Shazam! is set to open on April 5th, 2019 in the United States. The movie, based on a DC comic, is about a middle-school aged boy (played by Asher Angel) who is granted the powers of some of the most awesome heroes of antiquity. Upon saying the word “Shazam,” he is granted Solomon’s wisdom, Hercules’ strength, Atlas’ stamina, Zeus’ power, Achilles’ courage, and Mercury’s speed. While in his activated hero state, he is also transformed into a fully grown man’s body (played by Zachary Levi), although he retains his teenage mind.
Doctor Thaddeus Sivana (played by Mark Strong) takes on the antagonist role, a super-genius, bitter and twisted individual who selfishly squanders his many talents on bettering only himself.
Director
The movie is directed by David Sandberg, a man known mostly for working on horror stories. His most recent production was Annabelle: Creation, a chilling continuation of a story about a doll that is possessed by the devil.
Sandberg only has one other full-length, traditional movie has under his belt; Lights Out, about a boy that is being haunted by his demonic mother’s spirit. He has directed a number of short films in the same genre, such as Attic Panic, a suspenseful, 3-minute beauty starring his wife, that is full of malfunctioning lights, possessed bedsheets, and (obviously) panic. Closet Space is another of his 3-minute gems, about a woman (again played by his wife) who finds something creepy and odd happening in a closet in their new home, and accidentally kills, or otherwise removes her husband (played by David, himself) from their realm of existence.
Odd Choice?
At first glance, David might seem to be an odd choice for the director of Shazam! Especially since Shazam is meant to be a bit lighter-hearted and buoyant than some of the other DCEU movies. But watching his shorts, it is clear he has a flair for the dramatic, as well as an eye for visuals that draw the audience in. He may be a relative newcomer to the directing field, especially the superhero field, but he seems to be a perfect choice for DC. His shorts show that he is a master at turning nightmares into reality, I can’t wait to see his take on a regular old Superhero dream. I’m sure his favorite costar (and wife) will be incredibly proud as well.
