The much-teased Shazam! movie for the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) has officially begun production–a bit earlier than expected.
Taking to Instagram earlier today, director David F. Sandberg shared a clapperboard with the working title “Franklin” to signal the start of principal photography for the project.
We know that Zachary Levi will be taking the titular role of Shazam, while Asher Angel will fill the shoes of his younger alter ego Billy Batson. Ron Cephas Jones will be the wizard Mamaragan and Mark Strong will play the chief antagonist in the form of long-time nemesis Dr. Thaddeus Sivana.
There is still much that needs to be revealed and details are likely going to surface as the months drag on. For the time being, it is widely believed that the Shazam! movie will take on a lighter tone in comparison to past–darker and serious–releases in the DCEU such as Batman vs Superman and Justice League.
According to a report from last week, Henry Cavill will be making an appearance as Superman in the upcoming superhero project. There is no indication to how large a role the Kryptonian will be undertaking but it really seems to be a cameo at this point. Warner Bros. apparently wants to keep the iconic superhero from going stale until the sequel to Man of Steel arrives.
There are also rumors that Black Adam, played by Dwayne Johnson, will appear in the movie but these are slim at best for the time being. The anti-hero is probably going to star in his own independent movie in the future.
The Shazam! movie is set to be released in theaters on April 5, 2019. We are waiting patiently to see the superhero in his costume for the first time.
