Finally, we have got the first look at Zachary Levi dressed up as Shazam! Whether you call it good or bad, it is unlike what most DC fans expected. The film recently started shooting, and it had spent years in development before the production started under director David F. Sandberg (Lights Out, Annabelle: Creation). This film won’t feature Dwayne Johnson as Black Adam. Now courtesy a set photo leak, we have got the first glimpse of how Levi looks in costume, and it reveals quite a bit about what we should expect from Shazam! upon its release next year.
The photo initially appeared on the DC Cinematic’s Reddit page, and it showed Zachary Levi, surrounded by crew members, in the Shazam costume. Despite the fact that we only got the rear look of the costume, it seems to be quite in line with the colorful, bright costume that we have seen in the DC Comics. It is also different from the typical pattern that we have used in the recent DCEU live-action movies, which you might consider to be a good or a bad thing depending upon your opinion about movies such as Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League. You can also spot some Christmas decorations in the background, which suggests that the movie depicts the holiday season.
Another thing that is clearly visible is that despite Zachary Levi’s adding muscle to his frame after he landed the role last year, the suit has been padded. Henry Cavill is quite a big man and bulky too. Therefore, it is not difficult for him to play Superman without additional support for his muscles. Shazam is supposed to be as mighty a character as Superman. However, Levi’s frame is not that big in real life. Therefore, we wonder if they would use CGI to make him look more muscular in post-production. No matter what, it is obvious that they won’t be slimming the character down for the Shazam! film.
Shazam! is one of the very few certainties about the future of live-action DC Films. WB has undertaken a revision of their strategy after the Justice League failed to deliver. Beyond Shazam! there is no confirmation of even The Batman going into production. Keeping that in mind, Shazam! will be the first film that entered production under the revised strategy and new DC Films team overseeing it, which might make it a very different DC film. The one that has padded suit muscles.
Other than Zachary Levi, the film’s cast includes Asher Angel as the young boy who later becomes Shazam; the film also stars Grace Fulton, Cooper Andrews, Jack Dylan Grazer, Ian Chen, Jovan Armand, Faithe Herman and Ron Cephas Jones. Mark Strong is playing the lead villain Doctor Sivana, who can also be seen in this photo. Although we are not sure whether he is in costume or not. Shazam! Is scheduled to release in theaters on April 5, 2019. You can check Zachary Levi’s in-costume set photo provided by Batman-News.com Twitter account, for yourself below.
