'Shazam!' (Pre-Release Hype) [Archive]

Mikegraham6

03-09-2007, 08:40 PM

admittly i dont read shazam. all i've ever seen of him is when he guest stars in other books. but i am reading jeff smiths shazam and i think that it would probably be the best decision to follow his formula. he''s got the character down, and he doesn't come off cheesy (which is really really hard to do with shazam)
but i think they would probably make this flick a kid movie, that seems to be the logical step for hollywood

fred

03-09-2007, 08:40 PM

ConorKilpatrick

03-09-2007, 08:43 PM

I was interested in it from the standpoint of whether or not Shazam can support a movie. Does he even have enough fans? Is he distinct enough from Superman to draw mainstream viewers? I say no to both.

Ghost Rider doesn't have enough comic fans to support a regular book, but that horrible movie made a ton of money. I think that folks just want big, loud comic book movies right now, for whatever reason.

jerome

03-09-2007, 08:43 PM

I'd say his fan following is proportional to Ghost Rider's. Do I think it'll make Ghost Rider money? No, but that's because Ghost Rider is so awesome.:rolleyes:

still, Shazam is children's movie= good idea

fred

03-09-2007, 08:46 PM

ConorKilpatrick

03-09-2007, 08:48 PM

I think a smart, well done, all-ages Captain Marvel movie would clean up at the box office. Imagine if Pixar did it? They would print money.

fred

03-09-2007, 08:48 PM

I would love it if Pixar did it. Then again, I've never seen a Pixar movie that I didn't love.

EDIT: It would annoy me to buy my son Shazam toys though. I like the Jeff Smith book, but I really don't care for Shazam in general.

ConorKilpatrick

03-09-2007, 08:50 PM

fred

03-09-2007, 08:53 PM

I didn't see Cars. I am scared to.

I know I'll lose some 'big-people cred' here by saying this but you totally should. It kicked ass. I've seen it like 75 times because the kids love it too and it doesn't even get old(comparitively). My son has a Cars themed bedroom. I regularly trip over Cars toys and still I think it's great.

JAFlanagan

03-09-2007, 09:06 PM

Cars wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. Not Pixar great. If it had been anyone else, you'd say it was pretty good.

It did make me not hate Larry the Cable Guy for a short period, and that counts for something.

iSteve

03-09-2007, 09:43 PM

For those of you who may not remember, there was a Shazam tv show on Saturday mornings back in the mid-1970s. Ibis also had her own show. Not one of comics finest moments.

http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/4/43/200px-Bostwick-shazam-captmarv.jpg

http://www.geekdroppings.com/blog/images/shazam.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/52/Isis2.jpg

Jo-RelRollins

03-09-2007, 11:30 PM

Its funny this is annouced today,because last night i was watching the first SpiderMan and when he was trying to get his webs to come out, Tobey up and yelled "Shazam". I started to laugh, then i thought "Shazam"= DC. "Spider Man" = Marvel, was this allowed. Which made it even funnier.

DrWally

03-10-2007, 04:17 PM

For those of you who may not remember, there was a Shazam tv show on Saturday mornings back in the mid-1970s. Ibis also had her own show. Not one of comics finest moments.

iSteve -- That's not "Ibis" that's Isis -"Ibis" was a male character, basically a Sargon character from the Golden Age who was a knock off of Ibis, or maybe the other way around. Always remember, just when you think you're over the hill, you'll have me and the Old Wizard Shazam to remind you otherwise, you young kid you.

ISIS immortal line:
- "Oh zypher winds which blow on high, lift me know so I may fly." The Shazam show was pretty bad, especially since they tossed out so much of the character to do that really bad "update" thing. But at least Isis had a bit of a Lynda Carter/Wonder woman vibe going... and no where near as drecky as Electrawoman and Dynagirl, though they had their moments.

I think if they have any sense in Hollywood (always doubtful) they will follow the genius of what Jeff Smith has so far laid down in Shazam #1 and #2. If they do, it will be a major hit and an enduring classic -- something along the lines of the original Willy Wonka movie from the early 70s (and Roald Dahl wrote that, people forget, looking at you Tim Burton), which will be an all ages crossover hit of a gigantic degree--all ages, comics and non comics fans, charm and magic and audience enchantment. WOW that book is good. SHAZAM -- and it would be easy as heck to adapt to a movie. AND Beck is totally now rocking with his new versions of C.C. Beck's Sivana and Mr. Tawny, this is just comic book magic waiting to be turned into screen magic.

iSteve

03-10-2007, 05:57 PM

Thanks for the correction, DrWally. I meant to type Isis, and Ibis came out instead.

