The O.C. star Adam Brody and others join 'Shazam', likely as The Shazam Family

This weekend Batman News was tipped off that older actors had been cast to play adult versions of some of the kids in Shazam, and thanks to the community's Twitter detectives we know who is playing them.

Adam Brody, best known for his role in The O.C. TV series, has joined the cast of Shazam. Brody was spotted in Toronto recently where the movie is being filmed, and while his role is being kept under wraps, it's likely that he'll be an adult version of Freddy Freeman (played by Jack Dylan Grazer).

Next up we have Ross Butler joining Shazam, likely as the adult version of Eugene Choi (played by Ian Chen). Butler has let the world know that he's in Toronto on his Instagram account, and is following Shazam director David Sandberg as well as stars Zachary Levi and Ian Chen.

D.J Cotrona is joining Shazam as well, likely as the adult version of Pedro Peña (played by Jovan Armand). And while I didn't get a chance to cover it here on Batman News, Grace Fulton was cast last year as Mary and Faithe Herman is playing Darla Dudley. So what does this all mean?

In the comics, Billy Batson (aka Shazam), Freddy (aka Shazam Jr.), Eugene Choi, Pedro Peña, Mary (aka Mary Marvel), and Darla Dudley make up the group of superheroes known as the Shazam Family. It sounds like Shazam, and maybe Superman if the rumors are true, won't be the only superheroes we see when the movie hits theaters on April 5, 2019.

What do you make of all this casting news? Let me know in the comments below.

Thanks to Batman News reader Roger for the heads up!

36 comments

KayCee

April 21, 2018

And Darla. Darla Dudley is a member of the Shazam Family as well!

BatmanNewsChris
April 21, 2018
Thanks! I'll add that in too.

ItzSilentStorm

April 21, 2018

I wonder if they will have Mary change into a different actress or if she will just stay the same

Satyam

April 21, 2018

Casting looks fantastic

April 21, 2018

DJ Cotrona is white and the kid is Latino. Whitewashing is not a good look.

nipple_pinchy
April 22, 2018
No one cares, racist.
Royal Ruler
April 22, 2018
https://media.giphy.com/med...
Sense
April 22, 2018
When you shower, do you call it whitewashing?
The white hispanic i look at in the mirror everyday wanted me to ask.

Mark

April 22, 2018

So he shares the power with all the kids now? I'm particularly surprised by an adult version of Freddy, since traditionally Cap Jr. looked like Freddy, but without the disability.

Alejandro Polina
April 22, 2018
It happened in Johns' origin story of Shazam in the new52, the sharing power thing. But it happened only one time, then Billy joined the JL and his family didn't appear again. It´s better than Johns' idea from Flashpoint, where Billy and the others have to combine themselves in order to summon Captain Thunder/Shazam.

nipple_pinchy

April 22, 2018

They're doing the New 52 storyline? Now I'm HYPED. I absolutely loved the N52 Shazam story.

OptimistPrime99

April 22, 2018

Adam Brody and D.J. Cotrona, best known as Justice League: Mortal's Flash and Superman. PROBABLY not a coincidence. Actors getting second opportunities to play DC characters, is pretty common. Henry Cavill and Amy Adams auditioning for the Supes and Lois Lane roles back in the day, before getting them in MoS. Gal Gadot having to turn down the Faora role in MoS, which lead to her being on Zack Snyder's radar for the life-changing Wonder Woman role. https://uploads.disquscdn.c...
https://lh3.googleuserconte...

BornAgainPCGamer

April 22, 2018

Not really familiar with Shazam in general. What animated movies/comics would people recommend to get the best introduction to the character?

