Shazam!
After years of wait , Shazam!has finally get , impart the first superhero movie story to actually put a devotee of DC superheroes in the starring role . And in a earth filled with Batman , Superman , and the rest of the Justice League , there arefar too manyEaster Eggs , DC Comics references , and hush-hush references to catch in evenmultipleviewings .
There is plenty to discuss about thefuture DCEU motion-picture show to followShazam!and how Billy Batson ’s role could grow large as a consequence . And devote just how strangethe post - credits scene forShazam!are going to seem to anyone but the most dedicated laughable book readers , audience might recall the only secret detail or bit of fan service are aimed at the hardcore buff ofShazamcomics . But to make certain that no fan of the motion picture ends up pretermit some of the coolest Easter Eggs , impossible to catch inside joke , and comic Quran and pop refinement references , we ’re breaking each and every one of them down . FromAnnabelledolls toBatmanandJokerreferences , we ’ve got them all in one place .
Needless to say there will beSPOILERS forShazam!as we take apart the movie ’s closed book , scene by scene . Here is our perfect breakdown ofShazam!Every Easter Egg & Secret Reference .
30. The Annabelle Doll Cameo
If you told us years ago that two of the most awaited and amazingly well received DC picture show would issue forth from the minds of two directors with horror sensibilities , we would have had question . But after James Wan blew the doors off the box office withAquaman , and now David F. Sandberg brings the most child like superhero to animation , the responses address for themselves . But neither forget where they came from .
gratefully , the nightmare inducing cameo from theAnnabelledoll is n’t as difficult to spot the 2d clock time around . InAquaman , Annabelle lie in at the bottom of the sea , difficult to fleck among other ocean floor garbage . To get her inShazam!audiences wo n’t have to wait long , either . When the police officers first go into the instrument workshop at Billy ’s urgency , keep your centre on the ledge in the downcast remaining side of the screen , and lock away centre with Annabelle before you’re able to even prepare for it .
29. The Watchmen Smiley Face
When Billy Batson speaks with the social doer trying to find him a home now that he ’s fled from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia , the assortment of smiley face mugs , globe , and clitoris on her desk might seem like some dark humor ( considering how clearly unhappy both Billy and his social worker seem to be with the current situation ) .
But cognize just how declamatory the shadow of Alan Moore’sWatchmengraphic novel predominate over the spiritualist , and how often Zack Snyder ’s film interlingual rendition is pointed to in line to his own DC plastic film , fansasked managing director David F. Sandberg if theWatchmenallusionwas as clear as some arrogate . His response ? A simple " of course , " reassert the Easter Egg for fans in the know .
28. The First Crocodile Easter Egg
Before buff get too excited by the Watchmen smiley faces to pretermit the tantrum ’s other canny inside jocularity , pay closelipped attention to the small plastic toy to the left of the frame ( from Billy ’s point of view ) . Considering the context of use , the smiley confront make sense – even if the attempt to relieve the humor may not be a succeeder . But a small plastic frame if a crocodile ? Try excuse that .
We ca n’t give a justification in the fabrication of the picture show , but rooter make out that a nod to crocodile is no conjunction at all ( and this is n’t even the most memorable Easter Egg connect to them ) . But as an appetizer of what ’s to come , and the other allusions to crocodile comic characters like Sobek , or the evil Crocodile Men Captain Marvel once fought , it ’s a fantastic touch .
27. The Talky Tawny Tiger Callbacks
Look , we ’re as disappointed as anyone that theShazam!movie did n’t find a way to insert an anthropomorphized , walking , talking , sapient Panthera tigris man . If they had , we might even have leave them to not explicitly namr him " Mr. Tawny , " the comic Christian Bible character known and beloved by everCaptain Marvelfan . But even in the picture ’s light , adventurous spirit , that would be hard to buy . deplorably , there is n’t even room for Billy to catch a regular , or even stuffed tiger into a massive translation ( like the New 52 comic reboot ) .
What fans do get are a ton of nods to " Talky " Tawny link up to Billy ’s dear of LTTE . His desire for a stuffed interlingual rendition is called back to in beautiful fashion , and most fans will blot the tiger stitched onto his backpack . What they might miss are the two Panthera tigris heads have it away his mantle into the lightning bolt of lightning on his breast , as well .
26. The Classic Superman Movie Headline
The references and mentions of Superman are severe to call out as Easter Eggs since they ’re counting on audiences catching them , and recognizing that these movie theatrical role live a world as fill with superheroes as our own . But a direct denotation to Richard Donner’sSuperman : The Movie ? Now THAT is something else entirely .
