The upcoming superhero movie "Shazam!" from the DC Extended Universe is set to be shown in 2019, and even with the negative reviews that "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" and "Suicide Squad" received, the film's executive producer is not worried.
"We don't feel fettered by, or constrained by, the successes or failures and challenges of the other projects," executive producer Dany Garcia told Newsweek. "That was a key component to our participation - that we be able to control the tone and the voice, and do it the way we want to."
Garcia, according to the report, is producing partner and manager to wrestler-actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who is set to portray Black Adam, the villain (or anti-hero) who used to be known as Captain Marvel. Garcia and Johnson are co-producing the film under Seven Bucks Productions together with Warner Bros. subsidiary New Line Cinema.
It can be recalled that the two recent DC superhero films received mediocre to negative reviews. As examples, BBC News said succinctly that "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" was praised by fans but critics were not as positive. Vanity Fair, meanwhile, said that "Suicide Squad" is "ugly and boring."
Garcia explained that they have autonomy over the "Shazam!" brand and franchise even though it's set in the same universe as the other DC-Warner Bros. movies. She said that they have a different setup, and they are working with a different team and different producers and directors.
"Shazam!" will be shown after "Wonder Woman" (June 2017), "Justice League" (November 2017), "The Flash" (no date yet), "Aquaman" (July 2018), and a yet untitled film (October 2018). Garcia said that by the time the Johnson-starrer comes around, it will "fit nicely within the world that's been created" but the culture of the film will be different.
She also said that they don't mind taking their time and that they are being careful with the scenes because they want to make sure that the right tone is set for Johnson's character. She further said that it's important to understand what elements people respond to as in the case of other successful superhero movies.
"Shazam!" is scheduled to be shown in theaters on April 5, 2019.
