Shazam! is the next DC property that is coming to the big screen, and horror director David Sandberg is set to helm the production. Sandberg, known for his horror movies such as Annabelle: Creation and Lights Out, is not the first DC director to go from horror movie roots to a comic book movie — Sandberg shares that honor with Aquaman director James Wan. Sandberg's latest movie Annabelle: Creation premiered on Monday and ET Online asked him about the upcoming DC property:

"It's very fun, lighthearted movie. It's about a kid who gets to become an adult superhero, so that's just gonna be so fun to explore."

Shazam! is a unique story that we haven't seen yet in modern superhero movies. Instead of an adult getting powers, we get to see a kid get powers that turn him into an adult. There are a lot of implications with a power like that, and it's one that will set Shazam! apart from other superhero movies. If there was ever a movie that DC needed to make sure appealed to the younger audience, it's this one. Kids are going to love that concept.

Sandberg went on to reiterate that he did not grow up with this character, but he thinks that's a good thing:

"To be honest, it was not a superhero I grew up with either. When I grew up in Sweden, there wasn't a lot of Shazam around. So it's someone who I've learned to love later in life as well, so I can relate to [people who are] new to Shazam. I think [it] might be a good thing that I'm doing it, because I know what you need to learn."

While it's important to bring in fans when it comes to adapting superhero comics to movies, it's just as important, if not more so, to bring in new fans. Sandberg believes he's the man for this movie because he is a new fan.

As for casting? Sandberg says we should get some exciting updates "hopefully soon."

Summary: A boy is given the ability to become an adult superhero in times of need with a single magic word.

Shazam!, directed by David Sandberg, will be written by Henry Gayden. It will be released on April 5th, 2019.