The Rock Says...Shazam?

It has officially been announced that Duane "The Rock" Johnson is first in line to play Captain Marvel in the upcoming movie, Shazam. Many comic book and wrestling fans will finally have something to talk to each other about.

The screenplay is currently being written for the movie, but the producers are already working on trying to attach as many big names to the project as possible. During an interview that was posted on SciFi.com, the Rock has been approached about playing the staring role, and has accepted.

The movie is being planned for a 2008 release, and is being written by John August, William Golman, and Bryan Goluboff. Between these three men, movies such as Corpse Bride, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Misery, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and The Basketball Diaries have all come into fruition.

The director has not been announced as of the writing of this article. With the success of superhero films over the last few decades, it is expected that a director that is well known will be brought in for the project.

It is interesting that Captain Marvel was chosen for a movie because of the lack of knowledge that many current comic book readers have of the character. With movies being written about the Green Lantern, the Hulk, Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, it is interesting that a film studio would be interested in producing a movie about a character that many might say is a fairly obscure hero. This is a good reason for attempting to add big names early to the project.

Captain Marvel was commonly referred to by the word that Billy Batson would use to turn into Captain Marvel, which is, "Shazam." Marvel comics came out with a character with the same name after DC comic let the trademark slip into their hands. DC would then have Captain Marvel referred to as Shazam in the comics for many years to avoid infringement.

Shazam is actually the 9,000-year-old wizard that granted the powers of a superhero to teenager Billy Batson. His name was an acronym for six gods and heroes of the ancient world, and their abilities.

Whenever Billy Batson would change into Captain Marvel, he would call for the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, Atlas's stamina, Zeus's immense power, the courage of Achilles, and the speed of the god Mercury. It was much easier to just yell, "Shazam!"

While the Rock has made multiple comments that he is not interested in returning to wrestling, many wrestling fans will at least get part of what they wanted. These fans will have the chance to see the Rock fight bad guys in tights once again.

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