He’s certainly looks big, red… and maybe even a little cheesy.
The first pictures of Zachary Levi in costume as Shazam have been unveiled.
Photos from the Toronto set of the latest DC superhero flick show the 37-year-old taking on the rather colorful costume of the comicbook character.
Big red cheese! The first pictures of Zachary Levi in costume as Shazam have been unveiled
The gold boots, belt and bracers, tight red body suit and white hooded cape looked like they came straight from the source material, right down the the giant yellow thunderbolt on his chest.
The thick black hair and bulging muscles — whether padded or real, or a combination — were spot on also; even down to the gold trim on his cape.
The character was created by Bill Parker and C.C. Beck for Fawcett Comics back in 1939 — the golden age of comics — in the wake of the success of the likes of Batman and Superman.
Hero at work: Photos from the Toronto set of the latest DC superhero flick show the 37-year-old taking on the rather colorful costume of the comicbook character
He’s got the look: The gold boots, belt and bracers, tight red body suit and white hooded cape looked like they came straight from the source material, right down the the giant yellow thunderbolt on his chest
Ripped: The thick black hair and bulging muscles — whether padded or real, or a combination — were spot on also
Details: Even down to he gold trim on his cape
Origins: The character was created by Bill Parker and C.C. Beck for Fawcett Comics back in 1939 — the golden age of comics — in the wake of the success of the likes of Batman and Superman
The alter ego of 14-year-old Billy Batson, he is granted the powers of six ‘immortal elders’ of the ancient world by uttering the word SHAZAM, including the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Atlas, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles, and the speed of Mercury.
Thursday’s photos also revealed the first look at his arch enemy Dr. Thaddeus Sivana — who coined the immortal ‘big red cheese’ insult — played by Mark Strong.
A genius inventor turned bitter villain after years of ridicule, he is normally depicted in the comics as a somewhat frail old man.
However the film version appears to depict him much physically stronger; strong enough in fact to go toe-to-toe with the superhero.
Bad guy: Thursday’s photos also revealed the first look at his arch enemy Dr. Thaddeus Sivana — who coined the immortal ‘big red cheese’ insult — played by Mark Strong
Strong in name: The film version appears to depict him much physically stronger; strong enough in fact to go toe-to-toe with the superhero
Battle: One one scene Strong is shown catching Levi’s punch and grabbing him by the throat; another shows the hero flung atop a police car, crushing it underneath
How’d he do that? A genius inventor turned bitter villain after years of ridicule, Sivana is normally depicted in the comics as a somewhat frail old man
One one scene Strong is shown catching Levi’s punch and grabbing him by the throat.
Another shows the hero flung atop a police car, crushing it underneath.
The film will be the seventh in the DC Extended Universe; but what crossovers – if any – with the Justice League remain to be seen.
Chasing Marvel: The film will be the seventh in the DC Extended Universe
Where’s batman when you need him? But what crossovers – if any – with the Justice League remain to be seen
Broke that too: With its more comicbook-look and less realistic approach, Warner Bros may steer the film into more comedic territory, a la Deadpool; indeed just like the Merc With The Mouth, Billy Batson broke the fourth wall and addressed the readers of the original comic directly
It’s complicated: Despite his lighthearted origins, the character has a very convoluted legal history
With its more comicbook-look and less realistic approach, Warner Bros may steer the film into more comedic territory, a la Deadpool; indeed just like the Merc With The Mouth, Billy Batson broke the fourth wall and addressed the readers of the original comic directly.
Despite his lighthearted origins, the character has a very convoluted legal history.
He was besieged on both sides from the two giants of comic book publishing — DC and Marvel — the former because of his similarities to Superman, the later because of his original name: Captain Marvel.
Confusing: Despite belonging to DC, Shazam’s original name is Captain Marvel… which is also the name of Marvel’s female superhero
DC eventually bought the rights to the character, but were prevented from calling him Captain Marvel by Marvel — who had their own Captain Marvel — leading him to be referred to as Shazam in the comics, which will likely be the case in the film too.
Marvel studios meanwhile is currently filming it’s own Captain Marvel film, starring Brie Larson in the titular role.
Levi joins the ranks of actors who have played heroes of the Marvel — DC divide, having starred as Fandral in Thor.
More gods: Levi joins the ranks of actors who have played heroes of the Marvel — DC divide, having starred as Fandral in Thor