Zachary Levi, the recently announced star of the superhero movie Shazam!, has compared the film to the Tom Hanks comedy Big.
In an interview with KTLA 5 on Tuesday, Levi discussed the project, stating that “the hope is that it’s gonna feel like the movie ‘Big’, but with super powers.” Levi is, of course, referring to the 1988 film that saw the main character magically transformed into an adult. “You’re gonna have the heart of that kind of Tom Hanks of the kid in you,” he continued.
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This comparison would make sense, considering the story of Shazam is about a boy who uses a magic word to transform into a super-powered adult. The themes of wish fulfillment and childhood fantasy explored in Hanks movie will most likely be present in Shazam! as well, but with the added complication of superpowers.
Levi also felt “honored and greatly humbled” to have the opportunity to be the star on a big budget superhero film. While the actor is no stranger to superhero movies, having portrayed the Asgardian Fandral in Thor: The Dark World and Thor: Ragnarok, this will be his first starring role.
Shazam! is directed by David F. Sandberg, written by Henry Gayden and Darren Lemk, and will be produced by New Line Cinema, Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment. The film will star Zachary Levi as Shazam (formerly Captain Marvel), Asher Angel as Billy Batson, and Mark Strong as the villain Doctor Sivana. Grace Fulton (Annabelle: Creation) has also been cast in an unknown role. The movie is scheduled to begin filming in February ahead of a April 5, 2019 release date.