INTERVIEW: Shazam Producer
Although not speaking in an official capacity for New Line, movie producer Michael Uslan revealed a few tidbits about the upcoming SHAZAM! film...
Although not speaking in an official capacity for New Line, movie producer Michael Uslan revealed a few tidbits about the upcoming SHAZAM! film...
MFW: Will there be any announcements concerning the film coming from New Line in the near future?
MU: Yes, as events warrant
MFW: Is the film still on track for late summer 2004 or Christmas 2005?
MU: After Summer 2004
MFW: Will the movie be a period piece or will it take place modern day?
MU: Modern day
MFW: Will the movie be a serious take on the character or will it be a comedy?
MU: It will capture the spirit magnificently created by C.C. Beck, Bill Parker, Otto Binder, et al
MFW: Is there anything that you call tell me about the film at this early stage?
MU: Scripting is on-going. Everybody is excited. Fans have to sit tight and wait for official word from New Line on news.
Michael was also kind enough enough to answer a few questions about his background with Captain Marvel.
MFW: I read your foreword in Shazam! Archives #3. I'm pretty impressed that you and your friend were able to track down Otto Binder. You mention that Fawcett had closed their comic book publishing arm before you were able to read. How were you introduced to the Captain Marvel character (was it the "Back-date magazine" guy)?
MU: Saw an old coverless Captain Marvel comic book at the barber shop when I was little. Then, in seventh grade, I joined comic book fandom and read all about him in "The Rocket Blast/Comicollector". Then, I bought a copy of George Pal"s Puppetoons #1 for 5 cents at a flea market and had my first comic book with Cap on the cover. Then, I started collecting old Fawcett comics. Roy Thomas' Alter-Ego #7 and 8 back in the 60's tipped me off that Otto binder lived in my home state of NJ and Bob Klein and I arranged to interview him for a "Fawcett story" fanzine we were planning. You can read the rest of our story in Bill Schelly’s great new book on Otto binder on sale next week.
MFW: You must have been pretty impressed with Captain Marvel to track down Otto Binder. How did you discover that he had written the majority of Captain Marvel stories?
MU: Otto educated me about everything Captain Marvel and Fawcett and put me in touch with C.C. Beck, Will Lieberson, Wendell Crowley and others.