Zachary Levi is set to swap the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the DC Extended Universe, with Variety reporting that Thor: The Dark World and Thor: Ragnarok star has secured the title role in the upcoming Shazam movie.
Levi will play the adult alter-ego of young boy Billy Batson, who is able to transform into the titular superhero by uttering the magic word “Shazam!”. Levi has nabbed the role ahead of competition from the likes of John Cena, Zane Holtz, Billy Magnussen, and Jake McDorman.
Dwayne Johnson had originally been cast as the antagonist Black Adam, only for DC to alter its plans and give Johnson his own solo movie, with the plan the being to have Shazam! and Black Adam face off in a subsequent film.
David F. Sandberg (Annabelle: Creation) will direct Shazam from a screenplay by Henry Gayden and Darren Lemke. Production is slated to get underway in February ahead of the film’s 2019 release date.
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