Shazam: Mark Strong in talks to play villain role

Mark Strong is in talks to play the lead villain role in Shazam.

News about one of DC Extended Universe’s most anticipated projects has come out faster than you could say Shazam! Just hours ago Variety reported that Grace Fulton (Annabelle Creations) has joined David F. Sandberg’s Shazam alongside Zachary Levi.  Now THR is reporting that Kingsman star, Mark Strong will play Shazam’s arch nemesis, Doctor Thaddeus Sivana.

There isn’t a ton of history about the mad doctor, but he’s been around DC quite a bit including teaming up with other villains such as Lex Luthor. The genius doctor and mad scientist relied on more than science to carry out his desires. After science failed to help him save his family, Dr. Sivana turned to magic, specifically the power of Black Adam. Sivana discovered Adam’s tomb in Iraq, and consequently, he was struck by lightning which granted him the ability to see magic — thus a nemesis was born

Now it’ll be Mark Strong who’ll bring this vastly unknown character to life. Sivana’s lack of DC mainstream exposure makes him feel fresh and with Strong attached — there are some heavy expectations. However, this isn’t Strong’s first role in DC film —  the Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy star played  Sinestro in the 2011 DC film, Green Lantern. Though Sinestro was a good guy, his comic book history depicts him as a villain, like his upcoming role in Shazam. Moreover, the introduction of Sivana directly ties into another DC project, Black Adam which stars Dwyane The Rock Johnson in the title role.

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We’ll just have to wait and see how Strong’s role in Shazam will impact the future of Black Adam. Shazam is set to start filing in February 2018 with an expected release date on April 5, 2019. What are your thoughts on Mark Strong playing Dr. Sivana?