First Photo Of Asher Angel As Billy Batson Shows More Than It Appears To
As information continues to trickle in, the happenings of Shazam! become more apparent. Recently, the blockbuster released its first image as to what the title character looked like in costume. Admittedly, I was initially hesitant of how Zachary Levi would look, however, my apprehensions have been stifled.
He looks great.
After the release of an Entertainment Weekly First Look, we can see Asher Angel as Billy Batson and Jack Dylan Grazer as Freddy Freeman have followed in Levi’s footsteps. The two children look outstanding. They look true to character and as excited as children should be. However, it isn’t as much about their looks as it is what’s behind them that has set the industry ablaze.
How does it do it?
First, it acknowledges that Freddy Freeman is a fan of Batman, Superman, and the rest of the Justice League. Not only is a Batarang present, but in the image lies a newspaper article eluding to the return of Superman in Justice League as well as a Time Magazine cover that refers to Man of Steel. There is also is a Certificate of Authenticity that accompanies a bullet flattened by Superman.
If that wasn’t enough, on the shelf lies a hat with the insignia showing Kal-El’s Kryptonian heritage, an action figure of Batman and even a small collection of trade paperbacks.
A picture is worth a thousand words
As comic book movies are announced, the creators must be aware of everything that has happened before them, and what’s happening after. It’s their job to create a centrally knotted world in which each character is but a small part of a big idea. Marvel has done it well and DC is quickly figuring it out. When Shazam! was announced, nobody knew exactly how he would tie in.
We now have answers.
Shazam! is apart of the shared universe. Seeing that the Justice League members have been acknowledged, this most likely means that we will see Shazam! suit up as a part of the team. Or at the very minimum make an appearance in a future Justice League movie. And I for one, am excited. The Justice League needs help and as the DCEU grows, so too does its inclusion of new characters. If Shazam! is successful, which I think it will be, perhaps a Martian Manhunter Movie can finally get underway.
Cheers,
Joel
