Rumors about Shazam! being cancelled began to show up online shortly after Justice League’s disastrous opening weekend. However, director David F. Sandberg promptly responded with some hilarious remarks that debunked the rumors. Since then, additional evidence that the movie is still alive and well has surfaced.
Deadline recently reported that Cooper Andrews, who been plays Jerry in AMC's The Walking Dead, has joined the Shazam! cast roster as Billy Batson's foster father. If Sandberg and Co. follow the source material, Andrews' character would be Victor Vasquez. Check this tweet from Andrews:
I’m doing a lightning dance! https://t.co/758d04DCBW
"” Cooper Andrews (@smugorange) December 19, 2017
The 32-year-old Samoan American actor also has a recurring role in AMC's Halt and Catch Fire. He starred in Sundance TV's The Red Road on Sundance TV, and appeared in Limitless and Hawaii Five-0 on CBS. He also had a role in 2016’s Ang Lee war drama, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk.
THR recently reported that Shazam! is scheduled to begin production in "early 2018" at Pinewood Toronto Studios. In October, Sandberg suggested that they would stick to the movie’s original April 5, 2019 release date. Starting in early 2018 will give the director plenty of time to film the movie and complete post-production.
The time frame also provides Zachary Levi with all the time he’ll need to get in shape for his role as the titular superhero. The Chuck star appears to have already added some impressive bulk to his frame, but more time in the gym would enable him to add even more!
Asher Angel is set to play the younger Billy Batson. Other cast members include Grace Fulton as Mary Batson, Jack Dylan Grazer as Freddy Freeman, Ian Chen as Eugene Choi, and Jovan Armand as Pedro Peña. In November, Mark Strong entered into negotiations to portray the villainous Doctor Sivana.
