Scripter Says, "Shazam Movie is Dead!"

John August, the Shazam screenwriter sent word on his blog that "Billy Batson and the Legend of Shazam" is done.

Here's a bit from the blog:

"By the time I got back [from travel to France], the project was dead. By 'dead,' I mean that it won’t be happening. I don’t think it’s on the studio’s radar at all. It may come back in another incarnation, with another writer, but I can say with considerable certainty that it won’t be the version I developed."

"Yes, that sucks. And obviously, I can only share my interpretation of what transpired. There were dozens of meetings and phone calls in which I had no participation. As a reader, you should certainly consider the possibility that I wrote shitty scripts they simply didn’t want to make. Because Warners controls copyright on them, I can’t put them in the Library for you to read yourself. So you have to decide whether to take my word on it."

Check out the source link to hear in detail how the stupid studio suits dropped the ball on this one.

ComicBookMovie
1/6/2009
August's Blog

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53 Comments

	Damn, I was really excited to see Dwayne Johnson as Black Adam. shibazz - 1/6/2009, 12:11 PM
	NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! SHA.....zam...... saintc - 1/6/2009, 12:13 PM
	Damn you CBM. You beat me to it. You obviously type faster than I. Oh well, mine's in the News section as well. Nothing like double headlines about the same article. Now I know it's a terribly slow news week, i'm doing news about freakin' Captain Marvel. Oh well. Yea, I was also looking for to Dwayne playing Black Adam, I think he definitely has the look and would have done a decent job. IonParallax - 1/6/2009, 12:14 PM
	Really....this movie seemed to have some potential for something decent. Oh well. TheUnknown - 1/6/2009, 12:14 PM
	It will happen eventually. I'd say around 2014 or so. IonParallax - 1/6/2009, 12:15 PM
	As long as movies Survive the potential disasters of 2012. Can't forget about that. Luckily, there's tons of good movies coming out before then. SWEET! IonParallax - 1/6/2009, 12:16 PM
	I don't know how to take this - I'm a HUGE fan of 'the Big Red Cheese'. I heard this movie was going to be 'light-hearted' and 'in the original spirit' of the comic (whatever the hell that means). I'm thinking talking tigers, eyeglass-wearing worms, goofy no-power wannabe uncles, you know... the kind that SUCKS!!!! If that's true, killing it could be a total blessing! Give me a movie that does SERIOUS justice to the character - one about a boy suddenly endowed with the power of the gods, his struggles to come to terms with those powers and find his place in the world (a REALISTIC one!). In other words, don't F#CK THIS UP! loganoneil - 1/6/2009, 12:35 PM
	YUP, 2012 WERE ALL DEAD.BIBLE SAID IT,EGYPTIANS, MAYANS,NOSTRADAMAS..UGH GUNSMITH - 1/6/2009, 12:45 PM
	I was really dissappionted to hear I'm going to have to wait to see this movie for a while longer, but agree that I'm glad they decided not to move forward with the "lighthearted" story that John August had eluded to. I love the character, but honestly lose interest when talk of supporting characters like "Talky Tawney", or "Hoppy the Marvel Bunny" are involved. (Someone shoot me) I hope they decide to do the character true justice. adamant877 - 1/6/2009, 12:49 PM
	Sorry ION. You gotta be quick to beat me! ComicBookMovie - 1/6/2009, 12:49 PM
	Apparently so. Next time sir, I shall. IonParallax - 1/6/2009, 12:59 PM
	You know i was going to mention dec 21, 2012 as well. That is the actually date according to the History Channels more recent show on NOSTRADAMAS that aired this past wkd. No Shazam! Spock - 1/6/2009, 1:03 PM
	Nostradamus, Mayans, Merlin, Edgar Cayce, I Ching etc. IonParallax - 1/6/2009, 1:28 PM
	the bible isn't the most credible source gunsmith fotc - 1/6/2009, 1:35 PM
	Well guys, i said it time and time again. This time they figured it out before blowing chunks at the box office. Way to save a buck WB! The whole "host/two different actors" for the same role just doesn't "fly". Sure the idea can "leap tall buildings" with fans of the character but for non-fans = Punisher war zone all over again. R.I.P. Come back as the crow to avaenge your death by killing WB. Shaman - 1/6/2009, 2:26 PM
