James Gunn and Peter Safran finally revealed the DCU slate this week. The duo, who took over as the new co-CEO and co-Chairs of DC Studios in November 2022 have been working on a ten-year future plan for the DCU and revealed the first chapter of their plan, which is called “Gods and Monsters.” Gunn also stated that he and Peter Safran would work on the consistency of the DCU across film, television, gaming, and animation.
During the recent press conference, he was asked about the Shazam star’s anti-Pfizer tweet. And the Suicide Squad director made it clear that he would not change his plans due to someone’s controversial statements.
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Zachary Levi Faces Backlash Over Controversial Tweet
Shazam star Zachary Levi received a massive backlash after sharing an anti-Pfizer tweet. Responding to a Twitter user who questioned if “Pfizer is a real danger to the world,” Levi said, “Hardcore agree.” People started calling out the American actor and claimed that his tweet was anti-vaccine.
His next DC film, Shazam! Fury of the Gods is just months away from its release, and the controversial tweet led many to believe that this could lead him to be the next actor to leave DCU.
While many praised the Nerd HQ star for being courageous enough to state his opinion, others pointed out how these controversial statements could lead his upcoming film to fail at the box office. Zachary Levi is all set to come back as the DC superhero in the sequel to the 2019 film Shazam! Fury of the Gods.
James Gunn Has No Intention of Changing His Plans
The new co-CEO of DC Studios was asked to reflect on Levi’s controversial remarks during a recent press event. James Gunn clarified that the actors and filmmakers he works with would say things he agrees with and things that he doesn’t agree with.
He said, “I don’t have a list of things that somebody should say because of what I think.” Gunn further said that anyone making any controversial statements would not cause him to change his plans unless someone is doing something “morally reprehensible.”
“We have to take all that stuff into account. It’s a balance. It’s a modern world and it’s a different place,” the Peacemaker director said. Although the filmmaker has not said anything about Zachary Levi’s future in the cinematic universe, his statement seems to hint that the Chuck star could continue to star in the new DCU.
In his slate announcement video, James Gunn said that Shazam! has always been off from the DCU. He also said that the film could connect very well with the new DCU. Although the recently announced plans do not include any project featuring Shazam, Gunn has said that it’s just a part of his new plan, and so much is yet to come under the new DCU.
Source: Discussing Films