Bill Birch and DC Comics writer Geoff Johns have been hired to script the latest version of the proposed Shazam! film which would follow the exploits of Captain Marvel. (Due to trademark issues DC Comics can’t use the character’s name for titling purposes, which often leads people to believe the character is actually named Shazam.) Birch is an actor-turned-writer without any produced scripting credits yet, while Johns is one of DC’s big guns and among the three writers recently put in as consultants to help steer DC Comics projects at Warner Bros. Peter Segal (The Longest Yard, Get Smart) remains attached as the movie’s director.
Captain Marvel is actually a teenager by the name of Billy Batson who transforms into his alter-ego upon saying “Shazam,” the name of a wizard who gifted Billy with the power of gods and other heroes. The wizard’s name is also an acronym of those aforementioned people whom Billy’s powers derive: Solomon (wisdom), Hercules (strength), Atlas (stamina), Zeus (power), Achilles (courage) and Mercury (speed). Black Adam is Captain Marvel’s frequent foil. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has often been mentioned as being up for one of the two roles.
