New Line Cinema is reportedly in talks with David F. Sandberg to direct the long-in-development “Shazam" film adaptation, according to The Wrap.

Sandberg is best known for his directorial work on the 2016 supernatural horror film "Lights Out." The film is based on his 2013 horror short of the same name and New Line has already greenlit a sequel to the project. The filmmaker is also directing another horror movie, "Annabelle 2," for New Line.

In development at New Line since the early 2000s, “Shazam” has passed through the hands of several writers, including William Goldman, John August, Darren Lenke, Geoff Johns and Billy Birch. Peter Segal was at one point attached to direct, but revealed in 2013 that the project had stalled, at least in part due to the resurgence of Superman on the big screen.

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Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is set to co-star as Shazam's enemy and anti-hero Black Adam. Warner Bros. announced in January that Johnson will also star in a "Black Adam" solo film. So far, an actor has not been cast as the hero Shazam.

Previously referred to as Captain Marvel, Shazam was created by Bill Parker and C.C. Beck and debuted in "Whiz Comics" #2 in 1940. Young Billy Batson becomes the titular hero by speaking the magical word "Shazam" and is transformed into an adult body with the powers of flight, strength, and speed, along with other abilities.

“Shazam” is scheduled to arrive in theaters April 5, 2019.