ItzSilentStorm
April 22, 2018
well this movie seems to be following the new 52 Geoff Johns story a good bit so it wouldn't hurt to read that(its also the most modern take). A lot of people didn't like the portrayal of Billy Batson in that one though because they made him into a little prick instead of the good wholesome boy that he is supposed to be. But the director said he won't be a prick in this movie. There is also the Alex Ross Shazam story(Power of Hope I think it is called?)which people typically recommend. I think there is also an animated movie where Supes and Shazam fight black adam
1. BornAgainPCGamer
  April 22, 2018
  I might give them a brief read but cant stand dickhead kids haha so might not be able to stick with. I dont mind if the kid mends his ways and becomes a better person but if he is just consistently a dope, i wouldnt stick with it. Thanks for the reply though.
2. kan
  April 22, 2018
  Yeah, that was unfortunate about Billy. Geoff thought that today's readers, and especially the newer generations, would relate to a tween angst Billy. Instead, it turned most readers off, as Billy was basically a dick. Good to see Sandberg didn't follow that path.
  There were a lot of other changes Geoff made, most notable was removing his name and signature 'Captain Marvel' for the most part, going instead with Shazam and the Shazam family. Boy, did that ignite a fire, and still does today with devout Captain Marvel nostalgic fans. He also changed his pantheon of gods, which was a weird move. I don't think Sandberg adopted the new pantheon for the movie, thankfully. Other than those major "issues," the New 52 book is good.
Kaingerc
April 22, 2018
you should try out 'Superman\Shazam! first thunder', It's a 4 issue mini series about how Captain Marvel first met and interacted with Superman.
(It doesn't involve the rest of the Marvel family but at least Billy is not a dick in it like in the new 52, and it has some really great moments between him and superman)
https://images-na.ssl-image...
1. BornAgainPCGamer
  April 22, 2018
  Thanks ill check it out

BornAgainPCGamer

April 22, 2018

If DC and WB are smart they will lock Cavill into the role for 2 more solo movies, 2 justice league movies and a handful of appearances in other DC movies. The man is a great Superman and should play a big part in the DCEU. There is so much to do with the character that hasnt been done onscreen before, that it would avoid the character getting stale or overexposed.

BornAgainPCGamer
April 22, 2018
I think people know Cavill could be a great Superman but have been disappointed in the direction the character went. Its all well and good showing us the mans journey into the hero we know and love but its how it was handled (poorly) that turned people off this Superman. His return in JL was generally very well received and people have been very vocal about wanting a MoS2 lately. I think with the right director who knows the character and with the right script, MoS2 has potential to be the best superhero movie ever made. I genuinely believe it could be that good "if" done right.
1. BornAgainPCGamer
  April 22, 2018
  I dont mind it been called MoS2 for consistency but i also like Man of Tomorrow. I cant see that having a broad appeal. Maybe they should just keep it simple and call it Superman, to signify him fully embracing that identity.
  1. BornAgainPCGamer
    April 22, 2018
    Yeah i agree it would show they are making a stand and committing to making him the hero we've all been waiting for. What would be your preferred storyline for the sequel?

SΛŁIM

April 22, 2018

Second opportunity for DJ Cotrona and Adam Brody to join the DC universe. Excellent cast! 👍

And according to the networks, Meagan Good would play the adult version of Darla Dudley and Michelle Borth would play the adult version of Mary Marvel (I do not know how true that is); that is, the cast of 'Shazam' would look like this:
https://image.ibb.co/fffDwx...

Daniel Dion

April 22, 2018

Sounds congested....

Bob Burger

April 22, 2018

The theme takes me back to.....

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

Nightwing Fan J

April 22, 2018

Jay Oliva explained BvS as a part of a 5-part story on twitter. Worth the read. A Thread. https://twitter.com/jayoliv...

Seb
April 22, 2018
@DudeofSteel1Million
Interesting read. Goes to prove that yes, BvS was Zack's idea and plan all along.
Nightwing Fan J
April 22, 2018
Here's more. https://twitter.com/jayoliv...
Nightwing Fan J
April 22, 2018
The parts we know about are MoS, BvS, JL, and JL2. The fifth movie was never revealed. https://twitter.com/jayoliv...

Sense

April 22, 2018

This is very good news

Carl

April 22, 2018

This is great. If we're seeing Shazam might as well go all in with his story...I can't wait to see it.

BROWN_KNIGHT 4 Trump

April 22, 2018

Perhaps Dr. Sivana will be unleashing the 7 deadly sins? Would be a good reason to have allies. https://uploads.disquscdn.c...

mabruno

April 24, 2018

It sucks that they have to call it "the Shazam family" amd use names like "Shazam Jr.'!. It is prespoterous that they cannot use a name that pre-dated Marvel comics. It shows the absurdity of the legal system in the United States.