Merrick here...


The frequently discussed, oft-reported SHAZAM! movie project seems to have collapsed (for a while, at least) due to collision with inconsisent executives, the writer's strike, Warner Bros' assimilation of New Line, and more. This per screenwriter John August.

By “dead,” I mean that it won’t be happening. I don’t think it’s on the studio’s radar at all. It may come back in another incarnation, with another writer, but I can say with considerable certainty that it won’t be the version I developed.

...says August in a blog entry that can be found HERE.

There's some interesting material in his blog post - this is a perfect example of how film development can often become an illogical, frustrating, and even self-defeating hell. It's a compelling and fast read...check it out.

Efforts to bring SHAZAM! to the screen have gone down (and then collapsed) more often than my slutty ex-wife on a night of drunken Tejano debauchery; it's beginning to seem this project is pretty much cursed.

Also, one has to wonder if...between THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO movie being developed by Stephens Cannell and Herek, the assurance of another SUPERMAN theatrical of some sort, the production of an IRON MAN sequel, and the recently announced HANCOCK sequel/prequel/whatever...perhaps the marketplace is too crowded for further films of such similar conceits?