Shazam! (film)

Zachary Levi by Gage Skidmore 4

Zachary Levi, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer & David F. Sandberg by Gage Skidmore

Shazam! is a 2019 American superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name. Produced by New Line Cinema, DC Films, The Safran Company, and Mad Ghost Productions, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, it is the seventh installment in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). Directed by David F. Sandberg from a screenplay by Henry Gayden, the film stars Asher Angel as Billy Batson, a teenage boy who can transform into an adult superhero, played by Zachary Levi, by uttering the magic word "Shazam". Mark Strong stars as the villain Dr. Thaddeus Sivana, with Jack Dylan Grazer, Djimon Hounsou, Faithe Herman, Grace Fulton, Ian Chen, and Jovan Armand in supporting roles. The film follows Batson, who is chosen by the ancient wizard Shazam (Hounsou) to be his new champion and receives various superpowers. Upon uttering the word "Shazam", Billy transforms into an adult superhero and must learn the extent of his powers to stop the evil Dr. Sivana.

Plot

After being abandoned by his mother, 14-year-old Billy Batson is searching for her while moving from one foster home to another. His quest leads him to a wizard named Shazam, who has been seeking a successor to inherit his powers. He chooses Billy, who becomes the adult superhero Shazam when he says the wizard's name. Meanwhile, Dr. Thaddeus Sivana, who was rejected by the wizard as a boy but became obsessed with returning to the wizard's realm, gains the powers of the Seven Deadly Sins and seeks to steal Shazam's powers. Billy, now as Shazam, must master his abilities to save his foster family and stop Sivana.

Cast

• Asher Angel as Billy Batson, a foster child who becomes the champion of the ancient wizard Shazam.
• Zachary Levi as Shazam, the superhero alter ego of Billy Batson.
• Mark Strong as Dr. Thaddeus Sivana, a scientist turned villain after being rejected by the wizard Shazam as a child.
• Jack Dylan Grazer as Frederick "Freddy" Freeman, Billy's foster brother and best friend who is a superhero enthusiast.
• Djimon Hounsou as Shazam, the ancient wizard who gives Billy his powers.
• Faithe Herman, Grace Fulton, Ian Chen, and Jovan Armand as Billy's foster siblings.

Production

Pre-production for Shazam! began in 2008 but faced several delays and changes in directors and writers. The project moved forward in 2017 when David F. Sandberg was hired as director. Filming took place in Toronto, Canada, from January to May 2018. The film's visual effects were provided by several companies, including Digital Domain and Moving Picture Company (MPC).

Release

Shazam! premiered in Toronto on March 15, 2019, and was released in the United States on April 5, 2019. It received positive reviews from critics, who praised its light tone and the performances of Levi and Grazer. The film was also a commercial success, grossing over $366 million worldwide against a budget of about $80–100 million.

Reception

Critics lauded Shazam! for its departure from the darker tones of previous DCEU films, highlighting its humor, heart, and the performances of the cast, particularly Zachary Levi and Jack Dylan Grazer. The film holds an approval rating on review aggregator websites, with many reviewers calling it one of the best DCEU entries.

Sequel

Following the success of Shazam!, a sequel titled Shazam! Fury of the Gods was announced, with Sandberg returning to direct and Gayden to write. The sequel is set to explore the further adventures of Billy Batson and his foster family as they face new challenges and villains.