I think Billy did get that choice you want him to get, just now WHERE you expected it. His choice that is based around the lesson(s) of the movie is when he chooses to share his powers with his foster family siblings. That is his big moment of really choosing a family that accepts him rather than trying to cling to the one he used to have.

“You’re the one whose out, Sivana. Out of your mind.”

This additional scene has a lot of merit, though I think one thing that would make Sivana feel more complete... well, seven more things, is the Deadly Sins being more colorful. Literally, maybe even coded according to their classical depictions. And lean more into what sort of... telepathy, empathetic abilities they grant him. Like, the scene where he feds his father to Greed? The sins literally are choosing who they want devour, who appeals to them, who (from their POV) belong to them. So, when Sivana has that brief confrontation with Freddy? Well at first Freddy has that hilarious "You're trying to read my mind, I won't let you read my mind, my mind is totally blank-" "Child," Sivana says with immeasurable disdain, "I don't have to read your mind, even if I could find it. I can read your soul." And behind Sivana, that same noxious grey fog starts turning green and the resentful, conniving, fiendish face of Envy appears, whispering into Sivana's ear. "Ah yes... all that power that should have been yours, you who know so much about heroes... believe me, I know how it is to see someone so unworthy be given what should be yours... where is he now?" Frightened, and deeply ashamed, Freddy says nothing. "No matter..." Sivana says, frogmarching Freddy out of the mall. "I know where he'll be."

Wasn't Mark Strong also Sinestro? Wow, it really is all connected...

7:55 The bg music cutting out when Billy says "That's creepy" killed me

Nando: I love how this movie won't traumatize a kid and shatter their world view. It isn't too serious Also Nando: Family let you down. Every time.

I hope David F. Sandberg actually sees this (which is actually pretty likely since I’ve seen him commenting on other videos about Shazam!)

I think this change works really well. It definitely accomplishes what it's seeking to do. That being said, I'm personally not a fan of the fact that it hinges on the *"We're not so different, you and I"* trope. Just my opinion. Great video regardless.

This feels very "tell, don't show" in it's current form. I think all of these things are shown in how they interact. Billy wants to share the power and save his family, Sivana wants personal revenge and more power. We see that yes they are similar, but they diverged due to their upbringings and values.

Great video! Adding in this scene really not only improves the pacing into act three and really rounds out Billy’s arc, but also adds a little more depths to Sivana, who I agree was pretty flat. Something I wish the movie addressed more was what it means to be “worthy”. And I feel like the character of Dr. Sivana could’ve said something interesting about this. I can only imagine how traumatizing it must’ve been for Sivana to be told by the wizard that he is not good enough to be his champion, especially as a child. It’s been a little while since I’ve seen Shazam, but I do remember when Sivana meets Billy for the first time, Sivana asking him “What makes you so worthy?”. However, the movie never really brings up this question of worth again. Sivana actually has a good point. Up until this point, Billy has only used his powers for fortune and fame. Billy is also completely reckless with his powers, almost killing all those people on the bus. It must kill Sivana that the wizard chose Billy over him. If the movie focused on this a bit more, it would’ve made Sivana so much more interesting, because he’s kind of right. This theme of worth also plays into how both Billy and Sivana were mistreated by their families. They don’t understand why they weren’t good enough. Anyways, your small change was fantastic, and I know this was a lot, but I would love to hear what you think!

I don’t think it would be in character for Billy Batson to hold a grand speech. But if the dialogue was better this change sounds pretty good.

I’d argue Billy’s big choice is opening himself up to his new family by sharing his power with them

Ok alternate alternate version. Dr Sirvana takes Billy’s foster family hostage before he meets his mom. And the choice is he can either see his mom or save them and he chooses his new family and has to give up meeting her.

I wish after the scene with his mother, on his way out of the building, Billy runs into Tawky Tawny in his human form and reminds Billy why Shazam (the wizard) chose him. And then the phone rings.

