Bill Birch on the Shazam! Script

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Bill Birch on the Shazam! Script

November 10, 2009

CineFOOLS recently got a chance to talk to Bill Birch about co-writing the screenplay for Shazam! with Geoff Johns. Peter Segal has been attached to direct Warner Bros.' adaptation of the DC Comics series featuring Captain Marvel for three years.

Shazam! centers on teenaged Billy Batson, who transforms into the superhero when he says the word "Shazam!"

"Geoff and I are in the thick of it, creating a kickass update that still honors the lore that's been created in over 50 years of Marvel storylines," Birch told the site, adding that they are not using the previously-written scripts and starting fresh.

Birch says he remembers "being fascinated with the idea that a kid could just say 'Shazam!' and become a superhero. It's the ultimate in wish fulfillment and obviously that will be a theme in the script."

Asked whether this project will be dark and gritty, Birch said that "the way the story is shaking out, Geoff and I see this not as 'dark' as 'Dark Knight' but definitely as cool. It'll probably end up with a PG-13 rating."

He said that the most important thing to get right is the tone. "Tonally I think it's important to successfully find the balance of comedy and danger in the story. That's a major aspect I'm focusing on. Frankly hitting the right tone is what's going to either get this made or keep it in development hell."

You can read more of Birch talking about the cast here.

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Posted by: Jamesb3 on November 10, 2009 at 11:32:35

Absolutely I care about. It is one that I am anticipating most of all!

Posted by: RICH-E-RICH on November 10, 2009 at 11:34:11

@The Dang Man

I agree, not sure what to feel about Shazam...especially since Shazam always seemed cheesey, with cheese on top. I still think of the 70's TV version which was funny as hell.

Posted by: Deadpool on November 10, 2009 at 11:43:53

go SHAZAM!!! they can make a killer movie! its times like these when i'm proud to be in love with comics!!!

Posted by: felixcat on November 10, 2009 at 11:57:03

Isn't Shazam a DC character...why is he going through Marvel lore?

Posted by: Matthew Harper on November 10, 2009 at 12:05:32

He's going through Captain Marvel lore, felixcat.

Posted by: Macroni Tony on November 10, 2009 at 12:08:16

Just get the Rock for Black Adam and I'm sold.

Plus don;t make it "too dark". Shazam is supposed to be a little lighthearted.

Posted by: Andre on November 10, 2009 at 12:08:53

SHAZAM WILL BE GREAT ESPECIALLY WITH GEOFF JOHNS WRITING IT!!

Posted by: billy batson on November 10, 2009 at 12:21:40

yeah i dont think alot of people care about this character. personaly captain marvel and swamp thing are my two favorite characters in the DCU. but nobody gives him his due mostly because he wasn't always a dc character. hes always been the '' step child'' of the DCU in my opinion.

Posted by: EGOLESS on November 10, 2009 at 12:28:05

ryan reynolds as capt marvel? roflmao that's about as bad of casting as it gets....... that comment alone has me worried about the future of the movie. says how much this guy truly knows about the source material. thatnk god for geoff johns being on board to co-write who turns everything to gold. thats prolly why he said he hates johns alil bit. because he says stuff like "gee wouldnt ryan reynolds be a good capt marvel?" and johns replies with a big "um....thats horribly retarded casting"

Posted by: dtrain on November 10, 2009 at 12:30:24

The Rock should be Shazam!!!

Posted by: dtrain on November 10, 2009 at 12:32:37

It should be a comedy too... Don't write the script to compete with TDK... I think that's the only way it's going to work.

Posted by: Captain Sensible on November 10, 2009 at 12:37:52

If they purposely go for a PG-13 then they've already botched the tone. Cap is a hero for everyone. This should be "Big" meets the first "Superman." Something that can be utterly cool, whimsical, exciting, adventurous, with a touch of comedy and suitable for the whole family. Stick to the essence of this classic comic book character and you could end up with an all-time classic comic book-based movie, IMHO.

Posted by: dtrain on November 10, 2009 at 12:41:11

I'm picking up what you're laying down brother!

Posted by: EGOLESS on November 10, 2009 at 12:43:04

personal opinion. Patrick Warburton as capt. marvel and the rock as black adam. Ian McKellen as the wizard shazam. not sure who for billy batson though.

Posted by: kri-el on November 10, 2009 at 12:54:28

SHAZAM!!!

Posted by: The Dang Man on November 10, 2009 at 12:59:04

hey what's the deal with my comment being deleted? i did'nt say anything inappropriate

Posted by: D-MAN on November 10, 2009 at 13:00:42

Sounds weak to me.

Posted by: mojojackson on November 10, 2009 at 13:27:32

felixcat and dtrain:

The character's name is Captain Marvel (though he's a DC character). 'Shazam' is the magic word that transforms him. Casting someone as 'Shazam' would be like making a movie about a magician and casting someone as 'abra cadabra'.

Posted by: ZZ Poppa on November 10, 2009 at 13:36:01

uh ...

. . . m'eh

(yawn)

Posted by: Devilman on November 10, 2009 at 13:36:32

Patrick Warburton is Captain Marvel.

Posted by: obvious on November 10, 2009 at 13:37:48

I think this character has more movie potential than the majority of comic book films that have already been made. I'll have more faith in the direction they're going once the cast has been confirmed.

Posted by: EGOLESS on November 10, 2009 at 13:37:57

THANK YOU DEVILMAN!! good to know im not alone here!

Posted by: jerry curl E.Q. on November 10, 2009 at 13:41:58

I like that kid that plays "Manny" on Modern Family on ABC . . . he should play Billy Batson.

He's a hoot.

Plus, he gets to spend all day with Sofia Vegara hugging him over and over . . . so he would totally "get" the ultimate wish fulfillment thing.

Posted by: jerry curl E.Q. on November 10, 2009 at 13:44:52

Michael Lohan as Black Adam.

Just look at the guy!

Widow's peaks AND he's evil to boot!

Posted by: EGOLESS on November 10, 2009 at 13:47:54

the kids alil pudgy for billy imo but that michael lohan guy does look alot like black adam ill give you that

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