Djimon Hounsou is continuing the ever-growing trend of portraying both a character in the Marvel and DC Cinematic Universes. Earlier this week it was revealed that the Guardians of the Galaxy supporting actor will be joining the cast of Shazam! as The Wizard.
In the comics, The Wizard plays the role of a mentor to Billy, choosing him to be his successor following millennia of battling evil, dating back to Ancient Egyptian times.
According to EW, this role was originally supposed to be played by Luke Cage actor Ron Cephas Jones. When scheduling conflicts arose, Hounsou stepped in to play the role of the 3,000-year-old magic-wielder.
In terms of this new casting, Hounsou makes perfect sense for the role. Alongside playing the no-nonsense mentor role in films like Never Back Down and King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, the actor has already played in a role in previous DC film. While it isn’t canon in the current DCEU, Hounsou played the role of Papa Midnite in the 2005 Keanu Reeves lead paranormal superhero movie, Constantine.
Official news of The Wizard’s casting almost fills the roster when it comes to pivotal roles for Shazam!. Young Billy Bastion will be played by Asher Angel, while the grown-up version will be portrayed by Zachary Levi. The most notable role will be that of the movie’s antagonist, Black Adam, who will be played by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
In the meantime, be sure to keep an eye out for more news of Shazam! soon, especially at this years San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday, July 21. Rumor has it that Warner Bros. plans to debut the first trailer for the film at the Hall H panel alongside a first look another DC solo film, James Wan’s Aquaman.
For more information, be sure to check back to the site for updates, as well as all of your other nerdy news and needs!