Back in 2003, Batman: Dead End fan film director Sandy Collora was dreaming of his perfect project: getting to adapt DC comic Shazam! “I had always hoped that someday, someone would make a Shazam! movie, now I sincerely hope with every fibre of my being, that someone will be me."
Sorry Sandy, but we have some bad news. Peter Segal, who helmed 50 First Dates, The Longest Yard and Anger Management, has been handed the job by New Line. And the plot? Shazam! follows the adventures of one Billy Batson, a happy-go-lucky American lad chosen by a wizard to become a superhero. He inherits the powers of ancient gods and heroes, the first letters of whose names add to up an acronym for his sponsor-wizard’s name. So Captain Marvel has the following: the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Aries, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles and the speed of Mercury. Ooh, it’s like Lost with its complexity.
DC published Captain Marvel comics in the 1970s, but they have their roots in the 1940s. And given how long this film has been gestating in Hollywood, you’d think it had first been pitched then. The likes of William Goldman and Basketball Diaries’ Bryan Goluboff among those who have had a crack at adapting it. So will Segal get it going properly this time? New Line will be hoping so…