I wrote a couple weeks ago about a Shazam movie in the works and some casting rumours, but the script itself is not even done yet. I do like where they are going with it and why.
Screenwriter John August has released a few details about his new project, adapting the Shazam character for the big screen. First thing to know is that the source material for the script is all modern era (despite the wealth of material from the past). Jerry Ordway’s “The Power of Shazam!”, Judd Winick’s “First Thunder,” and Jeff Smith’s “Shazam! The Monster Society of Evil” were all mentioned. About why he’s not grabbing from vintage sources, August writes: “what you quickly realize is that old-time comic books were awkwardly written, crudely drawn, and bewilderingly inconsistent with their rules. They were making up the art form as they went along, and today’s comic books are better for the accumulated wisdom.”
I like that they are keeping this in the modern era, and I love his reasoning why.
Just like with any classic character coming to the big screen, there is wild debate growing over whether a Wonder Woman movie would be set in classic World War 2 era despite the more modern telling of the story found in the comics today. And just like August says with his Shazam treatment, is that there is no consistancy. They didn’t make Superman in the 30s, so why would they make Shazam in the 40s? They had a reason.
The craft has grown since then and learned from its mistakes, and so why would he make a movie based on details of a precursor.
It is a fine goal indeed to adapt these iconic characters into big screen movies, but we honestly know that they will base it around the current incarnations because the movies will promote interest in the comics. Walk into any comics shop at the end of this month and tell me how much Spiderman merchandise there is on display.
