Zachary Levi set to take on the starring role in the upcoming Lionsgate drama The Unbreakable Boy

Zachary Levi set to take on the starring role in the upcoming Lionsgate family drama The Unbreakable Boy

Zachary Levi will be starring in the upcoming family drama The Unbreakable Boy, set to be produced by Lionsgate.

The project is based on the 2014  book of the same title written by Scott M. LeRette with Susy Flory.

The film will follow the story of Austin, an 18-year-old boy with a rare bone disease and autism, who keeps a notably optimistic worldview that is imparted to his father, who comes to see his son as more than he appears to be.

Making waves: Zachary Levi has signed on for the starring role in the upcoming Lionsgate drama The Unbreakable Boy; seen here in 2019

According to Deadline, the film is set to be written and directed by Jon Gunn, who has worked on numerous faith-themed projects in the past.

Levi, 40, began his career by appearing in smaller roles on the big and small screens, with roles in movies such as Big Momma’s House 2 and Spiral, along with shows including The Division and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

The actor’s first major recurring role was on the ABC sitcom Less Than Perfect, where he portrayed the acerbic and arrogant network assistant Kipp Steadman; the show ran for four seasons.

The Louisiana-born actor’s breakout moment came when he landed the starring part on the NBC spy comedy Chuck, where he portrayed the eponymous character. 

Source material: The story follows a teenage boy who inspires others around him to become bigger than themselves

Source material: The story follows a teenage boy who inspires others around him to become bigger than themselves

The series was comprised of five seasons that were broadcasted from 2007 until 2012 and was noted for its devoted fanbase, which brought the show back from the brink of cancellation on multiple occasions.

For his role on the show, Levi received a positive critical reception and was the recipient of a Teen Choice Award in 2010 for Best Action Actor.

After the show’s ending, the actor made forays into stage acting, where he took on roles in the Broadway musicals She Loves Me and First Date.

The See Jane Date actor has also taken on various voice acting parts, notably for the video games Halo: Reach and Fallout: New Vegas. 

Fan favorite: Levi starred in the spy comedy Chuck for five seasons; the actor is seen here in 2019

Fan favorite: Levi starred in the spy comedy Chuck for five seasons; the actor is seen here in 2019

Recently, the actor has been seen in high-profile parts in various superhero movies, beginning with 2013’s Thor: The Dark World, where he portrayed swashbuckling romantic Fandral; he reprised his role for the film’s 2017 sequel.

In 2019, Levi appeared in the superhero comedy Shazam! as the alternate form of Billy Batson, a 14-year-old boy who is given the power to transform into a superhuman at will.

The film was based off of the DC Comics character Captain Marvel and was helmed by Lights Out director David F. Sandberg. 

The film received widespread critical acclaim and grossed $366 million at the box office; a sequel with the tentative title Shazam! Fury of the Gods is currently in development. 

Making strides: The actor received positive critical reception for appearance as the title character in Shazam!; the Chuck actor is seen at the 2019 MTV Movie and TV Awards

Making strides: The actor received positive critical reception for appearance as the title character in Shazam!; the Chuck actor is seen at the 2019 MTV Movie and TV Awards