“The Batman” may no longer have a director, but the DC Universe keeps pushing forward. Director David F. Sandberg is currently in talks with Warner Bros. to direct the latest film in the DCEU, “Shazam!” Sandberg made his directorial debut last year with the critically acclaimed supernatural horror film “Lights Out,” which is based on his 2013 acclaimed horror short of the same name.
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According to The Wrap, the Swedish filmmaker is currently in negotiations to direct the first installment of the series for New Line Cinema, which seems to suggest “Shazam!” won’t be part of the Warner Bros. film continuity, but who knows. The film will feature Captain Marvel aka Shazam, a DC Comics Universe character with an alter ego of a young boy who can transform into a superhero by saying the magic word – “Shazam.” So far, “Fast & Furious” star Dwayne Johnson is the only actor attached to the superhero project as Shazam’s nemesis, Black Adam. This wasn’t always the case though — originally, the action star had the choice to play either hero or villain. In an interview with “Digital Spy,” Johnson revealed that he ultimately chose to play the villain because he was “inherently more interesting.”
Johnson’s involvement with “Shazam!” is also leading to a sequel. The Rock will return for the spin-off follow-up film which will focus on his character Black Adam.
“Shazam” was once tentatively slated for a 2019 release, but surely with no script or director confirmed, that date is up in the air. Meanwhile, Sandberg’s latest film, “Annabel 2,” hits theaters on August 11th later this year.