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Bill Birch Talks ‘Shazam!’
By Landfill | November 11, 2009
Back in August we told you Bill Birch and Geoff Johns were brought on to write Shazam! the story of Billy Batson who turns into a super hero by saying the word “Shazam”. With that news came the idea that the writing duo were going to go back to the source material to write the script. Today Birch gives us an update on Shazam and his wishful casting.
First off, Birch was asked how the whole Shazam project came about but he wanted to brag on the other writer, Geoff Johns first.
“Okay, first of all let me say that Geoff Johns is also a freakin’ stud. He’s young, smart, creative and has this crazy encyclopedic knowledge of everything DC. He’s so cool I almost hate him a little bit. Thankfully I’ve been able to put that hate aside and I’ve enjoyed every minute we’ve spent working together while breaking the new Marvel/Shazam story. Geoff and I are in the thick of it, creating a kickass update that still honors the lore that’s been created in over 50 years of Marvel storylines.”
Birch adds that the writing duo have looked back at previous attempts to get the story right but they really want to start fresh with the character.
Birch says he and his brothers were big super hero fans and had tons of Superman comics lying around. With those Superman comics were a few Shazam.
“I remember being fascinated with the idea that a kid could just say “Shazam!” and become a superhero. It’s the ultimate in wish fulfillment and obviously that will be a theme in the script. I was also a religious watcher of the 70’s TV show.”
With CBMs promising to be darker in tone, Birch says Shazam won’t necessarily be as dark as “Dark Knight” but will be as cool with a PG-13 rating.
The writer was asked what is the most important aspect of bringing Shazam to the big screen, he said, “Tonally I think it’s important to successfully find the balance of comedy and danger in the story. That’s a major aspect I’m focusing on. Frankly hitting the right tone is what’s going to either get this made or keep it in development hell.”
And finally, Birch said when he in the writing process, he doesn’t necessarily think of any actors to portray the characters because he realizes actors aren’t attached fully til the first day of shooting is over. He did say that he had Ryan Reynolds in mind to play Captain Marvel but he’s out of the question with his latest Green Lantern gig.
“I always thought Ryan Reynolds would have been interesting but now that he’s Green Lantern that’s not an option. Honestly I don’t think too much about it since I have very little say in the casting decisions.”
Topics: Shazam! | 3 Comments »
3 Responses to “Bill Birch Talks ‘Shazam!’”
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November 11th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
You know, Jon Hamm would make an interesting Shazam!
November 11th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
lol I thought about him too when I start reading the article. But he is getting old, so…
Also, I think, maybe just maybe, he could be a good candidate for Superman, a mature one with no origin story and maybe some orientation into the future, into Kingdom Come.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Patrick Warburton. He’s got the size and the look. I never really took Captain Marvel as a property to be taken too seriously. Not like Batman, the Watchmen or even Superman. I could see Mr. Warburton saying lines that come from an actual 14 year old.