This would have made the movie's great message so much more powerful

I find the exchange “You give me ultimate power, I give you what you want” cheezy. If the villain gets ultimate power what’s then to stop him from transforming the reality into a world where what I want can no longer safely exist? I just don’t see the temptation in accepting the offer of an unreliable villain if I know his actions will result in the loss of what I got anyway. Yes, Billy gets his familly, but for how long before Sivana makes life for everyone unbearable? You know, just like Darth Vader altered the deal and made Lando hope he would not alter it further. If we do not have a villain that has at least some morals and is shown to be able to keep his word then the decision is a no-brainer.

I’d love to be invited to the party that goes on in your brain.

One thing that kinda annoyed me tho: the sins are all very big grey villain

2:51 I love the part where the marvel family is revealed and Freddie is flying and he's so happy and him and billy share huge smiles. It's just 😍😭😍. So good.

An element to the new 52 comics that could both made Sivana more three dimensional and further the parallels between him and Billy is that Sivana had a wife and kids. That new family he had was dying so he was searching for a magical solution to save their lives. Could see how the eyes and sins tempt and corrupt him into acting upon his dark desires for power and revenge.

Huh, I never noticed that when young Sivana looks back the reflection in his glasses is where the eye will be. Dumb, but neat.

When I heard about how Sivana went about stealing the wizard's power and the sin demons, I realized they'd turned Sivana into Sabbac, one of the "evil version of Cap: villains who, frankly, looks like Sivana.

Shazam really doesn't get enough credit. There is no movie in the past decade nearly as heartwarming to watch.

The first two minutes of this video are just making me wanna rewatch Shazam haha

Make gritty a sleeper agent whose on Shazam’s side but doesn’t realize it’s not a mascot convention

Never have the villain say "We are alike" or any variation. Just have him tell the story about his dad not wanting him. Billy (And the audience) will recognize the similarities without hamfistedly whacking us in the head with it.

I find it funny that you bring up Dr Doom when discussing Mark Strong's acting chops. Strong is actually my fan casting for Victor Von Doom.

I'm not a fan of how you made Sivana know what happened with Billy's mother. "I can see glimpses of what you see." Why did it take him so long to find Billy if he can see some of what he sees? He'd most likely know that Billy can turn between child and adult, so the part where Billy escapes in the mall would make no sense (or just be unreasonably convenient that Sivana knows exactly, but exclusively, what he needs to know for the plot to work because magic). Great idea to have the moment last a little longer, but not so great execution

I can’t believe someone on Letterboxd called this movie, “Deadpool lite” 😓

If I could make one small change to your one small change, I would set this confrontation inside the apartment building. It gives Billy a good reason not to immediately transform, the tight space might give it a bit more tension and create a stronger visual representation (turn around and go back to your mom, or push through the obstacle forward towards your new family), and most importantly, means we can keep that incredible shot of Billy jumping off the roof and transforming mid-air 😅

I wish the Seven Deadly Sins weren’t all monochrome CGI monsters. Like some overpaid graphic designer went out of their way to make them visually unique, except even with that they’re virtually interchangeable in the movie. I think none of the scenes with any of the Sins would have gone differently if any Sin save Envy had been replaced with *any other Sin, save Envy*, and even Envy’s only bit of characterization is, “lol, he smol.”

Last time I was this early, Billy Batson wasn’t an orphan

As much as I want Billy want to have a real choice. This isn't it. The thing is Sivana never knew what Billy Batson looks like. Even in the foster home, there was no photo of him. He's kinda like a ghost. So it doesn't makes sense for Sivana talking to Billy in the first place.

Someone please share this until it reaches David! That would be THE collab

Re Sivana in the comics: well, for one thing, he doesn't have Shazam powers typically. I think the first time was in a crossover with Superman (back when Cap and the Marvel family lived in the Earth-S dimension, pre-Crisis. ...um, the first Crisis. Not the other ones.) He's kind of a madder-than-thou scientist over-against Luthor, willing to mess with things Luthor would leave alone. Thus, for example, how he gets Shazam powers in the crossover! Sivana in the film takes the modern-Luthor route of being a scientific genius and businessman (more the former than the latter in this case), but also willing to mess with magic more, though he has a plot explanation built-in for the film. (Which is admittedly a nice touch.) Personalitywise, however, Marc Strong's Sivana is not typical: Sivana has survived so long as a distinct character (rather than only a Luthor clone) by being GLORIOUSLY unhinged -- like a combination of Luthor with the Joker. Strong's Sivana is a cold, ruthless terminator, which is a little odd because the seven sins ought to be affecting his personality more. Comics Sivana wouldn't be affected because he's already at maximum wackiness.

