Zachary Levi featuring Shazam! Fury of the Gods was released last week in theatres, and the film has received an average response from critics. However, the same cannot be said about its performance at the box office. The sequel had a dismal $30.5 million opening weekend, making it one of the worst films released under the DC Universe. The opening weekend collection is far behind the first film, which had a $53.5 million domestic opening.
And considering that the director has said that the future of the character depends on the film’s reception, it could not be a good sign for Levi’s future under James Gunn’s DCU. However, the Shazam! star still has high hopes for his character’s future in the new DC Universe.
Zachary Levi on His Future in the New DCU
James Gunn wreaked havoc among DC fans when he announced that he is planning to reboot DCU after the events of The Flash. However, the co-CEO also said that it would be a soft reboot, leaving a ray of hope for the remaining cast, including Jason Momoa’s Aquaman, Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman, and Zachary Levi’s Shazam.
The Chuck star has also been optimistic about his future in James Gunn’s DCU. And Gunn has also hinted that he could consider involving Shazam in his plans for the superhero franchise. During his interview with Entertainment Weekly, Levi also mentioned that “the idea is to continue the character” and “this world,” which could serve as an “extension” to the franchise.
It has DNA that a lot of the other characters and extensions don’t necessarily have because we are a more family [movie]… [That] kind of franchise comes with a lot of fun.”
As he compared the sequel to films like The Goonies and Indiana Jones, he urged fans to go and watch the film in theatres. The director of the film, David F. Sandberg, has also said that the future of Shazam depends on the reaction the sequel receives from fans and its box office reception.
David F. Sandberg Still Has a Lot of Stories to Tell
David F. Sandberg worked on both Shazam films, and the director hopes to tell “a lot more stories” with the DC superhero. However, the co-CEOs of the studio have not confirmed anything about Shazam or Zachary Levi’s future in the DCU.
Sandberg has said that neither of the Shazam movie “contradict” the co-CEOs’ plans for the future of the franchise. This leaves a space for Zachary Levi to continue with the superhero, and the director also feels the same.
What they’ve said is that what we’ve done in these two Shazam movies doesn’t contradict anything they’re doing with their new plans, which is great. It means that you could do Shazam movies if you wanted to. We’ll see how that all works out.
James Gunn has also said the Shazam would connect very well with the new DCU as it has been part of the DCU. However, with Black Adam taking his leave from the DCU and Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ box office collection, things do not seem too favorable for the superhero.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods is now playing in theaters.
Source: Entertainment Tonight
