Mark Strong is in Talks Join SHAZAM! as The Villain Doctor Sivana
It looks like director David F. Sandberg (Annabelle: Creation) is zeroing in on Mark Strong (Kingsman) to play the main villain in Shazam! According to The Wrap, That villain is Doctor Sivana, an evil scientist who makes his first appearance in the 1940 comic Whiz Comics #2. This character is one of Captain Marvel's greatest adversaries. Here are some additional details on the villain in case you're not familiar with him:
In the most recent run of DC Comics’ the New 52 books, that “Shazam” is loosely based on, Sivana is depicted as a respected scientist desperate to save his family from an unknown plight. With science having failed him, he turns to magic. Doctor Sivana’s team finds what he believes to be the tomb of Black Adam; while attempting to open it, the scientist is half-blinded by magical lightning to the face (which has the side-effect of letting him see magic).
This seems like it would be a great role for Strong to take on. As you know, this isn't Strong's first time being a part of a comic book film. On top of the Kingsman movies, he also played Sinestro in the 2011 film Green Lantern. What do you think about strong stepping into the role of Doctor Sivana?
Variety is also reporting that actress Grace Fulton (Annabelle: Creation) is in talks to play one of Billy Batson’s friends in the film. If the two actors sign up, they will join Zachary Levi, who is set to play the lead character Shazam.
Based on the DC Comics character “Shazam!” Billy Batson becomes Captain Marvel, the world’s mightiest mortal, when he says the magic word “Shazam! The name is an acronym for six gods and heroes of the ancient world as well as their attributes. The wisdom of Solomon, strength of Hercules, stamina of Atlas, power of Zeus, courage of Achilles and speed of Mercury.
Shazam! is scheduled to be released on April 5th, 2019!