John August to write "Shazam!"

By: Karl Schneider
Date: Friday, March 09, 2007
Source: Hollywood Reporter

According to the Hollywood Reporter, John August has been hired to write the upcoming adaptation of the DC comic, Shazam!.

The series focuses on Billy Batson, a teenager who becomes the superhero known as Captain Marvel when he utters the magic word "Shazam!" The name is an acronym for six gods and heroes of the ancient world as well as their attributes: the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Aries, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles and the speed of Mercury.

"It's a unique opportunity to do a comic book movie where the character in it actually read comic books," said August. "What's terrific about the character is that he looks like this superstudly superhero but is really a 13-year-old boy. And to approach everything that is great about a superhero movie from a 13-year-old boy's perspective was a unique way in."

He continued, "I think we're going to be able to be really faithful to the mythology and yet make it completely transparent for people who have no idea who the character is."


KJ's Take:  I just had the most horrible flashback to the similarly titled Kazaam.  Yibbity gibbles, shake it off.