No , we ’re not referring to the exercise of the John Williams idea , either . There are too many superhero - theme newspaper headlines in Freddy Freeman ’s bedroom to spot , allow alone read upon the first showing . And the same could be said for the newspaper tossed or highlighted by Daily Planet editor Perry White in Donner ’s classic . However , a headline like " CAPED curiosity STUNS CITY " is n’t one that ’s easy to bury . So when it returns this time around , it ’s one of the film ’s most exciting , and unexpected surprise .
25. Freddy Freeman’s Superhero Souvenirs
Even after Freddy Freeman explicitly bring out his collection of Justice League souvenirs as validation of his fandom , viewers are guarantee to miss at least some of the incredible point scattered throughout the room . The Superman mug , lid , and action figure might be caught ( and are actual ware available in our own works , too ) .
But his books examine superhero psychology and its impact on the human world , an takings of TIME Magazine published before long after the attack on Metropolis by General Zod , and others are going to require eagle eyed scanning , and another excuse for repeat viewings .
Page 2 : The Rock of Eternity ’s Secrets & a Smallville Nod !
24. Lionel Luthor Fathers Another Supervillain
If you ’re a buff of DC Comics , you know actor John Glover , even if the role is dissimilar . But one affair is for indisputable : when Shazam ! begins by driving home just how direful the Sivana family is to young Thaddeus , his contemptuous father is going to feel … familiar . For more reasons than it seems at first , as a issue of fact , since he possess an born credibleness in the use of a man responsible for for raising a future supervillain .
Most DC fans will get it on Glover for his time as Lionel Luthor , father of Lex Luthor in the television receiver seriesSmallville – where he was also a incorporated genius , also had a complicated kinship with his twisted , nefarious , bald-headed boy , and also got what was follow to him . Hey , when it act upon , it work .
23. The Rock of Eternity’s Magic Mirror
Even for casual fan , it ’s easy to tell that when Billy Batson mistreat out of his subway string and into the magical Rock of Eternity , he ’s picking his mode through some of the most iconic magical relics and artifacts that the DC Comics Universe has to put up . Thankfully , audiences do n’t need to look too heavy to see how the movie has adapted the same emplacement and artefact from Geoff Johns ' newfangled 52 amusing book .
The easiest to spy is the enormous gilded mirror propped near the entree . As beguiling as it will be for the fag fib fans to see this as a nod to the " mirror mirror on the bulwark " from the classicSnow Whitestory , the mirror is really innkeeper to its own entity , named Francesca . The boldness in the mirror does n’t appear in the movie , but that ’s does n’t think of she wo n’t in the future tense .
22. Mr. Mind’s Famous Glass Jar
We like we could give a exonerated explanation of the fiddle burn with sorcerous fire next to Francesca ’s mirror , beyond an assumed connection to the Roman Emperor Nero fiddle as the city burned . And the same goes for the gold helmet position nearby ( it is n’t the Helmet of Nabu , alas for Doctor Fate lover ) . But one detail that look much very to the comic is the glass slip holding the devious cat Mr. Mind .
The changes are worth noting , of course : the Wizard of the movie seems to be far more generous a jailer than his comic book similitude . Where Mr. Mind was adjudge inside a glass flask , inside a meth case , the movie version is afford greenery to roost upon ( and presumably eat ) . It make for out terribly for both of them , in the end .
21. The Ibistick of Ibis The Invincible
No , once again , the Helmet of Fate does n’t make an visual aspect in the Shazam ! movie ’s reading of the Rock of Eternity ( not that we can spot , anyway ) . The above image is taken from NBC ’s Constantine , and the relic fans should be ante up tightlipped attention to is the gold scepter locate behind the Helmet . That triangular - topped golden scepter is the real treasure , and really CAN be seen in the Rock of Eternity ’s entryway .
The scepter is do it as the Ibistick , and it is the fundamental magical gadget used by Ibis the Invincible . He ’s a Golden Age throwback if there ever was one , first appear in 1940 in the pages of Fawcett Comics ( the same birthplace as Billy Batson ) . It ’s a clever throwback to fans of the early days of fantasy and sorcerous escapade comic , but we would n’t expect this Egyptian prince to be awake by the Ibistick in our modern humanity any metre soon .
20. The History of Black Adam
What started as a common thread betweenMan of Steel , Wonder Woman , andJustice Leaguehas now become a full blown criterion for any DCEU picture show . We ’re refer to the tendency of the films to pause their plots , and enjoy a flashback or expositional episode commonly involve storytelling , recounting of history , and often employing a terrific strong-arm medium or fine art fashion to do it .
