Movie Exec Says Shazam Will Be “Fun.” Somewhere, Superman Is Crying.

Not gonna lie, this is a huge relief.

Just yesterday news broke of Dwayne Johnson (aka The Rock) taking on the “bad guy” role of Black Adam in Warner Bros.’ Shazam film. I think it’s safe for me to say a lot of comic book fans don’t like the overall serious tone of the DC Comics films, which is why none of us where surprised to hear the “no jokes” rumor last week. With Johnson cast as Black Adam rather than the 12-year-old-in-the-body-of-an-adult Shazam, it seemed even less likely the film would have a lighter, family-friendly feel to it.

Entertainment Weekly spoke to Toby Emmerich, president of New Line (the Warner Bros. subsidiary that is producing the film), who said of the in-progress film: “It feels to me like Shazam will have a tone unto itself. It’s a DC comic, but it’s not a Justice League character, and it’s not a Marvel comic. The tone and the feeling of the movie will be different from the other range of comic book movies.”

Not sure exactly what he’s getting at with “it’s not a Justice League character, and it’s not a Marvel comic,” but I’m going to wager their Justice League film will be closer in line with Man of Steel considering Zack Snyder’s involvement. Though they’d all do well with remembering Marvel films do well, and it can’t hurt to follow in their steps just a bit.

He went on to say Shazam would “have a sense of fun and a sense of humor. But the stakes have to be real.” Does this change your opinion on the film?

(image by Mike Norton from Billy Batson and the Magic of SHAZAM! #20)

Previously in DC Comics

• Gail Simone Triumphantly Returns To Creep Us All Out With A New Secret Six Series At DC Comics
• A Young Adult Novel Starring Lois Lane Will Be Published Next Spring
• Lynda Carter And The Ladies Behind The Latest Wonder Woman Comic Talk Gal Gadot

Are you following The Mary Sue on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, & Google +?