AlexG

03-10-2007, 06:14 PM

Ghost Rider doesn't have enough comic fans to support a regular book, but that horrible movie made a ton of money. I think that folks just want big, loud comic book movies right now, for whatever reason.

I've always thought that people will pretty much go see whatever movie is playing. That's not a knock against the viewing public, but just a fact of life that movie-going is part of our culture, and we'll watch em if they are good or bad. I'm not sure that the public is clamoring for comic movies (I'm not knocking comic movies btw), but I think hollywood producers are clamoring for material that has some sort of built in fan base that they can count on to show up on opening weekend. They know comic fans will see it whether it is good or bad.

Shazam tho...they should bring back the old tv show...I still have vague memories of watching that show when I was little and bugging out on the tripped out lighting effects when he and Isis would change.

If someone wants to make a movie though, they should take Jonah Hex AS IS and simply animate it. Keep the script as is, keep the art style, and just animate it. That would be America's solid answer to Anime.

Mikegraham6

03-10-2007, 08:02 PM

I've always thought that people will pretty much go see whatever movie is playing. That's not a knock against the viewing public, but just a fact of life that movie-going is part of our culture, and we'll watch em if they are good or bad. I'm not sure that the public is clamoring for comic movies (I'm not knocking comic movies btw), but I think hollywood producers are clamoring for material that has some sort of built in fan base that they can count on to show up on opening weekend. They know comic fans will see it whether it is good or bad.

I agree with, people will go see crap as long as its new crap. the test is whether they will go see the movie more than once. i dont do it very often, but i will see movies i really enjoyed again with different friends. i doubt there are very many people out there willing to shell out 10 bucks to see ghost rider more than once. http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t268/mikegraham6/emot-barf.gif that one's for fred

fred

03-11-2007, 01:44 AM

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t268/mikegraham6/emot-barf.gif that one's for fred

nice. glad to share that will you all

JGG0610

03-11-2007, 01:57 PM

I want it to be the Trials of Shazam version simply to see the on-line meltdown.
I haven't been reading Trials of Shazam consequently haven't paid attention to anything about it online. What's been happening?

iSteve

03-11-2007, 02:16 PM

I haven't been reading Trials of Shazam consequently haven't paid attention to anything about it online. What's been happening?

Captain Marvel has taken the place of the Wizard Shazam in the Rock of Eternity. Freddy Freeman, Captain Marvel Jr., is going through a series of trials to prove himself worthy of his powers and to become the new Captain Marvel.

From Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Marvel%2C_Jr.) (summary): Contacting a magician for guidance, Freddy passes the trial of wisdom set by the aspect of Solomon. When Freddy says "Shazam," he is struck by lightning and given enhanced strength. His Marvel form remains indistinguishable from his regular one, save he has full use of his legs. Achilles surfaces as a U.S. Marines Lieutenant in Qurac, asking Freddy to prove himself fighting with him an "Hate Empath," a beast able to feed on emotion. Sabina, a young magician girl linked to the "Council of Merlin," sets free the beast as she seeks Shazam's powers for herself and the Council. Sabina manages to kill Achilles' current mortal shell, leaving Freddy to deal alone with the empath. He succeeds and is awarded with Captain Marvel's near-invulnerability and his red and yellow outfit, tangible proof of courage.

DrWally

03-12-2007, 05:13 PM

Captain Marvel has taken the place of the Wizard Shazam in the Rock of Eternity. Freddy Freeman, Captain Marvel Jr., is going through a series of trials to prove himself worthy of his powers and to become the new Captain Marvel.

From Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Marvel%2C_Jr.) (summary): Contacting a magician for guidance, Freddy passes the trial of wisdom set by the aspect of Solomon. When Freddy says "Shazam," he is struck by lightning and given enhanced strength. His Marvel form remains indistinguishable from his regular one, save he has full use of his legs. Achilles surfaces as a U.S. Marines Lieutenant in Qurac, asking Freddy to prove himself fighting with him an "Hate Empath," a beast able to feed on emotion. Sabina, a young magician girl linked to the "Council of Merlin," sets free the beast as she seeks Shazam's powers for herself and the Council. Sabina manages to kill Achilles' current mortal shell, leaving Freddy to deal alone with the empath. He succeeds and is awarded with Captain Marvel's near-invulnerability and his red and yellow outfit, tangible proof of courage.

