I wrote a couple weeks ago about a Shazam movie in the works and some casting rumours, but the script itself is not even done yet. I do like where they are going with it and why.
Screenwriter John August has released a few details about his new project, adapting the Shazam character for the big screen. First thing to know is that the source material for the script is all modern era (despite the wealth of material from the past). Jerry Ordway’s “The Power of Shazam!”, Judd Winick’s “First Thunder,” and Jeff Smith’s “Shazam! The Monster Society of Evil” were all mentioned. About why he’s not grabbing from vintage sources, August writes: “what you quickly realize is that old-time comic books were awkwardly written, crudely drawn, and bewilderingly inconsistent with their rules. They were making up the art form as they went along, and today’s comic books are better for the accumulated wisdom.”
I like that they are keeping this in the modern era, and I love his reasoning why.
Just like with any classic character coming to the big screen, there is wild debate growing over whether a Wonder Woman movie would be set in classic World War 2 era despite the more modern telling of the story found in the comics today. And just like August says with his Shazam treatment, is that there is no consistancy. They didn’t make Superman in the 30s, so why would they make Shazam in the 40s? They had a reason.
The craft has grown since then and learned from its mistakes, and so why would he make a movie based on details of a precursor.
It is a fine goal indeed to adapt these iconic characters into big screen movies, but we honestly know that they will base it around the current incarnations because the movies will promote interest in the comics. Walk into any comics shop at the end of this month and tell me how much Spiderman merchandise there is on display.
A modern twist would be to make Black Adam the one who will cripple Freddy Freeman and kill his grandpa, instead of Capt Nazi, an outdated relic. Adam should associate with terrorists, make him like a “Capt Islam”.
Cool Jay.
oh yeah, Shazam spelled backwards is shit. Hope they really modernize it.
post oh so relevant
I’d like to know why did New Line reject the William GOldman script? Every insider who has read it ,like Sandy Collora, said it is the greatest superhero script ever. So why in the world would New Line scrap it? The only reason I could find was they felt it wasn’t “funny” enough. Well, if it is as great as the insiders claim, why not bring in someone like Paul Dini to add more humor to it, but why rejecit all together and go with a new script? Sound fishy to me…perhaps more of DC’s self inflicted sabatoge against Capt Marvel.
There’s a difference between mining classic material and being a slave to it. I doubt anyone really expected Shazam to be set in anything other than the present, but to disregard the Fawcett comics in favour of some of the modern interpretations is to do away with what makes Captain Marvel unique.
And for the record, the cinematic Spider-Man has more in common with the comics of the sixties than it does with anything recent.
Please don’t let there be a talking worm or tiger!!!!
I know this is off tiopic, but it’s comic book related so I thought I’d post about it here.
Check out the updated Spiderman 3 trailer at Yahoo.
It has a quick shot of Venom at about the 2:46 mark flying at the screen that wasnt in the previously released version over at Comcast. His mouth is open pretty wide and full of fangs.
Plus another quick shot of he and a maskless spidey tussleing right after it. They’re both really quick, but cool none-the-less.
And…
Shazam set in modern day…
Yeah, that’s the way to do it.
Post is relevant.
Does this mean there won’t be a pre-credits sequence set in ancient Egypt to recount Black Adam’s fall ? Shame. Also, August needs to get Alex Ross to be the creative consultant. He is the only one at DC who gets Capt Marvel right. His “Justice” and “Power Of Hope” are close to perfect portrayals of Cap. Judd Winick’s stuff, especially “Trials Of Shazam” is worthless garbage. August should not use Winick’s crap. Jeff Smith’s miniseries is a bit too childish. Jerry Ordway had some good, but not perfect stuff. The movie must be a fun adventure with humor, like “Spider-Man 2”, but August needs to know the Fawcett stuff, and respect it. That is the real Capt Marvel. DC’s version is little more than a Superman-Dr Fate hybrid. AND CAST MICKY DOLENZ AS UNCLE DUDLEY!
I’m assuming it’s going a Harry Potter type movie where they get steadly get darker, it would make sense for Billy Batson’s character as grows up the more he realizes what the real world is like.
During the movie Cap Marvel should mention Superman.
C’mon there’s always room to squeeze a line in a movie.