Jack Dylan Grazer has joined the cast of ‘Shazam!’.
The 14-year-old actor – who is best known for playing Edward ‘Eddie’ Kaspbrak’ in the hit horror ‘IT’ – is set to play Freddy, the best friend to teenager Billy Baston who will be played by Asher Angel, Deadline reports.
Grazer and Angel join Zachary Levi, who will portray Billy’s adult superhero alter ego Captain Marvel, and Grace Fulton who will play one of Billy’s friends.
Captain Marvel was created by C.C. Beck and writer Bill Parker back in 1939 and first appeared in Whiz Comics #2 a year later.
‘Shazam!’ will focus on Billy, a boy who can transform into an adult superhero by uttering the magic word "Shazam".
The word is an acronym of the ancient world gods and historical figures: Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles and Mercury.
Mark Strong is also in talks to star as the villain of the film.
David F. Sandberg is helming the new movie which has been penned by Henry Gayden and Darren Lemke.
Recently, Levi, 37, admitted he is "honoured and humbled" to be cast as the film’s titular superhero.
He took to Instagram following the casting announcement to post: "Honored and greatly humbled to be a part of the #dcuniverse by bringing the original Captain Marvel to life. I am beside myself with gratitude, not only for this opportunity but also the incredible outpouring of love and support from so many of you out there in the world. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be in the gym for the rest of forever. (amazingly cool art courtesy of @bosslogic) #Shazam (sic)"
Captain Marvel’s arch nemesis is the supervillain Black Adam, who will be played by Dwayne Johnson in a separate film which will build to a future big screen adventure in which they will both clash.
Recently, Johnson, 45, confirmed he was offered the opportunity to play both DC Comics characters, but decided to take on Black Adam because there’s more depth to his backstory.