Two words: "Jeff Smith"

DrWally

03-12-2007, 05:24 PM

I agree with, people will go see crap as long as its new crap. the test is whether they will go see the movie more than once. i dont do it very often, but i will see movies i really enjoyed again with different friends. i doubt there are very many people out there willing to shell out 10 bucks to see ghost rider more than once. http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t268/mikegraham6/emot-barf.gif that one's for fred

Actually, the point about people willing to see a movie more than once is very accurate -- I recently saw a marketing survey that showed that more than half a movie's profit's come from DVD rental and sales, and lately big Hollywood movies, even the good ones, do very poorly in that regard. King Kong is a good example--it had pretty good gross at the box office, but it's DVD rental and sales income was only 1/3 if even that, compared to much smaller movies which doubled their total income after going to DVD.

Add in this: fully 50% of a movie's success is determined by its international sales, something the big Hollywood studio marketing people already consider and openly dicuss. How many French, Italian, and Japanese and people of other countries go see Ghost Rider and rent the DVD represents no less than 50% of how the movie's total profit will be measured.

Ekval

03-12-2007, 05:31 PM

DrWally

03-12-2007, 05:40 PM

I would honestly like to see another superhero movie aimed towards kids, and if this was done Pixar style I'd totally go along. Not sure they can pull it off kid-friendly live action, but then again, they pull off a lot more than I give them credit for of late.

Two Words: "Jeff Smith"

Could totally be done live action. If they can make Garfield talk, Talky Tawny Tiger and mean aligators dressed in gangster thug clothes should not be too difficult. But look at the script for Garfield -- there's your problem.

Ekval

03-12-2007, 05:56 PM

Yeah...it can be done...I just get nervous about a lot of this stuff. But as I said, I've been proven wrong quite often of late. We can hope...

iSteve

03-14-2007, 02:12 AM

DrWally

03-14-2007, 07:41 AM

The last time Captain Marvel was on the big screen (in the 1940s):

http://www.briansdriveintheater.com/superhero/tomtyler/tomtyler1.jpg

http://www.briansdriveintheater.com/superhero/tomtyler/tomtyler4.jpg

Own it. Saw it. I bought the VHS about a year ago. The DVD version is now sitting about 3 inches from my monitor, as well as Tyler's appearance in "The Phantom." (Both now available on DVD). "The Adventures of Captain Marvel" gets lots of attention, and everybody loves to say how it was the best of all the movie serials, but even though I am a big Captain Marvel fan, I have to say Warren Hull in "The Green Hornet Strikes Again" (not the first with a different guy) is more exciting, faster paced, and has much better writing, as they had the radio show to draw on. In Captain Marvel the cliffhangers are just "oh no, Billy's friends found another excuse to be in trouble, will he be able to say 'Shazam' in time?" The villian unmasking reveal at the end is dissapointiing, I believe they changed it towards the end of filming because they thought who it really was would just "shock" too many people as he seemed like such a good guy in the whole serial. So the ending is wimpy.

But Tom Tyler fills out the uniform mighty well. Mighty SHAZAM well. I also like The Phantom too with Tyler again in the lead role. Poor guy -- ended up playing "The Mummy" for his troubles. Here is some triva-- did you know the guy who played Captain America in the movie serial in the 40s died soon after due to injuries sustained during filming? The stunt fights in those old serials were pretty rough and tumble.

So, iSteve, did you just discover briansdriveintheater.com? I LOVE that site. I bookmarked it, but that was so many years ago I have no idea where the bookmark is...

By the way, I was just over at the Rock of Eternity to help the Old Wizard Shazam fix his broadband connection (again), and we agree: you kids are adorable, and charming in your youth. Very good electricity.

iSteve

03-14-2007, 01:28 PM

DrWally

03-14-2007, 01:57 PM

DrWally, I did just stumble across briansdriveintheater.com. Very nice site for old movie nostalgia.

I assume you have also seen the Superman serials from the 40s with Kirk Aylen as the big guy. Turner Classic Movies showed them back in November and December. Wish they would show the Captain Marvel serials too. I'd love to see the old Batman serials also.

I've seen lots of old pictures from the Superman serial (oops), but never seen it. If you see pictures of what they did to Batman's ears, you may not want to see that either. And the bad guy in one of the two Batman serials is a white guy playing the "Japanese fiend" Dr. Daka, wearing a cowboy bow tie(?). The problem with these is that comics were just too new a medium to serials, which was actually a somewhat mature medium and came out of pulp fiction or radio. That's whay (I think) The Green Hornet Strikes Again is fantastic, as the Hornet was one of the best pulp and radio heros, created by the same guy who created the Lone Ranger. He was perfect for Universal studios, that had everything they needed right there on the lot.

