Shazam is quite the unique superhero. Rather than a man or women being born with their abilities or gaining them through some accident or pure smarts, Shazam is a little boy who gets turned into a super-powered adult man by a wizard. Needless to say, there is a little bit of weight to that wizard role for the upcoming Shazam! film.

So who did DC have fill this unique role? Djimon Hounsou, who audiences may recognize from films like Blood Diamond or Guardians of the Galaxy. Speaking of which, his Guardians character is also returning in next year’s Captain Marvel, which is pretty cool. This means that Hounsou will actually be playing key roles in both the MCU and DCEU in the same year, and I’m not sure that’s ever happened.

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Originally set to play the character was This Is Us‘ Ron Cephas Jones, but he had to step down due to a scheduling conflict. This kinda bums me out because I think Jones gives off more of a wizard-y look, but Hounsou isn’t a bad pick, and I can see him giving the character quite the unexpected edge.

Filming for Shazam! has already wrapped, and is one of two DC films in the can, the first being Aquaman. Perhaps moreso than Aquaman, Shazam! will be an indication of whether or not the DCEU can really survive after the blunder that was Justice League.

Are you excited to see Hounsou take on the role of the wizard? Sound off down below!

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SOURCE: EW