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Peter Segal

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

erwin jackson said...

I was born in '33 and Captain Marvel was my favorite hero. Hollywood did a serial on him starring the old cowboy actor Tom Tyler. It kept me on the edge of my seat every Sat afternoon. I sincerely hope Shazam is a class act. It sure deserves it. It's taken a long time. We never see Captain Marvel in the book stores. There's Batman and Superman but no Captain Marvel, so bring it on and make it a good movie at least as good as the first Superman Posted on Sep 24 2009 09:49

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David Hustler said...

In case any Captain Marvel fans are interested I have posted a 1946 Captain Marvel Rocket Ranger Compass Ring on ebay. Posted on Aug 29 2009 15:53

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Reggie Burgoyne said...

Please don’t screw it up .With all the computer graphics they you should be able to duplicate what they did in the comic book ,… Posted on Aug 16 2009 23:50

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Marvin M said...

It was Atlas not Aries that was part of hazam. "Shazam" was given to him in an deserted subway station. When is the movie coming out. It's about time. Posted on Aug 16 2009 21:16

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Marvin M said...

It Is the stamina of Atlas that is part of Shazam. "Shazam" was given to Billy Batson in an old subway station. When is the movie coming out because it is about time. Posted on Aug 16 2009 21:13

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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...

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

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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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