Before even wasting my time on the Superman movie serial, I would see King of the Rocketmen (that's where the Rocketeer movie comes from) or the original Max Fleischer Superman cartoons produced for movie theaters. Nostalgia is a word people use who don't know their own history. By the way, Captain Marvel (i.e. Shazam) holds the record as the first costumed hero to make it to film. At the time he was outselling Superman, and then D.C. filed the lawsuit against Fawcett.

I would defintely go through this guy's list, he is great reviewer and a great expert, in that he doesn't let his "fanboy" or "nostaligia" sensabilities blind his good judgement when writing reviews on this kind of stuff for people today, he can be pretty tough, but then give very good, well earned praise:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A1GWSZ4I2QGCNJ/103-7185998-1171023?ie=UTF8&display=public&sort%5Fby=MostRecentReview&page=1

ConorKilpatrick

03-14-2007, 01:58 PM

Read this in the paper today:

Jake Gyllenhaal may soon collect an awfully big paycheck as America's latest superhero. We hear New Line execs are keen to have the Brokeback Mountain hunk play Captain Marvel in Shazam! Based on the DC comic, the movie is New Line's bid for a franchise on the order of Batman and Superman. "They're ready to spend up to $200 million to get it started," an insider tells us. Sources say director Peter Segal and his fellow producers want to nab Gyllenhaal before Spider-Man director Sam Raimi does - with Spider-Man 3 due to open on May 4, star Tobey Maguire has said he may let someone else play the web slinger.

iSteve

03-14-2007, 02:05 PM

DrWally

03-14-2007, 02:10 PM

Hard to envision Gyllenhaal as Capt. Marvel. Easier to see him as Toby McGwire's successor in Spiderman. Wasn't Gyllenhaal originally considered for Spiderman?

Forget the star of the flick, check up on the director and writer of the flick. I'm sure many people had many of the same things to say about Hugh Jackman and Toby McGuire before they saw the movies -- it's not about them, it's about Singer, Raimi, and don't forget Nolan...they made the movies, not McGuire or Jackman or... what was the name of the guy who played Batman in Batman Begins? I forgot already. Great flick.

ConorKilpatrick

03-14-2007, 02:19 PM

Forget the star of the flick, check up on the director and writer of the flick. I'm sure many people had many of the same things to say about Hugh Jackman and Toby McGuire before they saw the movies -- it's not about them, it's about Singer, Raimi, and don't forget Nolan...they made the movies, not McGuire or Jackman or... what was the name of the guy who played Batman in Batman Begins? I forgot already. Great flick.

Christian Bale

JAFlanagan

03-14-2007, 02:21 PM

ConorKilpatrick

03-14-2007, 02:26 PM

Bryan Singer couldn't eclipse the awful of Halle Berry.

I agree. The director is supremely important, but so is the choice of lead actor.

iSteve

03-14-2007, 02:30 PM

DrWally

03-14-2007, 02:36 PM

Bryan Singer couldn't eclipse the awful of Halle Berry.

I think Gyllenhalkjllalllleennen was on SNL a little while back, and if I'm not mistaken, he was ripped. If he bulks up a bit more, he could totally pull Marvel off.

But boy oh boy, am I excited to have to go through another round of dumbass Brokeback jokes. :(

Hey, people get so (rightfully) down on Halle Berry, they forget all the joy Singer brought them with Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellan, Hugh Jackman, the guy who plays Cyclops, I could go on and on. Ian McKellan, Patrick Stewart, and Hugh Jackman trumps one poopy Berry.

And don't worry Josh -- if this goes through with Gyllenhal I will make it my mission (after that last remark) to remind you that the Joker and Captain Marvel did the nasty on a camping trip in the mountains...

But seriously folks, I really don't know what to make of the Director/Writer combo. The director is coming from a pretty straight up silly comedy background, but the writers are coming from a really serious dramatic background. The Nutty Professor II/The Longest Yard remake director, and The Basketball Diaries writer? I have no idea what to make of this. In a wierd way, I think this is good. Add that it's New Line, and I say: we have no f***ing idea what will happen until this movie comes out 3 or 4 four years from now.

But hey, Josh, did you hear the Joker ****ed Captain Marvel in a pup tent? Wow, I may have YEARS to milk that one...

ConorKilpatrick

03-14-2007, 02:43 PM

Hey, people get so (rightfully) down on Halle Berry, they forget all the joy Singer brought them with Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellan, Hugh Jackman, the guy who plays Cyclops, I could go on and on. Ian McKellan, Patrick Stewart, and Hugh Jackman trumps one poopy Berry.

