ROTTEN TOMATOES: And Your New "Shazam" Is...Jake Gyllenhaal?

And Your New "Shazam" Is...Jake Gyllenhaal?

by Jen Yamato | March 14, 2007

Last week came news that arguably one of history's silliest comic book heroes was heading to the screen (and no, it's not a remake of that Shaquille O'Neal genie movie). Now it seems Jake Gyllenhaal is being tapped to play the red suited, cape-wearing boy-turned-superhero Shazam!

According to Rush & Molloy, Gyllenhaal is New Line's top pick to play the role of Captain Marvel, known popularly as Shazam after the magical word that transforms him into a superbeing. Peter Segal ("The Longest Yard") is at the helm, with a script being written by frequent Tim Burton scripter John August ("Big Fish," "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Go").

Gyllenhaal in "Jarhead"

The DC Comics character is a holdover to the golden age of comics, when the unabashedly Superman-like Captain Marvel was one of the highest-selling series in all the land. The lore centers on a 13-year-old boy/radio reporter named Billy Batson who, given superpowers by a wizard, can transform into the adult Captain Marvel by saying the word "Shazam!" Much like Superman, Marvel is invulnerable, super strong, and super fast; unlike Superman, Marvel uses lightning bolts, doesn't have X-Ray vision, and, if played by Gyllenhaal, may look more like a rumpled hangdog than a hunky man of steel.

Remember "Bubble Boy?" Yeah, me too...

The goss-slingers at Rush & Molloy speculate that New Line's itching to get Gyllenhaal locked in fast before "Spider-Man 4"'s casting agents come calling to offer up Tobey Maguire's spot in any upcoming sequels. Citing an "insider" informant, they also share that New Line hopes the "Shazam!" flick will kick start a blockbuster superhero franchise in the vein of recent moneymakers like "Batman Begins," and that the studio might be willing to put $200 million on the line to make it happen.

Source: IGN Movies, Rush & Molloy

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(1-20 of 33 posts) | Reply

kalabus writes:
on Mar 14 2007 01:29 PM

[b]If he wants to lose respectability....[/b]
He has been starring in mature roles of late like Brokeback, Jarhead and Zodiac...I hope at this juncture he has enough sense to avoid one of these popcorn flicks for screaming 10 year olds......a movie that has such a horrible legacy.

I though he was a serious actor?

(Reply to this)

timov writes:
on Mar 14 2007 01:53 PM

retarded idea. but since he played a gay cowboy I guess he could play a gay superhero just fine.

(Reply to this)

Cindy_Lou_Who writes:
on Mar 14 2007 02:52 PM

If he plays 'Shazam', his career will go 'Kaboom'. Just what we need, another Nick Cage who thinks he can be a superhero.

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Zen Bullet writes:
on Mar 14 2007 02:58 PM

Okay Jake,

whatever you do . . .

. . . wait for the Spider-Man agents.

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mojodaddy writes:
on Mar 14 2007 03:05 PM

[b]NOOOOOOO[/b]
I would much rather see him as the next Spider-Man! It would be very disappointing to see him play this "13 year old".

(Reply to this)

dagreenman18 writes:
on Mar 14 2007 03:18 PM

Hey Bale is a serious actor, and he's doing Batman. i say good for Jake. If offered Spiderman, turn it down. Why? because you'll be taking over Tobey spot, as opposed to giving a new likeness to your own superhero.

and if you saw Jake on his SNL monologue, he's pretty built these days.

(Reply to this)

Merlin235 writes:
on Mar 14 2007 03:18 PM

In reply to this comment (#858118)
I would imagine that actors would be attracted to all kinds of roles, not just dark, brooding dramatic ones. If he wants to do this because he is attracted to the material, than that's fine. Personally, I'd rather see him do Spiderman 4.

