It has finally been confirmed! Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will be sharing the same skies as the heroes of the DC Film Universe in 2019 when he suits up to take on the role of Black Adam in SHAZAM!
Since its announcement, there have been doubts as to whether or not Shazam! would tie-in with the current DC film universe due to the fact that Johnson’s production company Seven Buck Productions is developing the film along with New Line Cinema. Well, the rumors can finally be put to rest, because it’s been confirmed that SHAZAM! will indeed be joining the DCEU.
During an interview with Newsweek, Dany Garcia, Johnson’s manager and co-producer, revealed that Shazam and Black Adam will be sharing the skies with the Man of Steel. “Shazam! is to live in the same world [as the other films] but we have incredible autonomy over this brand and franchise,” said Garcia. “We are working with a different team, different producers, directors… it’s a different set-up.”
Garcia went on to address the backlash from Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad, and how it could affect SHAZAM! “We don’t feel fettered by, or constrained by, the successes or failures and challenges of the other projects. That was a key component to our participation—that we be able to control the tone and the voice, and do it the way we want to.”
Just how connected will SHAZAM! be to the current batch of DC movies? According to Garcia, the film will be part of the DC universe, but it will also maintain its own separate tone. “It needs to be of the world,” says Garcia. “You’ve got Justice League, Wonder Woman with a different director, so you’re going to see different points of view. I think by the time we land with [Shazam!] we’ll fit nicely within the world that’s been created, but not such a shorthand relationship. [It’ll be] enough that people say, ‘Oh, this is within the family,’ but the culture will be a little different.”
When asked about the film’s current status, Garcia revealed that they’re carefully working on the script and getting it right. “We’re getting [script] drafts in… it’s important to make sure we get the tone right for Black Adam, which is Dwayne’s part. We don’t mind taking our time. We’re being very careful with each act and scene to go back and layer in as much as possible.” From ComicBookMovie.com and Twitter: @_Kr08