I don't think that anyone is forgetting that, rather pointing out that as good as a director might be, the casting has to be right also. With the X-Men movies Singer had a really high success rate with his casting. I think he only made two major missteps - with Storm and Sabertooth.

The guy who played Cyclops is James Marsden.

DrWally

03-14-2007, 02:44 PM

I agree. The director is supremely important, but so is the choice of lead actor.

...who is chosen with major input from the director and writer, unless the studio forces a big star on them. Again, given who is doing it, this is waaaaaaay premature to be judging.

And seriouly, one of the biggest reasons movies with gay characters never get made is that too many actors fear being "typecast" as being really homo. So, our two boys from Brokeback got a real pair a balls as actors...

and The Joker F***ed Captain Marvel?

"Shazam!" --Jim Nabors, gay actor, as Gomer Pile (Josh is now thinking, oh shit, I shouldn't have said anything...)

ConorKilpatrick

03-14-2007, 02:48 PM

...who is chosen with major input from the director and writer, unless the studio forces a big star on them. Again, given who is doing it, this is waaaaaaay premature to be judging.

Rarely does the writer get casting imput in Hollywood.

And I still don't understand what we're going back and forth here about - the choice of the lead actor is important, no matter who is making it.

DrWally

03-14-2007, 02:50 PM

I don't think that anyone is forgetting that, rather pointing out that as good as a director might be, the casting has to be right also. With the X-Men movies Singer had a really high success rate with his casting. I think he only made two major missteps - with Storm and Sabertooth.

The guy who played Cyclops is James Marsden.

MARSDEN, yeah, that's it. I liked him in Superman Returns, too. He was good, actually, I really liked him a lot as Cyclops. I agree totally. I think one of the reasons Halle Berry stood out as being so, so, so bad was that she was surrounded by so many that were so great.

Yeah, Singer really did do well. That is one great guy, a fantastic director. I bet his wife was really proud.http://revision3.com/forum/images/icons/icon12.gif

DarrOn

03-14-2007, 02:51 PM

Gyllenhalkjllalllleennen

THAT'S how you spell it.

Even the mere thought of a Pixar made Captain Marvel flick Has me running to my closet to get new pants......That'd be amazing! John Ratzenberger would probably voice the Wizard Shazam.

DrWally

03-14-2007, 02:54 PM

Rarely does the writer get casting imput in Hollywood.

And I still don't understand what we're going back and forth here about - the choice of the lead actor is important, no matter who is making it.

We're going back and forth about it becaue we're typing at the same time, and don't get to see each other's answer until we reply. The magic of the internet, "in real time" :p

So who plays Billy Batson? I would say that is just as crucial a choice. You could have a great Captain Marvel, but if Billy is wrong, doesn't work. Again, I think this is way premature. This movie will come out...3 years from now? If we're lucky.

fred

03-14-2007, 03:16 PM

The Basketball Diaries writer?

this is the greatest movie and nobody ever talks about it. I love it.

DrWally

03-14-2007, 03:55 PM

this is the greatest movie and nobody ever talks about it. I love it.

Now pair him, and another guy that writes plays and movies of the same type, with the director of the Last Yard, The Nutty Professor II: Meet the Humps, a Police Academy movie....

This is a rather interesting, if not bizarre combination. And any director who is any good will work closely with the writers and then the director will take that input and his own views to casting, unless the suits at New Line are just calling all the shots and picking people they think might fit at random. IF that's the case, it's a rather strange combination, all summed up...

My guess is the movie will either be a giant masterstroke or huge turd, who knows where this will go, with all the money the director has to play with... 3 + years to go...

Mikegraham6

03-14-2007, 06:37 PM

Now pair him, and another guy that writes plays and movies of the same type, with the director of the Last Yard, The Nutty Professor II: Meet the Humps, a Police Academy movie....

This is a rather interesting, if not bizarre combination. And any director who is any good will work closely with the writers and then the director will take that input and his own views to casting, unless the suits at New Line are just calling all the shots and picking people they think might fit at random. IF that's the case, it's a rather strange combination, all summed up...

My guess is the movie will either be a giant masterstroke or huge turd, who knows where this will go, with all the money the director has to play with... 3 + years to go...

i remember i had the same reaction when i heard that tim story was directing the fantastic 4 movie. i had such high hopes for it but when i found out he directed TAXI and BARBERSHOP i knew it wasn't going to work.....

iSteve

03-14-2007, 07:08 PM

A Pixar animated movie of Captain Marvel I can easily see, but the ideas of a live-action movie makes me quesy. Captain Marvel is such a campy figure (and always has been - even in the 1940s) that I find it hard to imagine a serious super-hero movie made about the character. And I'm a big Shazam fan too.

