Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Program

I've been very neglectfull of my blog since I started working on my final portfolio for school. The portfolio is looking good, and almost finish. Almost. Of course, a portfolio is never finished, only abandoned until yoru next great idea.

"Shazam!" Or "Golmer Pyle's favorite comic book get's a movie."

Despite being in development for well-over a year, I thought it was still important to give the Shazam! movie some shine.

For those with no clue who this Superman look-a-like is, I'll provide a brief synopsis:

Captain Marvel, was created to tap the adolescent fantasy of being Superman. By speaking the name of the wizard, Shazam, child reporter (& orphan), Billy Batson was transformed by a bolt of lightning into the white caped superheroe we know today. He was imbued with the powers of 7 Gods: Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury. Oh, and the names of all these Gods spelled out Shazam. I know Solomon wasn't a God, but what can you do, it was the 40's.

Despite being what some have labeled a retarded Superman, the character actually outsold Superman in the 40's. Further, Captain Marvel's spinoff characters, Mary Marvel, and Captain Marvel Jr., inspired Supergirl and Superboy respectively. Captain Marvel Jr. was Elvis's favorite comic, and the inspiration for his hairstyle.

Oh, and Captain Marvel was flying back when Superman could only leap tall buildings.

Tired of being disgraced by a ripoff of their original character, the owners of Superman, DC Comics, sued the owner of Captain Marvel at the time, Fawcett, and eventually won the rights to the character. In the meantime the character was stuck in limbo, another company by the name of Marvel Comics created their own Captain Marvel character, and took all the rights to use the name in any titles or advertising.

So now, anything starring the original Captain Marvel has the name "Shazam!" tagged on the cover.

Ok, enough of that stuff. The movie is scheduled for release next year, with the script focusing on young Billy Batson's strained friendship after receiving super powers. You know, it's that whole "how will our friendship survive now that we aren't on the same level" thing. It's rumored that Jake Gyllenhall may play Captain Marvel, but talks are currently surrounding The Rock, and Brandon Molale. Actor, Fred MacMurray, was the original inspiration for the character. Personally, I'm leaning towards The Rock. Dakota Fanning can play Billy Batson for all I care ;).

Here's some Youtube goodness on the character:

Captain Marvel Vs. Superman


Some Captain Marvel 70's Nostalgia


And some photoshop coloring on the comic today

Marvel Movies In Development Or "Your Pocket's have fair warning now."

Marvel Entertainment, the parent company of Marvel Comics, has many of it's properties in development. Including a Spider-Man Musical, with musical score courtesy of Bono of U2.

Taken from Superherohype.

Licensed Marvel Character Feature Film Line-Up
Wolverine, Fox - Director engaged (Gavin Hood)
Punisher 2, Lionsgate - Director (Lexi Alexander) and lead actor engaged (Ray Stevenson)

Film Projects Being Developed by Marvel - partial list
Iron Man, Marvel - Completed principal photography; May 2, 2008 release
The Incredible Hulk, Marvel - Commenced principal photography; June 13, 2008 release
Ant-Man, Marvel - Writer (Edward Wright, Joe Cornish) and director (Edgar Wright) engaged
Captain America, Marvel - Writer engaged (David Self)
Nick Fury, Marvel - Writer engaged (Andrew Marlowe)
Thor, Marvel - Writer engaged (Mark Protosevich)
The Avengers, Marvel - Writer engaged (Zak Penn)

Marvel Character Animated TV Projects"Spider-Man," Sony - In development; US distribution agreement with Kids' WB
"Wolverine and the X-Men," First Serve Toonz (India) - 26, 30 minute episodes in development
"Iron Man," Method Films (France) 26, 30 minute episodes in development

Marvel Character Animated Direct-to-DVD Projects
Doctor Strange, Lionsgate - August 14, 2007 release
Teen Avengers, Lionsgate - Targeted July 2008 release
Hulk Smash, Lionsgate - Targeted October 2008 release

Marvel Character Live Stage Projects
"Spider-Man the Musical," Hello Entertainment/David Garfinkle, Martin McCallum, Marvel Entertainment, Sony Pictures Entertainment - In development/opening date to be determined; Julie Taymor director; music & lyrics by U2's Bono and The Edge

Marvel 2008 Video Game Releases (Release dates controlled by Publishing partner)"Iron Man," Sega - Targeted 2008
"The Incredible Hulk," Sega - Targeted 2008