would you so see this is what i'm saying why do a movie of the original when you have the best and that's the original itself. captain marvel can be still alive in the original and that is the truth of how i feel.debra

Sean W

I seem to remember that Billy Batson walked with crutches and possibly leg braces. Does anyone else recall this? it would be a more interesting angle, having a handicapped kid who could turn into a superhero. Looking forward to it anyway, though.

Doron Markowitz

Hey Sean W., I think you are a little confused. Billy Batson never walked with crutches. That was Freddy Freeman, aka Captain Marvel Jr., which would be cool to see as well.

Sean W

Yes, of course! Thanks Doron! After posting this I went spent an hour refreshing my memory, including the first girl on T.V who made me stand on my head to see up her skirt(I was 8 ), The Mighty Isis!

ACLTony

Glad that you brought that up Sean. I wondered back then why Filmation didn't do Mary Marvel instead of coming up with Isis. I think JoAnna Cameron could have played Mary well.

Troy

I loved the Shazm TV series as a kid. Can't wait to see the movie.

Calvin Smith Sr

I too loved when Jackson Bostwick was CaptainMarvel.As a kid growing up in a home with an Alcoholic Father who would abuse my Mother,i related being Billy Batson.Because i was twelve at the time and wanted so badly to shout SHAZAM and become CaptainMarvel to put the fear in my now decesaed Father.Over the years Ive sorta become a Shazam/Captain Marvel expert.Take your time in doing this movie.Shazam should not be rushed,and it shouldn't well look cheesy.Hint Like Governor Arnold playing Mr.Freeze when Patrick Steward(Xavier)should have played him.Im a writer and i'd like to do something with Mary Freddie and The Lieutanant Marvels.Who do i talk to about it?Picture Lana Laneform Smallville as Mary Marvel.

Calvin Smith Sr

One more comment,when will they release the series on DVD so i can add it to my collection.CaptainMarvel is my childhood Role Model and will always be My number one Hero.It just makes me angry when i see them making him look all goofy.Thats just disrespectful.My hat off to Alex Ross he gave CaptainMarvel his props.Ive read somewhere that Cap has some powers equal to that of SuperMan the x-ray eyes ect.He has the powers of some of the most Powerful Greek Gods ever.Hercules,Zeus King of the gods.Atlas who mythology says holds the world on his back.Achilles,Mercury...need i say more.Cap is a force to be reckoned with,just stop holding him back and let him unleash the power of the gods.

ACLTony

In one of the comic editions, Captain Marvel did have X-ray vision, but then was never shown to again. Likely due to the extreme similarity to Superman. I've always like these heroes and baffles me when fans dispute "who's better" or "who's stronger". Answer should be "WHO CARES!, they're both good heroes with unique personalities but still convey positive values. That's why I liked Jackson Bostwick's Captain Marvel portrayal as well as George Reeve's portrayal of Superman. The Saturday morning series wasn't campy (like Adam West's "Batman") so much as it was "extremely watered down" for the grade school kids. Plus the budget for special effects was a pitiful joke. Typical Filmation. The 1981 "Marvel Family" cartoon had so much potential, but Filmation made it worse. Was entertaining, but overall disappointing. Even Mr. Tawny, who looked menacing in the comics, looked more like a stuffed doll.

ACLTony

In my humble opinion, the modern version should be somewhat realistic (no Mr. Tawny), but not dark like the modern Batman series. Billy and Cap's personalities should be explored a bit in addition to the smashing, pulverizing special effects. Just as in the comics, Billy should be between 13 and 16, work a part time job for the media, be an orphan struggling through to manhood, and have a strong moral character inpite of the frequent temptations of today's sick, morally decaying world. Would even be neat to have a 20-something year old woman develop a friendship and fall for Captain Marvel, and then we see Cap struggling with the decision to pursue a relationship or tell (and reveal to her) that he's actually a teen. This would be one of the hard tests of his character.

jerry keller

i have been a fan of capt. marvel since i was a kid. there was a capt. marvel serial in 1941 which i have and with all the efford being put on superman, batman, iron man, the hulk almost every comic book hero coming to the movies, even underdog as his place on the big screen i am happy to finally see capt. marvel get his on the big screen. jerry

jerry keller

someone on this site something about the green archer shooting capt.marvel in the head like paris shot achilles in the head would c.m. be killed well i donot think so because it would the end of the story, besides paris didn't shot achilles in the head, he shot him the heel when he was born his mother dedicated him to the gods. when she put him on the water she held him by his heel, therefore he was supposed to be invinsible, his heel was not summerged in the water that was his weak spot. jerry

jerry keller

i am sorry, i didn"t understand. jerry

ACLTony

Any word yet as to who will play Capt. Marvel? The Rock supposedly is slated to play black Adam. I've had a wild thought. The perfect actor to play Dr. Sivana ( if he is to be in the movie) would be Armin Shimmerman. He played the scheming, manipulative, but likable character of "Quark" in Star Trek Deep Space 9.

ryrob73

I would love too see Dave Batista play Captain Marvel, and Duane"The Rock" Johnson as Black Adam.

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