Birch, Johns to pen WB's 'Shazam!'

Warner Bros has hired Bill Birch and Geoff Johns to pen the script for its Shazam! adaptation, says Variety.

Based on the DC Comics character, the movie will centre on teen Billy Batson who is able to transform into a superhero when he says the word 'Shazam' out loud.

Peter Segal (Get Smart) is attached to direct the movie and will act as producer alongside his Callahan Filmworks production company partner Michael Ewing.

Segal first started the work on the movie at New Line three years ago and renewed his interest when the studio merged with Warner Bros. John August and William Goldman have previosuly written drafts of the script.