	I've done a lot of reading on 12/21/2012 myself. Its kinda scary but at the same time Im optimistic that it may be as some predict a day of evolution. An end of life as we know it. It is said that we are capable of things far beyond what our minds allow us to achieve. Maybe a major breakthrough will occur on that day and human evolution will once again occur. Monkeys, Humans, Mutants? :D Sorry...I had to do it. KingWill - 1/6/2009, 3:57 PM
	cant say im too disapointed..i was never a fan of the man/boy! But any adaptation that doesnt get made can never be good for us fans i guess...unless its the spirit. shudder Rorschach01 - 1/6/2009, 3:59 PM
	NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO TheSoulEater - 1/6/2009, 5:43 PM
	Ahem... sorry TheSoulEater - 1/6/2009, 5:43 PM
	I've actually got a trip planned to Stonehenge on 12/21/12, in the hopes that i'll be given Superpowers!!! And i know....i should be goin to Mexico, but Stonehenge just seemed so much cooler!!! ...and yes I'm serious, and no i'm not 12, i'm 28! :-D Talontd - 1/6/2009, 7:57 PM
	Oh yea, THIS SUCKS, that movie sounded cool. Talontd - 1/6/2009, 7:58 PM
	No, the Mayan's didn't say anything, they simply stopped making a calender, because it was so incredibly far away, why worry about it right now. The Bible doesn't say it, it is just someone looking for the Bible to say it. Nostradamus was a douche-bag who made all of his predictions vague but with enough detail so that they might be considered true How about on 12/22/12 you all give me ten bucks? BuckyB7588 - 1/6/2009, 9:23 PM
	I'll take some of that action TheSoulEater - 1/7/2009, 12:05 AM
	Warner Bros. scrapping another project before it really gets off the ground? Oh, Big surprise there... at least it'll have company with the Teen Titans DTDVD, Wonder Woman live-action and Justice League. WeaponX - 1/7/2009, 1:13 AM
	no surprise here grif - 1/7/2009, 3:10 AM
	Wow. By the Looks of it, I'm the only one not looking forward to a Shazam! movie. I hate the character, ALOT. And I seriously just met the first group of people to actually not agree with me on that one, and its u guys, lol. Oh well. TheMyth - 1/7/2009, 6:45 AM
	I'm not a big Cap Marvel fan either, but I'm a little upset about this one. Not because they shelving it for a while, but for the REASON they're shelving it. From the info I read, they want to make the character (here we go again!) ... darker. I hope that DC doesn't think darker takes on their characters is whats going to make them money... Oh wait... IT WILL!!! You know, movies like Sin City and The Dark Knight are unbelieveably awesome, but what happens when every superhero is Batman. What I mean is, there is no reason certain characters should be "darker". Now, I agree that someone like Supes should get a grittier take, but Shazam? He's a kid who gets god-like powers, who has to play up his moral sensibility to hide his insecurities all while trying to save the world and yada yada... deep story... make it what it is. Don't try to overly darken the character, which I have a feeling will be the trend for most adaptations coming down the pike. As for 2012, I've been into the Mayan long count for a few years now, and from what I've gathered, 12/21/12 is more of a transitional date between Mayan eras. That being said, they do predict that something will happen, although no one knows what. My theory? It seems that we've had the slightest variation of magnetic pole variation in the past few years, according to some reports. Add that to the astronomical occurences of that year, and I seriously think we may have a magnetic pole shift (north to south, or somewhere in between). Its happened many times in the planets history, and could happen again. version4 - 1/7/2009, 8:11 AM
	If you read my statement, i'm on the same boat as you Myth. The character of Captain Marvel is a watered down version of Superman. I hate the concept of a "kid" to become a "man" with super powers. It just sucks. The only way this movie would sell is if it's done by Nickleodeon and geared towards a very young audience. Thing is, us comic book fans are now pretty much all in our 20ies and above so it just can't be that good of a movie. Kids nowadays are more into "kids getting powers" than "kids becoming men with powers". It just won't sell at all. Shaman - 1/7/2009, 8:16 AM