I just watched this movie for the first time last night! I am so glad you released this today. I agree entirely, I was left loving the movie but wishing the conversation that Billy initiated with Sivana about there similarities actually went somewhere. Thanks Nando, you rock!

Even when i think movies are perfect Nando comes in and says, “But it _can_ be better!”

Shazam is great, always love seeing videos on it especially new ones

Agree with you, Sivana definitely needed more depth as he was just a cliche bad guy

oh I see your point but I'm not a huge fan of the execution, I feel like Shazam is the type of movie that would make fun of the whole "we're not so different you and I" cliche instead of using it

alternate title: Summoning a Sivana Solution

Are we not gonna acknowledge the way he says Vasquez? 😭😭😭😭 But fr fr this is a good change

I absolutely love this change! I can picture it perfectly!

I was thinking to myself how nice the tiger plushie in this scene 2:37 was probably a reference to Tawky Tawny and just noticed how there is a Tiger symbol on the thingys that holds Captain Marvel’s cape. Great detail!

Mr. V Movies, if someone hasn't mentioned this in a comment, Captain Marvel's appearance in the comics (certainly how Alex Ross depicts him) has often said to be based on American actor Fred MacMurray, who was popular in the 40s and 50s. You wondered abut specifics of his appearance in your nebula+ segment, and I thought this might be a helpful tidbit. (edit): Forgot to say, great video as usual! Thanks for all your hard work entertaining and en-thinkening us!

Not to nitpick, but while Ive never been on a SEPTA train, I am very confident that that is a TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) subway with a SEPTA poster slapped onto it.

Woop woop! Fresh Nando content on a Saturday night.

This one of your best changes, Nando.

When Nando said “little billy batson” all I heard was “poor Peter Parker”

I very much enjoyed that exchange between Billy and Sivana! Great stuff!

Dang, brody, this was so awesomely written!

I like how Nado at 1:10 said SEPTA train while in the video it's a clip of a TTC T1 Train

This is the movie that, if I was 13 when it came out, would be my favorite superhero movie

Bro, If I was a movie story writer, I would definitely have you by my side. Are you kidding me? You elevated the story significantly by adding one simple, yet deep, modification to the story! I salute you, man. Keep up the good work 💪

The one other thing I’d change is I’d like a conversation between Billy and Shazam. It’s something that would’ve been perfect for me and I hope that they do in later movies.

I really love this version of Sivana. He is manipulative, cunning, and also have some more depth. He can connect with our protagonist even more especially in the roof scene

Yess for the additional part 👍🏽👍🏽💯

Thanks for uploading this. It's been a depressing day because of a certain anniversary.

The one thing I always say about Shazam is the mother plot is great. Hollywood is pretty cool with deadbeat dad stories going either way, but they always give the mother some excuse and I was expecting this to be more of the same. So it was refreshing see something more realistic, the person who hasn't been in his life for 10 years probably wasn't looking for him, probably isn't good for him.

Makes a big improvement in the second act transition

His name is CAPTAIN SPARKLEFINGERS.

the sin sivana sends out after billy obviously would be pride, given how the film was going and especially after the talk they just had

Yoooooo!!! You’re from Philly?! That’s awesome! Go Birds!

didn’t know Nandi was a fellow philadelphian. love to see it

great job keep it up

This is great! The smaller the change, the easier they fit into head canon. I will now remember the movie this way 👍

I’d like Saber, his comic assistant, to fight one of the Shazam Family members after they quickly beat their demon. Also I want humanoid Tiger because furries Edit: I want to clarify that I want Saber to appear, because Sivana isn’t the type of villain that can be fought multiple times like the Legion of Doom, so I think his assistant who turns to ash at the beginning could’ve lived, and then he could’ve used the demons’ powers to make her work with him

I knew nothing about Shazam before the movie got trailers but did research so I could talk like an expert to associates and now he's my favourite DC character second only overall to Spider-Man. DC does him dirty, they just don't know what they have.

