David F. Sandberg’s 2019 film introduced Zachary Levi as Shazam. Unlike most DC films, Shazam was able to impress the audience and the critics at once. So no one was surprised when the studio announced a sequel for the 2019 film. The sequel, Shazam! Fury of the Gods is set to release in 2023, along with the other DC films. The film’s director has revealed some interesting facts about the sequel. During his recent interview, Sandberg shared why he cast Helen Mirren as the main villain in Fury of the Gods.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods will follow Billy Batson and his foster siblings struggling with their new superpowers. However, they still come together and try to stop Daughters of Atlas from destroying the world.
Read More: Shazam 2 First DC Film To Have Movie-Exclusive Main Villain With No Comic Book Origin
David F. Sandberg Was Surprised When Helen Mirren Accepted the Offer
In his recent interview with Total Films, David F. Sandberg shared that he needed great villains for a great superhero movie. And that was how he ended up on these mythological characters. “It felt like something new for fans,” he shared.
The Swedish filmmaker further shared, “We said from the start, we should aim really high,” The Lights Out director said when they were working on characters, he said that they needed someone like Helen Mirren for these characters.
So when The Queen star accepted the offer to portray the role, he was surprised. “We said, ‘We should get someone on the level of like Helen Mirren.’ And then we tried reaching out to her, and she said yes straight away,” David F. Sandberg said.
The Kung Fury director shared that Lucy Liu also agreed to portray Kalypso, and both of them bring “so much to the parts.” David F. Sandberg has shared that Fury of the Gods will not feature any villain from DC comics and will introduce original villains.
The sequel has Helen Mirren as Hespera and Lucy Liu as Calypso, the main antagonists in the film. Both the characters will be playing daughters of Atlas and are trying to take back the stolen powers of gods.
Rachel Zegler will portray Athena in the sequel. However, it is still unclear if she would help Billy Baston or join her sisters to take down Shazam. David F. Sandberg has said it would be revealed with the release of the film.
The Rock Reportedly Passed on Doing a Cameo in Shazam 2
Dwayne Johnson made his DCU debut as Black Adam in the 2022 film. However, as the new CEO of the DC Studios is almost done with DC’s future plans, rumors have started that the Red Notice star would not be reprising his role in the future.
Recent reports have suggested that The Rock has passed on the opportunity to have a cameo in the upcoming film, Shazam! Fury of the Gods.
The news could come as a disappointment for fans who have been hoping to see a face-off between Black Adam and Shazam in the future phases of DCU. In DC comics, Black Adam is one of the archenemies of Shazam and the Shazam family.
DC Studios has already announced that Henry Cavill would not continue to portray Superman. Fans are suspicious that the studio would also recast the rest of the Justice League. Johnson reportedly refusing to have a cameo in Shazam 2 could also be the result of everything going on at the DC Studios.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods is scheduled to release on March 17, 2023.
Source: Total Films
