The film, which is scheduled for release on April 5, 2019, is about a teenage boy named Billy Batson, who is played by Andi Mack‘s Asher Angel. He is given the power to change into a superpowered adult (Zachary Levi) when he says the word “Shazam!”
Technically, this is not the first look that we have of Levi in his costume; first, there were some leaked videos of him on set during filming a few months back, while Levi himself posted a picture of a promotional banner on his Instagram account. The latter became a minor meme, as it shows Levi’s superhero drinking soda in a decidedly immature way.
According to polygon.com, the new picture is somewhat similar, showing Levi’s Shazam/Captain Marvel standing outside of a convenience store with his best friend Freddy Freeman, played by Jack Dylan Grazer. Each is kicking back with a can of soda, with Levi carrying a box of it under his arm.
The scene might be somewhat similar to those who read the revised Shazam origin story in the New 52, told mostly during backup stories of Justice League. In this most recent comic book telling, Billy, having just gotten his superpowers, use them to foil a convenience store robbery; in thanks, he and Freddy are allowed to leave with a large amount of free junk food, including soda. Presumably this scene from the film will be based on that.
This, plus a new plot synopsis, confirms that the New 52 version will the basis for the movie (a fact which most already guessed). This telling was a bit controversial due to changes made to Billy’s personality—traditionally depicted as literally the purest soul on Earth, the New 52 version was rude and cynical. That said, there are indications that the film will adapt the plot of that story while sticking to a different characterization.
Also somewhat divisive has been Levi’s costume: as expected, it is mostly red, with a big yellow thunderbolt on the chest, but its “spandexy” look has been called cheap-looking by some. In contrast, others find it pleasantly “old school,” akin to the Christopher Reeve Superman costume, and think that it helps confirm official assurances that Shazam will be more fun and lighthearted than past DCEU entries.
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