The casting for Warner Bros. and New Line’s Shazam! movie continues to come together as Variety reports that Andi Mack star Asher Angel has been cast in the role of Billy Batson, the young boy that can transform into the titular hero.
Angel joins a cast that includes Zachary Levi (Thor films, Chuck, Tangled) as his alter ego, with Grace Fulton (Annabelle: Creation) in talks to play one of Billy Batson’s friends in the film, and Mark Strong (Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, Sherlock Holmes) in talks to play villain, Doctor Sivana.
Created in 1939 by artist C. C. Beck and writer Bill Parker, Shazam first appeared in Fawcett Comics’ Whiz Comics #2. By saying the world “Shazam,” teenager Billy Batson was transformed into the “world’s mightiest mortal” and given extraordinary abilities by ancient gods. It has not been revealed who will play Billy yet.
David F. Sandberg is directing for New Line Cinema. He recently confirmed that the target release date for the film is April 2019. The Lights Out and Annabelle: Creation director will step behind the camera with Peter Safran producing. Henry Gayden and Darren Lemke wrote the script for Shazam!, which is scheduled to shoot in Vancouver next year.
Dwayne Johnson will not appear as the villain Black Adam in the film and is developing a solo film for the anti-hero as a separate project.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