DrWally

03-14-2007, 07:18 PM

i remember i had the same reaction when i heard that tim story was directing the fantastic 4 movie. i had such high hopes for it but when i found out he directed TAXI and BARBERSHOP i knew it wasn't going to work.....

I can see your point, but I'm not ready to call it a bomb, 3+ years before the (possible) release of a film that has such a gigantic budget. I can only guess that they want some serious treatment of the character, but want it handled in a kid friendly, light and funny way, so it's more C.C. Beck than Tim Burton.

But who the hell knows what the heck is going on inside New Line at this point. I can understand screwing up the FF movie because that's got so much history and tangled cosmic level storylines going back almost 50 years, but now Jeff Smith is practically story boarding the thing for them, and if they have any sense at all they'll just do his version.

It would just be so simple to just do Jeff Smith's Shazam, but Hollywood? I never underestimate their ability to think they know everything and actually know nothing at all, even with Jeff Smith's version staring them in the face.. I've spoken with marketing people in Tokyo for a major film company, seen hand written notes by the director on the weekly box office reports, and Tokyo and Hollywood, even though the same company, barely know how to talk to each other, even though 50% of any films's profit comes from overseas box office.

Remember the movie Pearl Harbor? Hollywood showed their first trailer to their Tokyo branch and were surprised by their reaction to it. Duh.

Tokyo eventually marketed it as a romance and made a mint, but that is a very rare exception. Hollywood execs are clueless, and I'm constantly having to explain what the word "demographic" means to film marketing people in Tokyo, even though they know the word (but don't really understand it). I know people like to make the comment "Remember, it's a business" but I would reply, "Yeah, but that doesn't make the people running the business smart businessmen."

ConorKilpatrick

03-14-2007, 07:30 PM

It would just be so simple to just do Jeff Smith's Shazam, but Hollywood? I never underestimate their ability to think they know everything and actually know nothing at all, even with Jeff Smith's version staring them in the face..

I'll be completely honest with you fine folks - that second issue was a major snooze-fest. As much as I love the first issue, the second one bored me to tears.

DrWally

03-14-2007, 08:14 PM

I'll be completely honest with you fine folks - that second issue was a major snooze-fest. As much as I love the first issue, the second one bored me to tears.

I think it was inevitable setting up for the next issue. Let me know what you think when #3 comes out. I think there were tons of references popping up in #2 that Shazam fans could totally reconize, and I thought Smith was pretty bold for throwing in so much so fast, but I can see how somebody who doesn't know the character's history can be less than impressed.

I just read some pretty wonderful Matt Wagner stuff (Trinity, Batman and the Monstermen) but I don't expect Smith to do a "dark" Captain Marvel. Shazam really is "fun for the kids," which is probably the direction the film's producers want to take the character. Smith's Shazam is basically the response to "where are the comics for kids?" and I think that's it. I still react to it like I do to the original "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (and god spare me that awful Tim Burton version).

Conversely, I found the reviews of Wagner's take on Batman on Amazon by many reviewers as seeming like they wanted Batman to be more like Adam West. I like my apples and oranges, but get confused when people expect their apples to be oranges.

Either way, the Shazam movie is going to be a lot about navigating some tricky waters....but I think people like Dolan's Batman, but would rather not have Shazam be like that, which is where Smith is coming from.

Mikegraham6

03-14-2007, 10:26 PM

im with conor, the second definitely wasn't as good as the first. i still enjoyed it though, but the big problem i have is the price, i can't justify paying that much for an average book, especially if it stars a character that i couldn't care less about.

the art was still magnificent though

comhcinc

03-14-2007, 10:49 PM

I was interested in it from the standpoint of whether or not Shazam can support a movie. Does he even have enough fans? Is he distinct enough from Superman to draw mainstream viewers? I say no to both.

agree lets end this and move on to something important,like do this shorts make my ass look fat?

fred

03-14-2007, 11:38 PM

are you talking about boyshorts? I think that thread is going on over in general discussion

comhcinc

03-14-2007, 11:41 PM

well i am a boy and they are my shorts.......yeah i guess i am

kwok_talk

03-15-2007, 01:36 AM

Jake Gyllenhaal might be Captain Marvel

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=7&id=40551

Mikegraham6

03-18-2007, 06:11 PM

sorry all you brokeback fans. From Superhero Hype!:

Jake Gyllenhaal is Not Captain Marvel
Source: Advanced Dark March 17, 2007

Shazam! screenwriter John August has debunked the rumor that Jake Gyllenhaal will play Captain Marvel on his official website:

But the thing is, he's not considering. I can pretty much assure you he's never heard of the project. And we've never discussed him. We've never seriously discussed anyone.

