While the DC Cinematic Universe continues to move along the track, making copious amounts of money as it goes, Warner Bros. and DC continue to fight an uphill battle in regards to how their movies are received from a critical standpoint.

That makes films that are not based on a proven property a risky move, and that includes the constantly rumoured Shazam project that will include The Rock as the villainous Black Adam. Johnson and his producing partner Dany Garcia will be heavily involved in all aspects of the project though, and they truly want to make the film and the character of Captain Marvel work on screen (via Newsweek).

“Shazam! is to live in the same world [as the other films] but we have incredible autonomy over this brand and franchise. We are working with a different team, different producers, directors… it’s a different set-up."

When asked about the inevitable comparisons to previous DC films Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad, the success or failure of those movies doesn't seem to have much bearing on Shazam.

“We don’t feel fettered by, or constrained by, the successes or failures and challenges of the other projects. That was a key component to our participation—that we be able to control the tone and the voice, and do it the way we want to.”

Their approach to Captain Marvel's world is to fit into the overall DC Cinematic Universe, but not necessarily as closely as other heroes like Aquaman, Wonder Woman, and The Flash.

“It needs to be of the world,” says Garcia. “You’ve got Justice League, Wonder Woman with a different director, so you’re going to see different points of view. I think by the time we land with [Shazam!] we’ll fit nicely within the world that’s been created, but not such a shorthand relationship. [It’ll be] enough that people say, ‘Oh, this is within the family,’ but the culture will be a little different.”

“We’ve got so many wonderful superhero franchises out there… we don’t need to run away from them and say ‘we can’t be that,’ but it’s important to understand what are the best aspects of a Batman [movie] versus Avengers versus Deadpool? What are the elements people are responding to? We want to move the needle.”

It seems like Garcia and Johnson are in the right frame of mind to deliver a great rendition of Shazam, and hopefully, we'll see more movement on the project soon.

Shazam! is slated for release on April 5th, 2019.