	I agree, Shaman.... maybe they need to do a kind of " Hannah Montana with testicles" type of movie. I think Marvel is geared more towards kids, anyway. He IS a watered down version of Supes. His story has always reminded me more of a mystical Aladdin type story. I mean, how dark can you make Billy Batson? not much at all. I mean, lose the Marvel family and its STILL not a movie for grownups... now tweeners will love the concept! version4 - 1/7/2009, 9:04 AM
	And as for 2012, i'll only make one comment and one comment alone! The only thing that will happen in 2012 is the end of the interdimentionnal transition we are experiencing right at the moment. The only thing that will happen by this shift which has gradually started in 2008 is that we will become a more "spiritual" society than a "material" one. Our very views and opinions will change on every single matter. We are all using our intuition more than inspirations or opinions of others as a majority. People we found less attractive physically will now be perceived spiritually. Some people have already begun to feel this including myself. Physically attractive people that actually have a bad personnality are becoming less and less attractive where as less popular people with an exampliary personnality are becoming more and more attractive. Conflicts are being resolved in a more peaceful manner not because we now prefer peace but that we just don't see any logical reason to spend our energy on making an effort to be harmful. People in general are becoming less and less judgemental and more open minded. Granted some are still very stuck on their old views and getting angry but that very fact is proof that my statement is true. They notice how people are more open minded and it gets them irritated to be the only ones sticking to the old ways. But these people will become agravated to a point where they will actually realise how tired they get just by holding on to their old beliefs and they will let it go eventually or else they will die of a heart attack...literally. Some people will also find it odd to go to bed angry but waking up with a different point of view in mind. Haven't you guys felt that this year has passed within the blink of an eye? Back in the day, time was perceived differently because perception was relative. It depended on if you enjoyed the time you actually spent. Today, everyone has noticed time going by way faster than usual even if they don't enjoy thier jobs or occupations. It will settle down as the shift will end in 2012. All this was foretold in the Kryon books. No it's not a cult or sect asking for our worship and money, it's just an entity speeking of love, acceptance and self worshiping through a host named Lee Carrol. Look up their web site to read all the channelings for free if your interested: http://www.kryon.com/k_25.html If your not interested, it doesn't matter, the shift is happening wether you want it or not. It's just cool to read up on it. And if any of you are sceptic in any way, how do you explain Barak Obama? He has not been elected for the color of his skin, he was elected for the message of the new wave he brings with him and the new majority connects with those views more and more than with McCain's old ways. The following is a revelation that I bring to you all. He will not be assassinated. Granted a few will probably try however they will fail and in their faillure, they will see that Barak hasn't stoped fixing the country while they were trying to assassinate him and they will give up spending all that energy on this single target and realise all the good he has done. That good will take the place of their hatred of his skin. Their eye's will open to the brand new world that will become ours in 2012. The middle east conflict will get resolved and Africa will rise as a Nation as well. Just wait and see. The Shaman has spoken! Shaman - 1/7/2009, 9:10 AM