(Reply to this)

donkeytron writes:
on Mar 14 2007 03:20 PM

[b]There's nothing wrong with...[/b]
playing a superhero if it's done well. Christian Bale will have no trouble holding to "respected actor" status after Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. But Captain Marvel? I thought he was cheesy when I was a kid. What are the kids today going to think? We already know after last summer their not to into Superman anymore. Although, ol' Shazzy was pretty kick ass in Kingdom Come. Now, THAT would be an awesome momvie.

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CitizenFlynn writes:
on Mar 14 2007 03:35 PM

[b]Please Don't Do This...[/b]
Gyllenhaal has proven himself to be a great actor. The existential outcast of Donnie Darko, the disappointed soldier of Jarhead, the tenacious, Eager Young Space Cadet-like reporter of Zodiac...this guy is a great actor and should not be in the role of a superhero that is frequently mocked for his goofy powers and being a cut-rate Superman.

At least with Iron Man, Jon Favreau has a great cast (Downey, Howard, Paltrow, Bridges) and a decent surprise of a film on his hand.

If any previously established character, Jake Gyllenhaal would be, in case a studio remakes it, an ideal choice to play Dale Cooper in a Twin Peaks update.

(Reply to this)

QTRules writes:
on Mar 14 2007 03:59 PM

In reply to this comment (#858118)
They are probably paying him so much money that he doesn't care if the movie sucks and if it hurts his reputation a little.

(Reply to this)

JackHorner1979 writes:
on Mar 14 2007 04:22 PM

In reply to this comment (#858118)
All actors, if they want to continue making more art house films, tend to have to sign on to larger, popcorn fare movies. When his name becomes a box office draw, he can then bounce back and forth between the two types. One generally can't stay with art house and have a viable future. Nature of the business.

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JackHorner1979 writes:
on Mar 14 2007 04:26 PM

[b]Why do people insist he become Spider-man?[/b]
That to me seems like a step backwards. Jake's name is too big to warrant taking over a project that's already been successful, with other big names attatched to it. I'm awaiting an actor who needs the push, to become Spidey.

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Nived writes:
on Mar 14 2007 05:18 PM

He should drop this and pick up playing Peter Parker when Maguire leaves the Spider-Man series.

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selke99 writes:
on Mar 14 2007 05:40 PM

[b]Bubble Boy worst movie ever[/b]
I was fliipping the channels one day and accidently came across him playing Bubble Boy. Now I can't look at him the same! He was ok in Brokeback Mountain, but Ledger's role was much better. Maybe I need to see him in Zodiac, Darko, and Jarhead but he looks too much like a little kid, I can't take him seriously. Maybe this would be the perfect movie for him...as the boy.

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TheAnswerMVP2001 writes:
on Mar 14 2007 06:00 PM

I thought he was going to pick up where Tobey Maguire was leaving Spiderman at... I'd think I'd rather have that gig than this...in fact I'd rather have any gig than this.

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lrm8 writes:
on Mar 14 2007 06:10 PM

if jake is dumb enough to take this, then he deserves whatever criticism he gets. they dont call captain marvel the big red cheese for nothing. this seems like it will end badly for everybody involved (except the director, who is a hack and will make some bank). 200 million for a captain marvel movie? WTF? didnt warners learn anything from superman returns? if you want to boost your numbers, stop with the shitty captain marvel movies and jump on the GREEN LANTERN GRAVY TRAIN. i swear warners has no idea what its doing.

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hitokirivader writes:
on Mar 14 2007 07:34 PM

[b]Wow...[/b]
Talk about a slanted news story. Guess she hasn't read a Captain Marvel comic from after the fifties.

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southfrisco writes:
on Mar 14 2007 07:36 PM

Have you SEEN Bubble Boy?

(Reply to this)

synergyred writes:
on Mar 14 2007 08:15 PM

hahahaha

This is all too funny.

(Reply to this)

Yalnif writes:
on Mar 14 2007 08:47 PM

Jake was much better than "ok" in Brokeback Mountain.

(Reply to this)

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