Finally, the first trailer for Shazam! is here but we don’t get to see a lot of Mark Strong as Thadius Sivana except for a shot of the villain facing off Shazam. Fortunately, EW’s recent Comic-con Bonus issue shared some insight on Dr. Sivana’s backstory.

We all know that Dr. Sivana is a mastermind villain who can be compared to the likes of Lex Luthor. Though in the comics, Dr. Sivana only has the power of science at his disposal. The movie version has given him an upgrade and has also made changes to his backstory.

In this new version, Dr. Sivana also encountered the Wizard when he was a kid but it doesn’t look like things went his way as after being rejected, Sivana spends his life searching for a way to gain the abilities of Shazam!. It seems like his search for power comes from his desire to live up to the expectation of a domineering father.

Though rejected by the Wizard, Dr. Sivana still seems to have other abilities up his sleeves as the article states that he also acquires magical powers. While the trailer doesn’t show the villain using his magic abilities, some of the set photos did show him take on Shazam! and also have the upper hand against the superhero.

In the new 52 continuity, Dr. Sivana got a slight upgrade as one of his eyes had the ability to see magic. The trailer confirms that the villain’s right eye will grant him this ability. but it looks like the movie version goes a step ahead and grants him the power to use magic as well. It will be interesting to see what form of magic Dr. Sivana will use against Shazam! in the movie.

it will also interesting to see how far the movie will explore Shazam! and his abilities. From the trailer, it looks like he’s still getting trying to get a hang of these powers.

Shazam! hits theaters on April 9, 2019.

Source: EW