After several months of meetings, casting has come up exactly zero times. There's no casting list. If there were a list, Gyllenhaal's name would probably be on it, but trust me: there is no list. There's no start date, no release date, no movie whatsoever. There's just a script to be written. Which I should probably get back to.

It was announced earlier this month that August would pen the New Line Cinema comic book adaptation, to be directed by Peter Segal.

DrWally

03-18-2007, 06:17 PM

There's just a script to be written. Which I should probably get back to.

This is exactly what I think everytime I log on to Rev3 iFanboy...not a Shazam script, actually an original thing...

which I should probably get back to...

ConorKilpatrick

03-19-2007, 07:58 PM

From Lying in the Gutters (http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/?column=13)

2008 is going to be all Captain Marvel and Mary Marvel. DC will be pushing the character with the animated series and toys. Mary Marvel will have a starring role in "Countdown." The Jeff Smith series will get a huge promotional push when it's collected, and is just the first of a number of Captain Marvel projects with large appeal.

More in the link.

ConorKilpatrick

04-10-2007, 03:55 AM

From Ain't It Cool News: (http://www.aintitcool.com/node/32219)

John August... The Screenwriter Of SHAZAM... Says ‘Old Things Suck’?

In his most recent blog entry, August demonstrates a solid working knowledge of Captain Marvel, and he offers up a well-considered primer of material he’s been reading as he preps for adapting the character to the bigscreen. So overall, I’m pleased as punch that he’s the guy writing SHAZAM! I would love to read William Goldman’s script sometime, but I’m sure August is going to produce something fascinating by the time he turns his script in.

But, boy howdy... the down side of having a blog is that sometimes you say something that’s just guaranteed to pee in the punchbowl of the exact audience you’re courting, and I’ve gotten a whoooooooole bunch of mail this weekend that would indicate that August did exactly that.

From the blog:

"DC publishes hardcover anthologies that gather up decades' worth of Captain Marvel comics. If I were writing a dissertation on the evolution of the Captain Marvel character, these would be invaluable. But I'm not. So every time I read one of these, I'm struck with the same realization I encounter trying to watch The Honeymooners or a black-and-white movie: Wow. Old things suck.

Yes, I know that will piss off the vintage comics fans, who insist that the original incarnations are the purest forms of a character. But what you quickly realize is that old-time comic books were awkwardly written, crudely drawn, and bewilderingly inconsistent with their rules. They were making up the art form as they went along, and today's comic books are better for the accumulated wisdom.

Vintage fans are free to disagree. There's a vast but finite amount of comic books to last them through their days."

More in the link.

Mikegraham6

04-10-2007, 04:29 AM

"old things suck.." hmmmmmm, thats a mouthful and kind of makes him lose all credibility in my opinion, but he is probably right in terms of Captain Marvel, i bet those old issue are extremely cheesy. Although that is an extremely ignorant comment to make especially when it's applied to something in general

tavella

04-11-2007, 06:58 AM

I'll be completely honest with you fine folks - that second issue was a major snooze-fest. As much as I love the first issue, the second one bored me to tears.

Bah. Blasphemer. Mary Marvel saying "Don't be mad!" and joyriding around in the sky made the issue. And TAWKY TAWNY!

DarrOn

04-11-2007, 05:27 PM

And is it just me, or did those first two issues pop out rather quickly, only to leave us waiting for the third....?

fred

04-11-2007, 05:30 PM

I was just wondering where #3 was the other day

kahunablair

08-30-2007, 09:15 PM

I don't think this is deserving of a "Pre-Release Hype" thread yet, but if it is Conor will probably fix it.

The Shazam! movie's writer was talking about how he feels about the tone of the movie...

“It’s not Spider-Man plus jokes. There’s really good comic potential there,” he asserted, revealing that his film — an origin story — owes as much to “Big” as it does to “Superman.”

“Yeah, I avoid saying that because that incenses certain people,” August laughed of the comparison. “But the people that are going to go see this movie opening weekend are going to be excited to see [action and comedy] together.”

