Shazam!

***Shazam!*** is a 2019 superhero film featuring the DC Comics hero, Captain Marvel. It is the seventh film in the DCEU and the third film in Phase 2. It was released on April 5, 2019.

## Plot Summary

In Philadelphia, Billy Batson is an abandoned child who is proving a nuisance to Child Services and the authorities with his stubborn search for his lost mother. However, in his latest foster home, Billy makes a new friend, Freddy, and finds himself selected by the Wizard Shazam to be his new champion. Now endowed with the ability to instantly become an adult superhero by speaking the wizard's name, Billy gleefully explores his new powers with Freddy. However, Billy soon learns that he has a deadly enemy, Dr. Thaddeus Sivana, who was previously rejected by the wizard and has accepted the power of the Seven Deadly Sins instead. Now pursued by this mad scientist for his own power as well, Billy must face up to the responsibilities of his calling while learning the power of a special magic with his true family that Sivana can never understand.

## Cast

* Asher Angel as Billy Batson
	+ Zachary Levi as Captain Marvel
* Mark Strong as Dr. Thaddeus Sivana
* Jack Dylan Grazer as Freddy Freeman
	+ Adam Brody as King Marvel
* Grace Fulton as Mary Bromfield
	+ Michelle Borth as Lady Marvel
* Faithe Herman as Darla Dudley
	+ Meagan Good as Mistress Marvel
* Jovan Armand as Pedro Pena
	+ D.J. Cotrona as Mister Marvel
* Ian Chen as Eugene Choi
	+ Ross Butler as Doctor Marvel
* Djimon Hounsou as Shazam/The Wizard
* Cooper Andrews as Victor Vasquez
* Marta Milans as Rosa Vasquez

## Reception

*Shazam!* received positive reviews from critics and audiences. "*Shazam!* manages to capture the feeling of being a kid with powers, while also learning the aspect of 'with great power comes great responsibility' and family. As well as punching bad guys in the face, which is great too." Many praised it for its performances, writing, themes, Sandberg's direction, and tone. Some compared it to, in terms of tone, the Sam Raimi *Spider-Man* films.

## Trivia

* In early drafts of the script, the names of the Marvel Family weren't mentioned at all, due to the legal issues with Marvel (although, the running gag of Captain Marvel not having a name did end up in the final product, but just having a punchline instead of a loose end). Henry Gayden wanted to use names for the characters though (instead of just Shazam being used), so he used generic names for each member (Ubermensch, Super-Guy, Lady Wonder, Amazo-Gal, Monster, and Bolt) but Sandberg thought that nobody would take it seriously, and would "be too stupid, even for kids". New Line, WB, and DC eventually set up a meeting with Bob Iger and Kevin Feige to see if they can use the name Captain Marvel and each respected name of the Marvel family. They eventually came to a deal with Captain Marvel only being used within the films (whether that be in the Shazam! franchise or otherwise) and can't use the name on merchandise, as the title, or in any advertisements. So, eventually, Captain Marvel and the Marvel family could finally be used.
* Black Adam was meant to have a cameo, but it was eventually nixed because Gayden and Sandberg just wanted to focus on this story instead.
* Superman was also meant to have a cameo, but Henry Cavill was busy filming *The Witcher*, so they just used his stunt double instead.
* Hailee Steinfeld was considered for Mary Bromfield but Sandberg wanted a smaller name and went with Grace Fulton (who he had worked on *Annabelle: Creation* with).
* The Annabelle doll makes a cameo in this and in *Aquaman*.