	LMAO, Sahman your the shit. That is exactly what Shazam is, a watered-down Supes, and that is the good part. There is nothing cool about a skinny little dork who somehow is bestowed great, very Superman-like powers. Now I don't know much about this character, but this is why. He is so cheap, unoriginal, and very cheesy, hoaky even. I remember being 9years old and thinkin this guy was a loser. I'm a little boy who says Shazam! and I turn into superman with a lightning bolt on my chest instead of an S. No offense to any of my fellow comic fans, but its characters like this why I prefer to collect Marvel over DC. Don't get me wrong, I have a few DC toons I love, like Bats, the Flash, and even a small affinity for Green Lantern. And Marvel has had a few stinkers too, so I'm not tryin to be a prick. And of all the 2012 stuff you guys have shot back and forth, Shaman has hit the nail on the head. Shaman, sometimes I swear that you hafta be someone I know in the real world. Other than Comics and online gaming(Warcraft and EVE), theology and apocolypse theories are another hobby of mine. Almost all of the serious research you will find on 2012 will point you to the more realistic change that is meant to come. And it is a 'spiritual' one. Now when I say spiritual, I don't mean everyone is suddenly gonna acknowledge the existence of a supreme being, I mean a period of enlightenment. The end of an Era. And many of the scholars believe it to be a positive change, not meteors falling, WW3, nuclear winter and all that. I don't feel like going into it really, but don't forget that all this is based on an event that has YET TO HAPPEN, and if there is only 1 thing I've learned in my 26 years on this planet(and my 33 on mars, joking), its this: The only dependable thing about the future is uncertainty. So do yourselves a favor and don't work yourselves up to much. Earth will be here til the sun burns out, and by then we will have moved on(I hope). As for the Obama connection to this upheaval, people could have sat back and proposed the same thing during the Civil Rights movment, or the Civil War, or the founding of our country. Point is, every generation deals with its own dramatic social change, and getting the first black president is ours, that simple(I voted for him btw). And in this modern age, Presidents don't get assassinated unless the rest of the government lets it happen. Yes I'm also a conspiracy theorist. Bush did 9/11 and don't let anyone say different. I swear if someone disputes that one i will spend the next month filling this website with all the evidence. Damn, I'm gettin carried away. Shazam sucks, we will survive 2012, and Bush is a terrorist. 'Nuff said. TheMyth - 1/7/2009, 9:41 AM
	Oh yeah! And Version4, Shazam is not a Marvel character. Never has been. TheMyth - 1/7/2009, 9:43 AM
	No, I was refering to him as in Captain Marvel... same guy, different copyright issues... essentially Billy batson is the dude playing the dude thats copyrighted as another dude! version4 - 1/7/2009, 9:50 AM
	All i can say is thank you myth, on every point you brought! Shaman - 1/7/2009, 9:52 AM
	lol oh my bad Version4. TheMyth - 1/7/2009, 9:56 AM
	Man is it just me or is there something wrong with the site. I can't access half the articles. Keeps giving some crazy webpage error i've never seen before. Is it just me? TheMyth - 1/7/2009, 10:02 AM
	Nope, happening to me too. I think it's because they are trying to input the "add" programs for fansites. Shaman - 1/7/2009, 10:26 AM
	Cool, just makin sure my stuff ain't buggin out. Thanks for reply. TheMyth - 1/7/2009, 10:33 AM
	No prob, it's not like i have any other interesting articles to read LOL. Shaman - 1/7/2009, 10:39 AM
	Sounds like a MERCY kill Sonny - 1/7/2009, 12:41 PM
	I have to disgree with you Shaman on your assesment of Cap being a watered down version of Superman. While their powers are similar, Captain Marvel's character arc is different in that Billie is just a boy suddenly thrust in role of a man endowed with the power of gods, whereas Kal has already gone through the trails of 'growing up' (puberty, slowing learning to deal with those powers, etc.). But keep in mind - BILLY BATSON IS STILL JUST A KID! How he learns to deal with those powers and how he looks at the world is more dramatic because his whole world changes (literally) in the blink of an eye! In addition, in many respects he's more of a 'boy scout' than Superman is because Billy still looks at the world though the eyes of a child and views most things in either 'black' or 'white'. He hasn't learned that most of the world is painted in shades of grey. Most (if any) news children hear about is filtered through various methods (parents, teachers, etc.), so they get a relatively safe, sanitized version of the world. Now what happens to a child's perspective when those filters are removed and the child is allowed to see the horror of the 'REAL' world (crime, starvation, war, natural desasters, etc.)