While Warner Bros. has had trouble keeping directors on its DC projects in the past (see:Seth Grahame-SmithandRick FamuyiwaonThe Flash,Ben AffleckonThe Batman, andMichelle MacLarenonWonder Woman), it appears as though they’re zeroing in on a filmmaker for the plannedShazammovie. PerThe Wrap,Lights OutdirectorDavid F. Sandbergis in talks to take the helm ofShazam, based on the DC Comics character of the same name. The title character gets his powers via a transformation from his human form—Billy Batson—into a superpowered entity who can wield enormous strength, speed, and mental abilities.Dwayne Johnsonhas been attached to star inShazamfor years now as the character’s villainous adversary Black Adam, so with a director in line it appears the project is finally coming together.
Sandberg is a Swedish filmmaker who recently came to prominence by adapting his short filmLights Outinto a feature for New Line Cinema. The horror pic scared up $148.8 million at the box office against a budget of just $4.9 million, and New Line quickly set Sandberg to helm its horror sequelAnnabelle 2, which is currently in post-production.AquamandirectorJames Wanproduced both of those films, so one imagines he put in a good word for Sandberg with the studio when it came to filling out the DCEU roster.
Shazamis a unique DCEU film in that it’s not directly part of Warner Bros.’ slate and is instead being developed by WB’s New Line Cinema arm. Whether that meansShazammight be a more modestly budgeted superhero pic is unknown, but it’s certainly interesting. We recently learned that the studio made the decisionto splitShazaminto two movies, one titledShazamand another titledBlack Adam, focusing on Johnson’s villain. Johnson is expected to be part of both films, but with Sandberg now in line to direct, the hunt is no doubt on to fill the title role.
Shazamdoesn’t currently have an official release date, but was being eyed for a debut in 2019. We’ll surely learn more about the project soon.
