Zachary Levi’s Shazam Being Recast In The DC Universe?
Zachary Levi has confirmed that he will not be recast as Shazam in the DC Universe.
Don’t worry, Zachary Levi isn’t going anywhere. The latest shakeup in management at DC Studios has many DC fans worried about their favorite comic book heroes, but according to Collider, Zachary Levi will still be returning in Shazam! Fury of the Gods. “Oooh, I really wouldn’t go believing everything you see on the internet,” the actor told a fan on Twitter. He added, “I’m Gucci, Ash. We all Gucci.”
There have been a lot of rumors about the Shazam franchise being reworked, since, to be honest, it seems like just about every other DC project is being reworked under new co-chair and co-CEO James Gunn. But it turns out that they were just that: rumors.
Zachary Levi himself cleared things up, saying that he will continue to play Shazam for this latest and any other upcoming Shazam films, which is great for fans, who were ready to go to war when they thought that he was going to be recast. “Shazam is [t]he ONE thing in the DCEU I would absolutely throw hands for to protect,” said one fan, after which they added that Levi was “perfection.”
Since October, some huge projects like Wonder Woman 3 have been discarded as Gunn and Peter Safran attempt to change the direction DC Studios is heading in. This is said to be an attempt to get a handle on a studio that has been described as “chaotic” in the past. Even Henry Cavill’s Superman wasn’t safe from this restructuring, but luckily, recasting Zachary Levi doesn’t seem to be in the picture for now.
Zachary Levi’s Shazam! is one of DC Studio’s most positively rated films, seeing more good reviews than bad. The story is much more lighthearted than a lot of DC’s other fare and follows the story of a young boy named Billy Batson who can turn into the stronger, more handsome, and more superheroic Shazam by just saying the word “Shazam!”
In the first film, Billy must learn how to handle his new powers… and must figure out how to stop turning into Zachary Levi at random times. He must also connect with his foster siblings and let others help him to be the hero he is meant to be.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods will see the return of Billy and his foster siblings (who also turn into adult superheroes at will) as they fight the Daughters of Atlas, who are attempting to use a weapon that could potentially destroy the planet. Zachary Levi’s Shazam must also make peace with the Gods because Billy has been taking his powers for granted and not appreciating them as he should.
Aside from Zachary Levi, this sequel will also see actors Jack Dylan Grazer, Ian Chen, Faith Herman, Grace Fulton, and Djimon Hounsou return, as well as Asher Angel, who played young Billy Batson in the first film. New stars joining the project include Lucy Liu, Rachel Zegler, and Helen Mirren. The script was written by Chris Morgan and Henry Gayden, with David F. Sandberg both directing and producing the film.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods will premiere on March 17, 2023, with Zachary Levi in the starring role.