? What would that do to a child? How would a child cope with the full force of that 'reality'? Now give that child god-like powers and the ability to alter their environment as they see fit - what would that child do? Would they try to tackle such an enormous task as changing the entire world on their own simply because they didn't know any better? Still sound like a 'watered down version of Superman'? I think (if done RIGHT) this would be a kick-ass movie. You could even have a cross-over (somthing that Marvel's been great at, but DC/WB's sucked at!). Obviously Billy is going to need someone to talk to when he gets overwhelmed in the task of 'trying to save the world' - someone who can kinda' relate to his situation. Someone who's 'been there, done that'. Let's face it, Shazam can only offer advice. So who does Billy turn to? Cameo - 'The Big Blue Schoolboy'. Just imagine: Captain Marvel and Superman 'chewing the fat' on top of say, the Daily Planet. Gets me all goose-pimplie just thinking about it... loganoneil - 1/7/2009, 12:52 PM
	I totally understand your fondness of the concept behind the character loganoneil but the "philosophical" aspect of that character cannot sell to the masses. People in general do not connect to that. And i for one do not want to see a full grown man crying because he can't handle the presure that a "grown up" superhero has to endure even though deep down, he's just eight years old. It's a childish way to see a superhero. Grown up adults in general will not connect to that. It would be the same concept with THOR IF Donald Blake would not be the host of the God of Thunder, just have his powers (which he didn't ask for) all while being a flimsy psychologicaly unstable wuss of a man and be resposible for the safety of the realm. We want to see someone of great power defend us to his last breath by being at least able to hold his own in battle. Captain Marvel's concept wouldn't even sell to kids because all they would see is a grown up not being as confident as Superman. They wouldn't understand the philosophy behind the character, they won't see that he's just a kid even though they clearly saw the kid transform into that man. They won't "compute" the connection. They have a better chance of connect to someone like BEN10 which they do as it was proven. Shaman - 1/7/2009, 1:53 PM
	I think this is another 'agree to disagree' point - I say that the masses are hungry for more-developed superheros. The philosophical aspects will sell to adults who want to see a fleshed-out characters with a full range of emotion (NO, Captain Marvel will not 'cry' on Superman's shoulder, but it would be cool to see them talking as 'equals', so to speak). Why do you think a movie like 'Dark Knight' was such a huge hit? High drama and three-dimensional characters interacting in a REAL world. Why did Robert Downey Jr. have a problem with DK (other than he was starring in its competition)? It was too philisophical... too deep - he said he couldn't understand it, yet it was one of the highest grossing movies EVER!. People love a little philosophy - it helps balance out the action and prevents the movie from becoming just another visual asault (like 'Punisher - War Zone'). Kids would see the film simply because the 'Big Red Cheese' epitomizes the childhood wish of being a superhero. What kid doesn't dream of saying a word and being magically transformed into an adult? Suddenly they're a grown-up and to top it off, they can fly! I still say done RIGHT, this movie would kick ass. loganoneil - 1/7/2009, 2:15 PM
	Well dude, just take Tom Hanks in "BIG" and give him a cape. Because that's exactly what it would look like. The thing is that what would actually make Captain Marvel sell is the concept of "initiation". You're idea BTW is a great one loganoneil. If he was "with" another hero such as Superman or the whole Justice League, THAT would sell the concept of the character, but he can't do it solo in a stand alone movie. And that's what i like about this idea, Captain Marvel should be the "main" new addition to JLA in the second movie (after they have well established the team in the first one). He would have nothing less than "Earth's Mightiest" as mentors to show him the ropes. Not only that but he would be their only hope as they would all fall into a trap and would need Billy to save them! Now that's depth!!! That would not only totally sell but make the character incredibily interesting and not to mention very important. Throw in an existancial debate in there having billy think he's not important since JLA already has Superman... and SHAZAM!!! Success! Shaman - 1/7/2009, 2:35 PM
