The latest from Warner Bros. & DC Films -and one of my favorite movies of 2019- SHAZAM! (now in theaters) is relentlessly fun adventure for the whole family.

I recently had the pleasure to talk to one of the young stars of the film, Asher Angel, who plays the courageous and smart Billy Batson.

The film, directed by David F. Sandberg (Annabelle: Creation, Lights Out), also stars Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, and Jack Dylan Grazer.

How did you feel when getting the news that you were chosen to play Billy?

It was unreal. I’ve just finished my last audition and I was heading to the airport. I came out of the bathroom, and member of my family were hugging and jumping around. I asked them “Guys, what is happening?” They told me that I had gotten the part, and that was amazing!

How fast did you, Zachary and Jack achieved this great chemistry?

We did a bunch of fun activities in Toronto for 3 months, incursions and what not. Zachary and I play the same character, so we got together with our director, David F. Sandberg, and went over the script. The good thing is that we already shared mannerisms and he has the energy of a 14-year-old boy.

Was it surprising to see the funny and light side of David F. Sandberg, a director known primarily for horror?

It was very surprising. I have seen “Lights Out” and “Annabelle: Creation,” and he incorporated some of those creepy moments in this movie. I think that it is amazing how he started to create his own content in Sweden, and then he was noticed by a huge company like Warner Bros. We love him!

Mark Strong is a very menacing presence as Dr. Sivana. How was it working with him?

I have watched many of his movies, so when we met I was like “Hey, I am Asher. Please don’t kill me!” But he was nice in his British accent… Mark is the sweetest guy you’ll ever meet.

Was there something that really caught your attention, while researching the comics for this movie?

There were many things that made an impression on me, but what I like the most is that people can feel something after watching our film. Centering on these foster kids makes it different and special. They are so relatable!

There are noticeable influences from 80’s movies. Did David encourage you guys to watch some of them?

Absolutely. “Shazam!” is like “Big” mixed with a superhero movie. There is also some “Goonies” vibe in there. Re-watching some of those films was very helpful for us!

SHAZAM!

Was there a scene that was especially hard for you guys to keep a straight face while filming it?

Most of my scenes with Jack, for example at the school. It took like three hours to shoot one scene just because we couldn’t stop laughing. We had so much fun together!

If you could pick one superhero from the DC universe to share a scene with in a potential sequel, who would it be?

I believe that The Flash and Billy will really get along. They could have great chemistry so I would be psyched to seeing them together.

SHAZAM! is now playing in theaters nationwide.

We all have a superhero inside us, it just takes a bit of magic to bring it out. In Billy Batson’s case, by shouting out one word – SHAZAM! – this streetwise 14-year-old foster kid can turn into the adult superhero Shazam.