Shazam!is no exception , as the Wizard scatters glowing gold energy from his stave to tell his story through a witching moving diorama . The story secernate Billy about the Council ’s previous champion , and his workplace in demolish all of them save the Wizard Shazam . Fans know that this devolve champion is none other than Black Adam . And even if Dwayne Johnson has yet to seem as Black Adam , enemy to Shazam , it ’s prissy to see him bet a role in the story all the same .
19. Fawcett Central School (Formerly Comics)
The movie brings many scenes from Geoff Johns ' 2011 comic reboot to animation on the button as they ’re depicted on screen , but it also preserves one of the big changes that serial publication made to the original . Previous to that series the heroes of the Shazam Family resided in Fawcett City , USA . It was a nod to the original Fawcett Publications than create and publish stories starring Billy Batson , then live in his superhero identity as " Captain Marvel . " The rebooted comic lift the natural action to Philadelphia , and the movie does the same .
The fimmmakers still institute a means to bear homage to the character ’s rootage , however , by make Billy and the quietus of the surrogate kids attend Fawcett Central , a schoolhouse name in pureness of the first publisher to make Captain Marvel a superhero rivaling even Superman in his golden years .
Page 3 : ACE Chemicals , and Captain America !
18. ACE Chemicals
Yes , believe it or not theShazam!movie does n’t just reference Batman through use of his batarangs or " caped crusader " soubriquet , but using his greatest enemy , The Joker . Well , at least the chemic company that indirectly led to the birth of the Joker when the human he was before tumbled into a vat of folly inducing toxin . toxin that bleached his skin , dye his pilus , and snapped his psyche for good .
strangely enough , ACE Chemicals is also the birthplace of Billy Batson ’s superhero identity , since they own the storage warehouse where he and Freddy examine out his index on tv camera . The ACE Chemicals logo is only visible on the massive brand tanks fill the space in one snap , but keep a expression out and you ca n’t miss that iconic logotype .
17. ZAP-tain America
The legality of the Shazam / Captain Marvel name mean that DC only make worldwide , passing jest to the name that the hero originally claimed . But thanks to one cook up moniker by Freddy Freeman , fans may be able to corroborate that Shazam takes place in the same universe as Marvel ’s Avengers .
When Freddy begins to upoad video after video of Billy ’s superhero exploits and power , he does so under a variety of names . The most ordinarily visible are " Red Cyclone " and " Thundercrack , " but at least one described him as " ZAP - tain America . " That ’s a clever name , given his superpowers over electrical energy … but the joke really only makes sense if Captain America is a vulgar icon . Either as a populate sub or a comic book invention , it ’s dainty to see DC and Marvel can play nice outside of the public eye .
16. Captain Sparklefingers
The betting odds that both Marvel and DC ’s versions of the superhero " Captain Marvel " would let go a movie within weeks of eachother must be astronomic , but they are making the most of it . star Zachary Levi and Brie Larson are sharing the love , and the Shazam ! flick actually makes a Captain Marvel put-on , even if lover will drop it in all but the rarest of setting .
Among the names Freddy cooks up for Billy ’s hero sandwich , the worst is without motion " Captain Sparklefingers . " Believe it or not , that ’s a reference to Carol Danvers , as her modern risible series from writer Kelly Sue DeConnick makes the same joke . With Carol relate to playfully as " Princess Sparklefists"–a moniker in reality made into MCU canon by the tie - in novel – at least Billy Batson gets to have the " Captain " name back .
15. The Nolan Batman Batcave
Fans would assume that it would be Ben Affleck ’s version of Batman being referenced in this motion-picture show , considering it ’s part of the DCEU . But just as Christopher Reeve ’s Superman bequest is incorporate , so too is Christian Bale ’s take on Batman . At least judgement by Billy Batson ’s vision of the ultimate superhero lair .
When Freddy describes the sort of secret base they ’re looking for to a veridical estate agent , his imagination is an acceptable , universally cool rook . But Billy ? Billy is look for a base overlooking water , with a falls that you’re able to get through to access . That ’s a sodding and key description of the Batcave from Christopher Nolan ’s trilogy , and as unforgettable to fans as it is to Billy .
14. Holy Moley, Billy!
At this period its practically mandatory for a superhero moving picture or TV show to conform a super fighter ’s signature catch phrase . Or lack that , at least expend their most iconic exclaiming when push to the limits . For the original Billy Batson of the comics , that ’s an old fashioned " Holy Moley!"–and the movie hand over it twice .
devotee will recollect when Shazam first zooms beneath the bus seesaw off a bridgework , and let ’s out an exasperated " Holy Moley " in reply to … well , having no approximation how to solve the problem . But it ’s also the very first words Billy speaks when he enters the plastic film , feigning a ' gee golly ' naturalness to get the better of the police force .
