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Captain Marvel movie in the works
'Anger Management' director Peter Segal will helm the comic book adaptation 'Shazam!'
Apr 13 2006
When I was a kid, and ever so slightly obsessed with 'Superman' and 'Batman', my dad used to go on and on about Captain Marvel, saying the 'Man of Steel' and the 'Caped Crusader' were no match for 'The World's Mightiest Mortal'.
Having no idea who Captain Marvel was, I rubbished his claims, but now it seems we'll all get to find out if Tilly senior was correct as production is soon set to start on the Captain's first major movie project, 'Shazam!'
For those not in the know, Captain Marvel was created by Bill Parker and CC Beck in 1939, and went on to become the most popular comic book character of the 1940s, outselling even Superman during the decade.
The story revolves around Billy Batson, a 15-year-old newsboy who is granted special powers by an ancient Egyptian wizard.
Whenever Billy utters the acronym 'Shazam!', he is struck by a magical bolt of lightning and gains the abilities of six mythological figures: the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Aries, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles and the speed of Mercury.
His adversaries include Dr Sivana and Black Adam, although during the war years his major enemy was the dastardly Captain Nazi.
Peter Segal, who directed 'Anger Management' and '50 First Dates', will helm the feature, and while he may not be the most obvious candidate for a superhero action pic, he nevertheless seems enthusiastic about the project.
'I've been a fan of Captain Marvel since I was a kid' he told Variety. 'This has elements of 'Big' and 'Superman', and will be a completely different kind of superhero.'
Mr Segal, here at The TOMB we wish you all the luck in the world with the project, but be warned, if you screw up 'Shazam!' in any way, shape or form, I'll get my dad on you.
User comments on this story
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- Bill said...
- I'm 72, and Captain Marvel was my absolute favorite followed by Batman and Superman. When they made the 2nd Superman movie, and those that followed, with Chris Reeve, they destroyed him. The latest movies restored Batman and Superman. Please, please, please don't make Captain Marvel into a cheap character like he's been under DC Comics. I want to see an adventure, not some vain attempt at creating belly-laughs. Popeye? Yeah, funny. Superheros? No. Posted on Jun 16 2009 02:59
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- Reggie Burgoyne said...
- I have been waiting for 40 years for some one to make a MOVIE about Captain Marvel. Why hasn,t it been done. Posted on May 06 2009 20:27
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- tony z said...
- mr. segal: it's the stamina of "Atlas" not aries(god of war). Posted on Mar 23 2009 23:56
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- don dutcher said...
- I've been waiting for Warburton as Capt Marvel and have seen most of my older heroes -but not him yet. Will it happen? anything better than Watchmen. Posted on Mar 04 2009 22:11
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- serman said...
- I have always been a Captain Marvel and Marvel Family fan since the late 1940's. Bring the movie on I can't wait to see it!!!! Posted on Feb 02 2009 21:53
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- real fan said...
- I am a fan of Captain Marvel and the entire marvel fanily. I was also a fan of the entire line of Fawcett characters. Please make the movie and let me know when it opens. Posted on Dec 11 2008 05:07
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- Clay said...
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I don't think this movie will be any good, because DC comics which sewed Faucett comics, has been trying to justify it's self, by making Captain Marvel's manorism as well as the caracter look and fly and act like Superman.
Don't take my word for it just look at the comics published by DC comics. Captain Marvel will never be a sucess while owned by DC comics. Even the TV series sucks! Posted on Nov 12 2008 01:17 - Report as inappropriate
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- db said...
- I would love to see a shazam film after the big disappointment of superman returns it would be a nice change.hope they don't screw up this movie too9 Posted on Oct 07 2008 16:16
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- Duncan Beach said...
- The reason 'Shazam' was used for the title is that Marvel Comics (no surprise) already had a comic out at the time with the title 'Captain Marvel'. Evidently the mighty DC, legendary bringer of lawsuits, didn't want a suit brought against itself. Posted on Sep 07 2008 05:18
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- nn said...
- Patrick Warburton, it has to be him! Posted on Feb 04 2008 13:48
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- walter sidor said...
- I'm 62 yrs. young & the CAP has been my super-hero all of my growing up years. I've told my sons"before I die, please God let me see CAPTAIN MARVEL on the silver screen & hear & see the clap of thunder as he changes idenities.Please do not make a mockery of my hero in a silly movie..but as captain marvel (my hero,)THE WORLD'S MIGHEST MORTAL. Solomon,Hercules,Atlas,Zeus,Achilles, Mercury. SHAZAM Posted on Jan 21 2008 21:25
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- Luke said...
- I'm looking forward to this movie quite a bit and have even heard rumors that "The Rock" will be playing Black Adam. That would be cool, especially the pointy ears. If anyone is interested in seeing a cool twist on Captain Marvel, they should check out "Kingdom Come", a limited edition comic series that DC put out in the late 90's. The artwork by Alex Ross is incredible. You can probably find all 4 issues in one book at any comic shop, or even check your library's graphic novel section, if it has one. As for Cap vs. Superman, which one is stronger, I would say they are pretty evenly matched, except that Cap's powers are magic based and the Man of Steel is more susceptable to magic, giving cap an edge. Posted on Jan 13 2008 16:01
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- Bob said...
- Make sure Patrick Stewart has a role in this production Posted on Jan 04 2008 00:00
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- Kelly Powers said...
- I still think Patrick Wardburton should play Captain Marvel! Posted on Dec 26 2007 17:12
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- Digital-Ed said...
- Atlas, not Aries. Other sites are misreporting this "fact" as well. Posted on Nov 05 2007 04:47
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