'Shazam!' Casts Asher Angel As Billy Batson

Warner Bros. has had a Shazam! movie in the cards for years, but now suddenly they are moving at warp speed. In the last week we've learned that Zachary Levi would play the DC hero, with Mark Strong as his nemesis, Doctor Sivana. But the one piece of the puzzle that has not really been discussed is the young actor who would play Billy Batson, the kid who transforms into Shazam. And now we know that role has gone to Disney Channel star, Asher Angel.

Angel is best known for his role on Disney's Andi Mack, which I've never heard of, but he's set to get his breakout big screen role now. Billy Batson is an orphan kid granted by a wizard the power to transform into Shazam, an acronym of six ancient gods: Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury. Parallel to this movie is Black Adam, which stars Dwayne Johnson as Shazam's frequent foe. Chances are they will crossover at some point. 

Directed by David F. Sandberg, Shazam! opens in 2019. [Variety]