Shazam!
Warner Bros. first began developing aShazam!movie in the mid-2000s , but the failure of the lightheartedSpeed Racerand the succeeder of the grittyThe Dark Knightconvinced the studio apartment to scrapShazam!and centre on sinister , gloomy megahit . Then , almost a decade later , the relative failure of the dark and gloomyBatman v Supermanconvinced the studio apartment to focalize on more lighthearted fare .
So , theShazam!project was revivify with David F. Sandberg in the theatre director ’s electric chair . Before Zachary Levi and Djimon Hounsou were cast as Shazam and the Wizard , respectively , a numeral of other actor were considered .
Shazam: John Cena
Early inShazam ! ’s maturation , director David F. Sandberg touch with John Cena about possibly playing the title character . However , asthe filming agenda clashed withBumblebee , Cena had to turn down the role .
The former grappler would eventually go on to jointhe DC Extended Universein a different character , Peacemaker , who he ’ll dally inThe Suicide Squadand a subsequent whirl - off stream series .
Wizard: Ron Cephas Jones
Ron Cephas Jones was the first selection to play the Wizard inShazam!and he even accepted the offer to play the part . However , he eventually had to drop out because the shoot clash with that ofThis is Us .
So , the function terminate up going to Djimon Hounsou rather . Hounsou is one of the few actors to appear in both the DCEU and the MCU , as he ’d previously appeared inGuardians of the GalaxyandCaptian Marvel .
Shazam: Zane Holtz
Zane Holtz screen - tested to toy Shazam before Zachary Levi was cast . Holtz is well know for act Richie Gecko – the persona first play by Quentin Tarantino – in Robert Rodriguez ’s TV adaptation ofFrom Dusk Till Dawn .
Holtz presently star as K.O. Kelly in theRiverdalespin - offKaty Keeneon The CW . He ’s also set to make a client appearance as hisKaty Keenecharacter in a fifth - time of year episode of the flagship serial .
Wizard: Tony Shalhoub
The producers ofShazam!considered Tony Shalhoub for the function of the Wizard before casting Djimon Hounsou . Shalhoub is mainly a TV actor , having starred inWings , Monk , andThe Marvelous Mrs. Maisel .
But he ’s no alien to big - budget movie likeShazam ! , having appear inMen in Black , Spy Kids , and the most late batch ofTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesmovies .
Shazam: Parker Young
Parker Young silver screen - test for the title role inShazam!before Zachary Levi was cast . Young is best have it off for roleplay the supporter Ryan inSuburgatory . He also appeared in the saturnine clowning seriesImposterson Bravo .
In increase to TV performing , Young has done modeling workplace for such iconic style brands as Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein .
Wizard: Alan Alda
Alan Alda will never roleplay a role more iconic than Hawkeye Pierce , the wisecrack principal surgeon he played onMAS*H , one of the highest - rated series in TV chronicle . But he was almost introduced to a whole newfangled consultation as the Wizard inShazam!when the producers considered him for the use .
Last year , rather of look inShazam ! , Alda gavean herald supporting performance inMarriage Storyand win the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award , so everything worked out .
Shazam: Jake McDorman
Before David F. Sandberg discovered Zachary Levi , Jake McDorman did a screen test for the part of Shazam . McDorman is best have sex for playing the lead persona in the video adjustment of the Bradley Cooper movieLimitless .
He also play Mike Pratt in Showtime ’s remaking ofShamelessand the title eccentric ’s son Avery in the 2018 revival ofMurphy Brown .
Wizard: F. Murray Abraham
David F. Sandberg considered a fellow Hollywood creative with an “ F ” initial in their name for the part of the Wizard . F. Murray Abraham is one of the most revered actors in the world , with a career span tenner . Best know for his Oscar - winning twist inAmadeus , Abraham has appeared in such varied workings asScarface , Inside Llewyn Davis , andThe Grand Budapest Hotel .
Abraham presently stars inMythic Quest : Raven ’s Banquet , an Apple TV+ comedy series fromIt ’s Always Sunnyalums Rob McElhenney , Charlie Day , and Megan Ganz .
Shazam: Billy Magnussen
Billy Magnussen has cursorily made a name for himself in the past twosome of year with supporting role inInto the Woods , Velvet Buzzsaw , Disney ’s alive - action remaking ofAladdin , and the upcoming Bond movieNo Time to Die . He was once under consideration for the purpose of Shazam .
ground on the bubbly comic energy of his performance inGame Night , Magnussen probably would ’ve made a great Shazam , but Zachary Levi grow out to be the perfect pick .
Wizard: Michael Keaton
Michael Keaton was considered for the role of the Wizard . Keaton , of course , is no stranger to amusing volume motion-picture show part , having made the genre viable for blockbusterswhen he played Bruce Wayne in twoBatmanmoviesdirected by Tim Burton .
Keaton has also play the Vulture inSpider - Man : Homecomingand poke fun at the wage increase of superhero cinema in the Oscar - bring home the bacon dreary comedyBirdman .
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