Comments on: Shazam! is Dead

By: Whiz

Whiz — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:02:31 +0000

What is ironic is the first script turned in, by William Goldman, was said to be by insiders who read it the greatest superhero script ever written, yet the powers that be rejected it for being TOO SERIOUS AND TOO DARK!!! Now they WANT serious and dark? Then just revive the Goldman draft, and they can still get the movie made by 2010…or 2012 if they want to get a new director.

By: Rodney

Rodney — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:12:05 +0000

We linked to Cinematical’s article on the subject, and my name is Rodney… not John.

Just sayin.

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:58:33 +0000

Sorry for the redundant(ish) post there… I just saw that the Cinematical article linked to John’s blog entry also.

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:56:55 +0000

Here is John August’s take on the story:

http://johnaugust.com/archives/2009/shazam-done

His original screenplay was on the lighter side, and the studio was pushing for a darker edge (and to more prominently feature Black Adam).

By: Party Marty

Party Marty — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:53:17 +0000

@ KRISTINA

Are ‘dark’ and ‘homicidal sexcriminal’ the same thing?

This must be the least suitable comic ever for making a dark adaptation.

By: Kristina

Kristina — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:50:07 +0000

There’s no possible way to make a guy yelling SHAZAM into a dark movie.

It cracks me up to hear this “let’s make it dark like TDK” business. This isn’t the first time I’ve heard this, and it makes no sense. Studios are thinking with their wallets and not with their brains. Just because darkness worked for The Dark Knight doesn’t mean that it will work for every comic book movie. The Dark Knight didn’t make money because it was DARK. It made money because it was GOOD, just like the sunnier Iron Man made money because it was GOOD. Batman is a dark character. It’s integral to the character. What’s good for one isn’t good for all. Who wants to see a “dark” X-Men movie where Wolverine rapes Rogue and Jean before committing suicide? Or how about a “dark” Spiderman movie where Peter Parker pimps out Mary Jane for spare cash and beats Aunt May when he sees her in a nursing home? Well, Nagy might like that one, but the general public isn’t going to go for that shit.

By: Rodney

Rodney — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:12:20 +0000

Shazam wasn’t really all that dark (Kingdom Come was pretty gritty) but the bottom line was that it was that when the kid become Capt Marvel, Marvel is aware of his adult form and is a different personality. Often Marvel refered to Billy as a separate person.

August’s version was like Big. The boy magically becomes an adult and comicly deals with being Earth’s Mightiest Mortal with the mind of a child.

I wouldn’t call Shazam dark, but the character of Black Adam was pretty sinister and would easily make the transition. Changing everything to “dark” doesnt mean it will be better.

However, adding that layer of realism (not darkness) to a fantasy rich comic concept is what is making this generation of hero movies a success.

By: kaneda979

kaneda979 — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:23:19 +0000

Well, I never was much into the whole Shazam! thing, but I do respect it as a part of classic comic book history. Sucks for anyone who was looking forward to it, like the state of limbo I’m currently in over the whole Watchman legal rights thing.

But on a lighter note and still very much on the comic book movie level, I just saw the trailer for the new Push movie and it looks just awesome, I think it could be the next suprise comic book movie, like Wanted. It’s based on a Wildstorm, or DC comic series. Check it out: http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/10/17/push-movie-trailer/

By: Mr. Chris

Mr. Chris — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:59:07 +0000

How dark would they plan to make this? I thought Captain Marvel was supposed to be one of the more light-hearted superheroes regardless.