‘Shazam’ Director Opts for Two Actors Over De-Aging Technology

DC's mystical superhero Shazam transforms from a young boy to a beefed-up adult. For his first solo movie outing, Shazam will honor the same tradition by having two different actors, rather than to follow the current trend of de-aging actors.

This decision is confirmed by David F. Sandberg, who is taking the helm for the "Shazam" project. In his interview with Collider, he stated that de-aging an actor to play both roles of the young Billy Baston and the mighty Shazam would be a hassle. Sandberg, who also directed the horror flick "Annabelle," added that having both a kid and an adult to play the parts will be the best way to deliver the story.

"Shazam" avoiding the de-aging route also deviates the DC title from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As recalled by SlashFilm, three of MCU's recent titles use the de-aging technology for some of its characters. 2015's "Ant-Man" showed a younger Michael Douglas showing his resignation from the early incarnation of S.H.I.E.L.D., while 2016's "Captain America: Civil War" had Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark recall his last time with his parents, youthful face and all. More recently, a de-aged Kurt Russell was seen in the opening scene of 2017's "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2."

Originally known as "Captain Marvel" before losing the rights to the name to Marvel Comics, Shazam is the superpower persona of Billy Baston. After receiving the Living Lightning from a wizard, Baston transforms into the superhero by shouting "Shazam." He then receives several powers like the Wisdom of Solomon, Strength of Hercules, the Stamina of Atlas, the Power of Zeus, the Courage of Achilles and the Speed of Mercury.

As with most superheroes in the DC universe, Shazam's main adversary is Black Adam, who is a prince that was given the same powers as Shazam at one point. In the upcoming movie, the character will be brought to life by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

Shazam's lightning will arrive in theaters in April 2019.

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