13. Jim Gordon’s Batman… Confirmed?
The explosion of DC Universe merchandise is matt-up the strongest when Billy and Sivana ’s first competitiveness smashes into a plaything store filled with Justice League toy . And director David F. Sandberg made a pointedness of explaining that every product in the store is available in the tangible Earth . In fact , that meant the studio needed to approve every toy dog , so as not to confirm characters they had yet to adapt , or work into canon .
Which take a leak the coming into court of the Batman : Superheavy mech so exciting . The armor can be examine as Billy flees the toy aisles ( what look like the Fisher Price version ) , but in the comedian , it ’s the mech suit of clothes wear by Jim Gordon in the absence seizure of Bruce Wayne . So if it subsist as a product for kids in the DCEU … can we confirm Jim put on the causa at some item in the past ? Intended or not , we ’re just go away to assume .
Page 4 : Director Cameos , Lucky Numbers , and Crocs !
12. The ‘Big’ Keyboard Homage
From the very first time that the makers ofShazam!were allow to discuss the movie , the verbal description " Superman meets Big " became a common plus . And for obvious reasons , since the Tom Hanks pic about a kid who bid to be an grownup fundamentally IS the tarradiddle of Shazam , just with add sinew and major power . So it ’s only right that the movie bear direct homage .
By this point , there will be many in the hearing who never sawBig , and therefore never interpret the movie ’s use of a floor - base keyboard . The version of the scene is much shorter with Billy and Sivana , and a lot less favorable . But a fantastic import for any older fans who have yet to recognize the similarities .
11. Billy’s Parents Names
The specific reason that Billy Batson was give up has changed over the years , and the scene with his mother Rachel is a entire invention for the moving picture . But one of the nicest detail in the otherwise tragical write up descend when Eugene explains the information he has found on Billy ’s birth parent . Specifically , their names .
Marilyn audiences get to meet , but Billy ’s sire is only bring up to as " C.C. Batson"–a reference to C.C. Beck , one of the creators of Captain Marvel back in his earliest Fawcett days .
10. Shazam’s Lucky Number? Seven
rooter wo n’t postulate to be told the significance of the number 7 in this story . But we ’re willing to bet that the frequency of the turn will contain a few surprises . Obviously , the seven virulent sin and the Council of Wizard ’s enumeration seven can be explained as intentionally matched .
9. The Director Cameo
You do n’t show your sensation of humor in the run up to release as much as director David F. Sandberg has without allowing yourself to get in on the play . And from our first wake , and speaking with Sandberg on the stage set of the moving picture , it looks like he has multiple character in the movie , whether they ’re credited or not . And slipping into one of the Crocodile Men suits is just the beginning .
We are almost sure that the interpreter of Marilyn ’s new boyfriend – the one rudely shout at her during her entire conversation with Billy – is voiced by Sandberg himself . Which would make a lot of common sense … more than the rumors that he also supply the monotone robotlike voice of Mr. Mind in the post - credits scene .
8. The Crocodile Men
When the kids are fleeing from Sivana and his Seven Sins by lead through the halls of the Rock of Eternity , they do upon a pot guaranteed to delight ever fan of the comic : a solicitation of doors anticipate to open upon all style of magic scenes . The first ? The gloriously wondrous visual sensation of a radical of Crocodile Men sitting at a tabular array , playing circuit board .
This is the payoff to the earlier crocodile tease with Billy ’s social doer , and one that could be a sign of much bigger things in aShazam!sequel . In the wide-eyed , mod version of the mythology , the Crocodile Men are … well , just intelligent crocodile . to begin with , they were nefarious alien collaborator , so whichever parentage fans choose until proven otherwise .
7. Hints of The Monsterlands?
Fans will likely be so enamored with the Rock of Eternity after their first viewing , they wo n’t find a need to wonder if there are other doors , to other realms , where magic is allowed to mould reality in more means than our own . But it ’s true : and the movie might actually give hearing their first glimpse of the nightmarish Monsterlands that control enough wickedness to wipe out every peaceful the great unwashed .
In the comics , humans repose in The Earthlands , just one of – you guessed it – seven unlike magical realms . The only one permanently shut off from the others is The Monsterlands . And while they ’ve never been shown or explored in the comic strip , they would in all probability seem something like the doorway opened by Mary : foggy , mystical , and alluring … until it tries to kill you . digit crossed for the sequel .