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/33836

Now I loved Big, and I think that's a good route to take the movie. What's everyone else feel about it?

esophagus

08-30-2007, 09:28 PM

Now I loved Big, and I think that's a good route to take the movie. What's everyone else feel about it?As an origin story, I think this is a good route to take. That's really the tone that early Captain Marvel books, and a good route to go. Personally I prefer the more serious, slightly crazy Marvel that we've seen lately.

kahunablair

08-30-2007, 10:22 PM

As an origin story, I think this is a good route to take. That's really the tone that early Captain Marvel books, and a good route to go. Personally I prefer the more serious, slightly crazy Marvel that we've seen lately.

There are 2 versions of a Captain Marvel movie I'd like to see.
The first one seems to be the way they're heading.
The second one would be an origin story that combined the Original Captain Marvel origin with the current one in Trials of Shazam. Billy could be a teenager age, and Shazam could make him go through the trials.

esophagus

08-30-2007, 10:47 PM

There are 2 versions of a Captain Marvel movie I'd like to see.
The first one seems to be the way they're heading.
The second one would be an origin story that combined the Original Captain Marvel origin with the current one in Trials of Shazam. Billy could be a teenager age, and Shazam could make him go through the trials.Yeah, I was thinking about that, if it's an origin, which would they go with? But with this one being so recent, I'm sure it'll be the original.

cormano

08-31-2007, 05:43 AM

Jake Gyllenhaal can't play Shazam, he's gonna the new Spider-Man ;).

esophagus

08-31-2007, 06:31 AM

I tihnk that went out the window a while ago.

redlibertyx

09-01-2007, 12:56 AM

I have a feeling that they're going to screw this up royally by not understanding what this is. Hollywood's version of a comedic superhero movie has been Underdog and My Super Ex-Girlfriend. I'd love for a movie based off Jeff Smith's little miniseries since it's terribly fun, but it's not going to happen.

iSteve

11-03-2007, 06:52 PM

THE ROCK TO PLAY BLACK ADAM IN SHAZAM MOVIE?

http://www.newsarama.com/movies/Shazam/JOhnson.jpg

Rounding out what?s been a week loaded with movie news (both good and bad) of DC Comics properties, it seems that there?s now a serious ?Well, duh? moment. Dwayne ?The Rock? Johnson has confirmed to multiple sources, including MTV?s Movie Blog, that he?ll be playing Black Adam in the upcoming movie adaptation of Shazam, to be directed by Pete Segal. (Click on the link above for a video interview with Johnson)

To be fair, Johnson hasn?t signed anything yet, but MTV reported that the character of ?was being changed to meet his strengths as an actor,? according to Johnson, who was set to meet with Segal last evening to discuss the role. Also to be fair, it could be argued that Johnson already played this role in 2002?s The Scorpion King, a sequel to Stephen Sommers? two Mummy movies, where he played a Conan-esque Egyptian warrior king.

In March, John August was announced as the screenwriter on the project. According to reports, August sat down with DC comics writer Geoff Johns to make sure the vision of Captain Marvel ? Billy Batson, Black Adam and the wizard Shazam ? are consistent with what fans love about the character and his world.

No production start date for the film has been announced (and most likely won't be announced until the Writer's strike is over), neither has an actor playing Captain Marvel, though with Johnson as Black Adam, that role has become that much harder to fill, given the fact that Johnson is a rising star in his own right, and could easily overshadow any Captain Marvel actor in the eyes of the media. But of course, this is Hollywood, where red herring is the catch of the day, and it's also 2007 (or 2009+ when the film comes out)...who says Captain Marvel has to be lily white?

Let the speculation begin.

ConorKilpatrick

01-09-2009, 06:20 AM

Thus is the danger of having these threads too early...

Screenwriter John August says Shazam! (http://johnaugust.com/archives/2009/shazam-done) is dead.

CAM!

01-09-2009, 01:39 PM

Thus is the danger of having these threads too early...

Screenwriter John August says Shazam! (http://johnaugust.com/archives/2009/shazam-done) is dead.

I wondered why this had popped back up again, I also wonder where Wally is these days.

But re: the movie, it's too bad, but sounds like just the sort of company back and forth that has put so many of these movies on hold.

CammyKnoxville

01-10-2009, 06:23 AM

Dammit! The Rock would have been a perfect Black Adam!!!

Now that this movie isn't happening, someone get him in a Sub-Mariner movie ASAP!

thenextchampion

01-10-2009, 06:29 AM

Damn, my dream of a Shazam film will never come to pass now.

Captain Marvel might be my favorite superheroes and I'm tired of seeing him get pushed to the side in DC. I even heard that they were considering of axing off the entire family in the future....But I think the annoucement for this film saved them....now that this is cancelled I wonder if those rumors will resurface.