Welp, guess I gotta get Nebula to see Nando talk about one of my favourite comics

You’re rewrites are 9 out of 10 times SPOT ON!

Great video

the billys mom thing was brutal

That was an excellent suggestion

I think it's fine that Billy doesn't get to make a choice. Sometimes that's just life and the real test of character is if you can meet that non-choice head-on and stand-up to it. He just got his butt kicked by this guy and was at an emotionally low place, then life didn't relent and instead of giving up, he man'd up. Just my thoughts.

mark strong is also good as the butler in cruella. he lives up to the 3 act character story arc.

Don't wanna burst your bubble, but that train you love? That's a Toronto subway train. The station too is also in Toronto. I recognized them immediately.

Shazam is my favorite hero, and Sivana is my favorite villain. The Sivana I wanted to see in this movie was the O.G. mad scientist. Put magic vs tech. Get us a good old fashion doomsday weapon. Like you can keep the origin for Sivana, how he wasn't pure enough for magic, and that's what led him down the path of science. That's just something I wanted to see. Otherwise, this movie was freaking fantastic.

My one gripe with this movie is that Billy Batson didn’t feel like a kid. I understand his circumstances, but the actor who played him had pretty much all of the very serious scenes. Now Shazam (obviously despite physically looking like an adult) felt like an actual kid. But in all honesty, Billy and Shazam felt like two completely different characters and I don’t buy them being the same person. (Yes obviously they’re played by 2 different actors, but the point is that both Billy and Shazam are the same person and that person is a kid/teenager.)

I would personally change the Seven Deadly Sins. Instead of having them be CGI I would rather have actual actors portray them

You're the third youtuber this week to tell me you ALSO live in philly. Where ARE ALL OF YOU

I don't think the villain was a problem. delivered what it needed to do

3:47 Now that you mentioned Spider-Man, can you do a video on theories for No Way Home and how Raimi Goblin and Doc Ock will fit into the movie with destroying their arcs in the original?

Dude. I had no idea you were in Philly. Philly bros represent!

When did Nando start saying that "Love that..."

What was that documentary called? I was watching the video at double speed so I couldn't quite make it out.

No if you want evil gods to fight Shazam, there’s is only one god from Philadelphia that’s needs to cameo. One god, the golden god! Be gone vile man, be gone!

I would have preferred Sivana use science in his first appearance rather than another superhero movie where the hero and villain have identical powers. It would have given more opportunities to show the imagination and sadism lurking inside Sivana's mind.

2:45 I hope that Tawky Tawny gets to show up in the next movie. Fingers crossed they make a next movie.

I didn't know Nando was from Philly too!

I was afraid this would too drastically change plot details but nope, this is perfect!

I actually wouldn't have minded if Billy gave into temptation and chose to give up his powers, thinking that he doesn't know how to work them anyway and how low his self-esteem is in this moment, I mean, if he didn't know this dude was a villain, then this truly would have been an all is lost moment, and it could have fit more closely to Spider-Man Far From Home's beat where he gives up the glasses, and that way Billy can see he made a big mistake; and wants to fix it; which I guess is also the same beat of The Amazing Spiderman where they create their villain, and that beat works for a reason; anyways he realizes that he now hurt the family who did choose him, and becomes resolved in his realization of why the Wizard chose him, he now believes in himself :p

Oooooh I love getting in early.

Please do a pitch video for Shazam and Mr. Mind. If not thanks for all the videos

I hate how a little 5 minute scene could seriously improve a movie. Maybe they could add it in an extended cut.

I keep telling myself "Don't watch the Nando videos about the movies you like. They'll always seem a little lesser because they don't have these changes." And yet I can't quit you.

I think you missed the trick on this go. Still a good vid, but Billy makes his choice before the call comes. "I have to get back to my real family" followed by giving away the compass, because he knows his way now.

It’s a shame that they are not doing the Monster Society for the sequel

wow ive never been this early to anything

Hey babe wake up, new Nando rewrite just dropped.

I loved a lot about this movie, but it did irritate me that they went to the well of Villain Is A Dark Reflection Of The Hero *again* , down to the power set, when there was no real reason to.