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, Jack Dylan Grazer, who plays the geeky and charming Freddy Freeman.

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

Is “Shazam” a Christmas movie? Can we include it in those list of films to watch every Holiday Season?

I would love that. It is a Christmas movie as much as “Die Hard” or “Gremlins” is a Christmas movie. It is not a “Christmas story,” but it takes place during Christmas.

You, Asher Angel and Zachary Levi have great chemistry. How fast did you guys connect?

It happened very fast. We clicked immediately. I was nervous at the beginning. I don’t usually get nervous, but this felt like a great opportunity for me and I wanted to prove myself. But that passed, and we became really good friends.

Can you talk about the exciting idea of a kid becoming a superhero?

This is why actors act, to have the opportunity to play characters like these. This movie is a dream come true for me.

Talking about the director, David F. Sandberg… What was the most helpful piece of direction, or advice that he gave you?

I really love him! He gives you so much free range. He would say to us “Forget the lines! Forget the papers! I want you to say what you think Freddy and Billy would say.” That was very helpful for us.

How much of a comic-book nerd are you right now?

I have always been intrigued by the comic-book culture, and I wanted to be part of it, but I never could find the time. Freddy knows a lot about it so I wanted to learn as much as I could to feel confident. I did a deep dive into the DC universe and the Fawcett Comics from the 40’s and 30’s.

Are we seeing the real-life Zachary Levi when we see the character Shazam?

There was zero challenge for him to play this character. No, I am kidding! [Laughs] He is a 14-year-old boy trapped in a man’s body. It was really awesome to work with an actor like that.

There are some horror elements in a few scenes. How scary do you think they get?

They are pretty scary, but not enough to give you nightmares. It is a realistic superhero movie, but those are fantastical elements. I believe that kids over 6 should be fine.

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.