Page 5 : The Shazam Family , Justice League & Superman !
6. Shazam’s ‘Secret Spell’
call up the mirror we cite earlier , visible in the Rock of Eternity and bearing the face of a being named Francesca ? In the comic upon which thisShazam!origin is base , Francesca exact it upon herself to urge Billy to do the correct thing ( appear to him in reflections om everyday object , even puddles ) . All the while trying to make him see that the Wizard yield him a " hidden while " he must finally unlock .
Since the flick does forth with Francesca , the Wizard is give standardised dialogue hinting that Billy must " open his heart " so he may partake his conjuration . In the strip , the spell is literally speak as " Family is what it can be , not what it should be . " While the movie does n’t make it a literal spell mould , it does make it the theme of the entire history .
5. The Shazam Family, in Live-Action
What ’s good than a kid who can transubstantiate into a demigod superhero by uttering a magical word ? How about an entire family of kid transforming into fighter ? It ’s the moment that audiences will be talking about for years to hail , not only because of the surprisal and impact , but because of just how well it quicken the very same moment from the New 52 comedian .
From their costume to their powers , the superhero versions of Freddy , Darla , Pedro , Eugene , and Mary are take flat from the printed page . In fact , the movie assume their specialization of powers and last even further . Pedro stay the strong ( secure than Shazam ) , Darla the quickest , and Eugene has a gift for using electrical energy ( in the comedian , he can ' talk ' to technology ) . But in the flick reading , it ’s only Freddy who can fly . A poetical touch , study he would " give anything " to be able to take the air or run , let alone soar .
4. “Say My Name… No, Not ‘Billy Batson’!”
The arrival of the Shazam Family may be the aroused final payment of the entire motion picture , seeing Darla become a Hero of Alexandria , Pedro become strong , Freddy vanish , and more . But it follows the emotional climax of the film when the foster siblings go " all bridge player on deck " and grab grasp of the Wizard ’s staff to gain their power . It ’s also here where one of the most subtle joke lands for mirthful fan .
Billy learn the kids to do as he did , and " say my name " to have the lightning give them powers , too . But when the kids utter Billy ’s name , he decline them , explaining it ’s Shazam ’s name that has the trick . In the original comics Billy turn Freddy Freeman into a zep first . As " Captain Marvel , Jr. " Freddy acquire his powers from Billy indirectly , meaning he actually would take to abuse " Captain Marvel ! " to derive his own . In hindsight , it ’s a weird pecking order , so the movie is right to say so .
3. Justice League Actor Do-Overs
Seeing Adam Brody appear as the " grown up " reading of Freddy Freeman is deserving the terms of accession alone , as millions of watcher abruptly remember who role player Jack Dylan Grazer ’s funniness reminds them of . But the transformation in reality gives Brody his 2d luck to join the DC Universe – and he ’s not alone .
Back when theater director Frank Miller was seek to get hisJustice League : Mortalmovie off the ground and filming in Australia , Brody was already on set up ready to play The Flash . The picture has the ballyhoo draw before cameras could start rolling , which also meant that DJ Cotrona – who play the muscle bound adult version of Pedro – didn’t get to play Superman , either . Oh well , 2nd time is the charm .
2. The Superman (Theme) Surprise
Most die - hard rooter caught a hint or two of Superman ’s cameo in the terminal panorama before the movie formally release . And while the doer in the suit is never shown , there are a few inside information to note . For starters , the Superman courtship has been changed from Justice League and Batman v Superman , featuring more red around the hips and ' whack ' than when Henry Cavill wore it .
But the bigger treat for rooter is the introduction of John Williams ' classical theme song for the Man of Steel . Director David F. Sandberg maintain that he did n’t use the music clue during the miniature battle between Batman and Superman as a leak prevue suggested . But he does employ it in this net musical rhythm , although subtle enough to overleap .
1. Mr. Mind’s Post-Credits Scene
referee will have to forgive us , since we ’re still trying to serve the fact that theShazam!movie not only end with the introduction of Mr. Mind , skipper mental manipulating caterpillar … but that it keeps completely close to the comics . mighty down to the voice box seat he uses to communicate with his target – we mean his pardner , Dr. Sivana . How did he get by to escape the Rock of Eternity and make it to Sivana ’s prison house cell go at the rate of a regular caterpillar ? Do n’t require . Because seeing him speak through a robotlike speaker unit is incredible . But getting to hear it ? That isglorious .
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MORE : Everything We Know About Shazam 2
