ROTTEN TOMATOES: Peter Segal Snags "Shazam!"

Peter Segal Snags "Shazam!"

by Scott Weinberg | April 13, 2006

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It's been a long time coming, but it seems like New Line is about to mount a big-screen adaptation of DC Comics' Shazam character ... and they seem to be starting off in a decidedly comedic direction: The helmer will be Peter Segal, whose films I will list if you click the "more" button...

From The Hollywood Reporter: "Peter Segal has come aboard to direct "Shazam!" -- an adaptation of a DC Comics' comic book series featuring Captain Marvel -- for New Line Cinema. Segal also will produce along with Michael Ewing via their Callahan Filmworks banner. The comic series focused on young Billy Batson, who becomes the superhero known as Captain Marvel when he utters the magic word "Shazam!" The name is an acronym for six gods and heroes of the ancient world as well as their attributes: 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. Writers on the long-gestating project include William Goldman and Bryan Goluboff."

As promised, here is Peter Segal's filmography: Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult (1994), Tommy Boy (1995), My Fellow Americans (1996), Nutty Professor 2: The Klumps (2000), Anger Management (2003), 50 First Dates (2004), and The Longest Yard (2005). (I can see it now: Adam Sandler as Shazam!)

Related Items

Celeb:	Peter Segal
	William Goldman
	Michael Ewing
	Brian Goluboff
Movie:	The Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult
	Nutty Professor II: The Klumps
	My Fellow Americans
	Tommy Boy
	Anger Management
	The Longest Yard
	50 First Dates

(1-9 of 9 posts) | Reply

dracus writes:
on Apr 13 2006 05:12 AM

What? The comic book wasn't meant to be funny? Sheesshh!

(Reply to this)

LilAlex writes:
on Apr 13 2006 05:17 AM

Jesus, what's next "Oh mighty Isis" ? Stop.

(Reply to this)

pota1967 writes:
on Apr 13 2006 07:46 AM

I would just be happy for the Shazam and Isis saturday morning tv show to be released on dvd.
Dracus--the original 40's comic book was funny and a little goofy. I dont think anyone would want Shazam to be a Superman clone

(Reply to this)

Captain Average writes:
on Apr 13 2006 07:54 AM

Interesting.

Of course, it was the "stamina of Atlas" - but that's a minorr quibble - unless
that's actually used in the movie [if it ever gets made...].

And to LilAlex, Captain Marvel [the original, referred to here] was around for decades before the TV show that shared an hour with Isis, so don't be thinking they're adapting the TV series.

In fact, the Captain Marvel comics were better written/drawn than the early Superman books - and a lot more fun.

A SHAZAM! movie would be a natural if they could find a script that captured the whimsy of the original [not holding my breath on that one...], and if they cast it probperly [paging Patrick Warburton!]

(Reply to this)

Prosper761 writes:
on Apr 13 2006 08:02 AM

Warburton was hilarious as the voice of The Tick. He'd be a perfect Captain Marvel. I do seem to remember a live-action TV movie in the 70's, but can't remember who was in it.

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Now it's dark writes:
on Apr 13 2006 08:02 AM

The Captain Marvel character in the comic books is often very funny. He's a basically a 10 year old kid in Supermans body. Could work really well if they handle it the right way.

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Elessar Oronro writes:
on Apr 13 2006 10:51 AM

In reply to this comment (#833662)
He was not the VOICE of the Tick. He WAS the Tick in the short-lived but excellent live action Tick TV show on Fox. By the way...Fox sucks for canceling it (and Firefly). Warburton was the voice of Superman in the Jerry Seinfeld commercials, and the voice of Kronk in "The Emperor's New Groove." He's also a voice on Family Guy and Venture Bros. He's a great choice to play a superhero but only if it's filmed tongue-in-cheek.

(Reply to this)

dracus writes:
on Apr 13 2006 11:04 AM

In reply to this comment (#833660)
I'm glad to hear that because from what I remember, it seemed more serious than funny and they were't really sure themselves what it was supposed to be. I used to think that the humour was unintentional.

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Fangmeier69 writes:
on Apr 15 2006 10:52 AM

[b]ARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!![/b]
I can see it now - Adam Sandler as his rival, Black Adam.
DC comics, think about this!!!!

(Reply to this)