Because 'Shazam!' is similar a lot to Superman which is resurrected in 'Man of Steel' movie series, the plan to bring the superhero to the big screen is halted for an indefinite time.
- Dec 25, 2013
AceShowbiz - "Shazam!" won't be coming to the big screen anytime soon, despite talks to adapt the DC Comics superhero into a movie. Peter Segal who was attached to direct the long-gestating project reveals the film adaptation is postponed for indefinite time due to the success of another DC Comics superhero movie "Man of Steel".
"Now that Superman is being invigorated and going up against Batman, I think it's difficult for DC to figure out how to launch this character in the wake of Superman's resurgence," Segal says to Coming Soon, referring to the upcoming "Man of Steel 2" which will pit Henry Cavill's Superman against Ben Affleck's Batman.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson was once linked to the project. "At its core, it's a lot like Superman," Segal explains. "There's this boy trapped inside of a superhero's body. He's still a boy inside, so there's this opportunity to play a lot of humor with the action."
"Originally, Stan Lee brought me 'Fantastic Four' a number of years for that very reason. I always have the question when people bring me superhero properties, 'Why me?' With Stan, he said, 'It's because there's a sense of humor within all Marvel characters.' These characters are flawed and, within those flaws, there is humor."
Segal continues, "When [producer] Toby Emmerich came to me with Shazam, it was because of those same reasons. To draw from that humor and to mix it with great action and pathos. I've always loved Shazam, but I don't know if it's going to see the light of day anytime soon."
Segal is currently promoting his movie "Grudge Match" starring Robert De Niro and Sylvester Stallone as two aging boxers who step into the ring for one last bout. Supported by Kim Basinger, Kevin Hart and Alan Arkin, it will be released in the U.S. on December 25.
