'Shazam' news: Zachary Levi compares movie to Tom Hanks' 'Big'

Promotional photo for the New 52 version of Shazam. DC Comics

Now that "Shazam's" primary cast is nearly complete, production is set to begin shortly, with Zachary Levi, the actor chosen for the superhero role, making waves for his recent observations about the movie.

Levi recently appeared in Los Angeles broadcasting channel KTLA 5 where he drew parallels between his role and 1988's "Big," starring Oscar awardee Tom Hanks, who was also nominated for an Academy Award in that movie. Levi stated that the only differences between his role and Hanks' are the superpowers and their love interests.

"Look the movie I think, ultimately the hope is it's going to feel like the movie Big but with superpowers. I mean that's what Shazam is. Billy Batson who's 13 gets this magical power, he says Shazam, he becomes Captain Marvel Shazam, long story we'll get into that later, and then he becomes me. So you've got to have the heart of that kind of Tom Hanks of the kid in you," said Levi in the interview with the said network.

"Shazam" is about a 13-year-old boy named Billy Batson, who becomes an adult superhero when he shouts "Shazam!" The movie explores his adventures as a superhero.

"Big," also follows the same premise where a boy turns into an adult and gets into exciting misadventures. In the movie, Hanks, with the behavior of a kid, goes on dates, pitches fresh ideas to a toy company, and gets himself into situations which he finds exciting but usually stresses out adults. Levi thinks that the upcoming movie "Shazam" could have a similar feel to it.

Levi was also honored and exalted for the role since these days, superhero roles in Hollywood are stellar and do not usually come often. Because of this, Levi is off to the gym to build a physique worthy of the world's mightiest mortal, Shazam. Fans will get to see his final form once the movie premieres on Apr. 5, 2019.

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