Shazam! Casts Djimon Hounsou as The Wizard, Ron Cephas Jones Passes

Shazam!

Djimon Hounsou is now a phallus of both the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DC Extended Universe , thanks to his newly - revealed role as The Wizard in DC’sShazam!movie . The Oscar - nominated star of historical dramas likeAmistadandGladiatorjoined the MCU in 2014 , when he play Korath the Pursuer ( insert obligatory"Who?“joke here ) in the firstGuardians of the Galaxymovie . As destiny would have it , Hounsou will return as Korath in next March’sCaptain Marvelmovie , a month before he joins the DCEU for David F. Sandberg ’s wizard superhero action / clowning .

This may add up as puzzling intelligence to those who have been intimately following exploitation onShazam!for the past year . This Is UsandLuke CageactorRon Cephas Jones was originally line upto play the 3,000 yr old magic trick - wielder who endue young Billy Batson ( Asher Angel ) with his super - power in Sandberg ’s film . However , nearly two month afterShazam!wrapped production , it has come to twinkle that Jones in reality drop dead on the role .

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harmonise toEW , Hounsou stepped in to act as the powerful sorcerer after a scheduling issue prevented Jones from sign on forShazam!as contrive . This is n’t the actor ’s first DC pic role either . He previously portray Papa Midnite in the 2005Constantinemovie starring Keanu Reeves , some eight long time before Zack Snyder ’s Superman rebootMan of Steellaid the foundation for the DCEU . In more recent years , Hounsou has play one - off villains in theFast & FuriousandHow to Train Your Dragonfranchises , in increase to character in the modern re - imaginings of theTarzanandKing Arthurmovies .

In the comics , The Wizard has been battle wickedness since the daytime of Ancient Egypt and chooses Billy as his heir , thus give him the ability to become a Superman - esque superhero by shouting out his name ( " Shazam ! " ) . In retrospect , Hounsou is a no - brainer woof to play the character , who serves as the no - bunk mentor to an irritable young male child who can dead transform into a muscle - bound Zachary Levi in Sandberg ’s movie . In fact , it ’s not that far off from the gruff mentor part that Hounsou played last year in Guy Ritchie’sKing Arthur : Legend of the Sword(sans the magical powers ) .

fan might even get their first look at Hounsou as The Wizard as early as next workweek . TheShazam!traileris bruit to debut during the Warner Bros. Hall H panel at San Diego Comic - Con on Saturday , July 21 , along with the first trailer for director James Wan’sAquaman . Failing that , perhaps WB will release a first feeling photo at Hounsou in theotherCaptain Marvel movie coming out next year .