	I still say he's 'big' (no pun intended) enough to support his own feature film, but you might be on to something for a JLA feature. Hmmmmm.... do I smell a possible new entry for 'My Secret Identy Picks'? Call it, "Justice League - Earth's Mightiest" loganoneil - 1/7/2009, 3:15 PM
	too bad so many ppl around here diss classic golden age stuff, characters like cpt marvel and the spirit deserve better. cmon, tell me you wouldn't want to see a plastic man movie. Submarijuaner - 1/7/2009, 10:12 PM
	Loganoneil- That could very well be a possible upcoming editorial :) Submarijuaner- I guess that's why you have "marijuana" in your user name cause plastic man is the LAST character i want to see on the big screen! I'd go see a "Rainbow Bright" live action movie with Lindsey Lohan before i'd go see plastic man!!! Shaman - 1/8/2009, 8:45 AM
	Actually a plastic man CAMEO in the first JL movie or its sequel would be a nice tribute to his late creator i think ;-] , but general public will say: hey they copied Mr Fantastic with this guy, and they would say the same thing about Shazam-Supes SirJediFrank - 1/8/2009, 9:45 AM
	Captain Marvel has always been hard to swallow. Lets take a page from The Marvel family show and make Billy a guy in his late teens or early twenties. even superman is a copy of at least a dozen earlier golden age superheroes hes just the only one still around. Captain marvel as a Tv movie done right would bee cool to see. Batzarro - 1/8/2009, 10:01 AM
	Hey Version: i dont know if the topic goes along with CBM rules, but why don´t you start a 2012-FAN SITE?? Maybe you could share your research with us and maybe discuss how every comic book hero would deal with a Milestone like that, what do you think? Shaman you have very interesting arguments about 2012 -especially since you are aware of the Middle-East long OLD existings problems-, but well YOU said you won´t be talking more about it! ;-] SirJediFrank - 1/8/2009, 10:06 AM
	Shaman - if I may make a suggestion (IF you're going to do the editorial), use Black Adam as the heavy. He's Marvel's arch-nemisis and a perfect foil to the JLA (being Captain Marvel's equal and the only one who can go toe-to-toe with both 'The Big Red Cheese' AND 'The Big Blue Schoolboy' strength-wise). You could have him steal the Sword of Hephaestus from the Amazons (the one that can '...shave the electrons off of an atom...' in 'Kingdom Come') to use agaist Superman (remember, it DID cut him) and the lot. 'Big Blue' has never been good against magic, and trying to fight both Adam's lighting bolts AND the sword would definately put a crimp in his cape. If Adam wounds Supes and the rest, it would set up the 'Ultimate Showdown' you spoke of. Plus, the theft would set the Amazons against Billy (guilt by association - they've tended to be a somewhat paranoid bunch), forcing him to try and regain THEIR trust (on top of ereything else). Haven't figured out the angle on WHY Billy would need the Amazon's help (maybe trying to get something to counteract the sword), I'm still working on that. Just a suggestion... loganoneil - 1/8/2009, 12:56 PM
	Well jedi frank, the reason why i don't want to comment too much on 2012 is because this isn't the place for it and it fuels too much anger for nothing. On that subject, there are too many extremists on each side of the curbs to talk about it in a civilised fashion. I know exactly what's gonna happen because it's already started and my job isn't to change people's minds because in the end, they'll believe what they want. Loganoneil, that is a very very interesting storyline. Why don't you create a Shazam fansite and that could be your first article, what do you think? It's not that i don't want to use it, but i'm not a thief either, get what i'm saying? So if you don't feel up to it, then i'll glady put it on the list of requests :)) Shaman - 1/8/2009, 6:56 PM
	thank god, i mean, what would they have called it? Godl1ng - 1/25/2009, 4:39 AM

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