Geoff Johns Attached to Write New Shazam (Captain Marvel) Movie for WB

The Hollywood Reporter is claiming that yet another Captain Marvel Shazam is in production. This will be the latest in a long line of attempts to adapt the classic Faucett Comics turned DC Comics character for the big screen. Several attempts have been made before but have always petered out in the pre-production stage.

This time though, there is a glimmer of hope, because DC Comics superstar writer Goff Johns is attached to the project, and is said to be co-writing the film script along with Billy Birch. In addition, Peter Segal is attached to direct, and also is producing the film with Michael Ewing.

Well, I’ll keep my fingers crossed because Captain Marvel is one of my all time favourite superheroes, but I just don’t think he is right for a Hollywood movie though as he is too upbeat and innocent, and people don’t seem to enjoy that sort of thing anymore, they want heroes with psychopathic tendencies, that crush babies for fun… oh well, I guess we’ll see what happens!

If you are unfamiliar with the story, Captain Marvel is the alter ego of Billy Batson, a youth who works as a radio news reporter and was chosen to be a champion of good by the wizard Shazam. Whenever Billy speaks the wizard’s name, he is instantly struck by a magic lightning bolt that transforms him into an adult superhero empowered with the abilities of six legendary figures; one from the Old Testament and five from mythology. Several friends and family members, most notably Marvel Family cohorts Mary Marvel and Captain Marvel Jr., can share Billy’s power and become “Marvels” themselves.

Don’t confuse This Captain Marvel with the one published by Marvel comics. Marvel do not allow DC to use the work ‘Marvel’ in any advertising, and hence the reason the comics and movie are called ‘Shazam’.

Captain Marvel show Superman his Crotch Powah!

Captain Marvel shows Superman his Crotch Powah!

From the Hollywood Reporter:
Actor-turned-writer Bill Birch has been tapped to reboot “Shazam!,” Warners’ adaptation of a DC Comics series featuring Captain Marvel. Geoff Johns, one of the three DC Comics heavyweights hired by the studio to act as consultants on DC projects, is also helping with the kick-start, co-writing the story with Birch.

It’s somewhat fitting that Birch takes on “Shazam!” as his very name echoes the name of the comic’s hero, Billy Batson, a teenager who becomes Captain Marvel when he utters the magic word “Shazam!” The name is an acronym for six gods and heroes of the ancient world as well as their attributes: 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.

The project, which was housed at New Line for several years, has had a tough time taking flight, with writers William Goldman, Bryan Goluboff, Joel Cohen and Alec Sokolow, as well as John August taking turns writing a script.

Peter Segal remains attached to direct and also is producing with Michael Ewing.

Greg Silverman is overseeing for Warners while Gregory Noveck oversees for DC.

Birch, repped by ICM and Anonymous Content, has appeared in TV shows ranging from the original “Beverly Hills, 90210″ to “Grey’s Anatomy” to “The Unit.” He is currently writing Warners’ “One Finger Salute” to which Segal is attached to direct.

Johns is repped by WME.