Zachary Levi has immediately addressed the persistent questions surrounding his future as Shazam inside the new DC Universe being crafted by James Gunn and Peter Safran. In a latest interview with Variety, the actor expressed his affection for the position and his willingness to return, whereas additionally making it clear that any such choices are at present out of his fingers. This comes because the DC Studios’ new technique for an interconnected cinematic universe positive factors momentum, with key superhero roles being recast and the initiatives at present on schedule for launch underlining how the earlier DC Prolonged Universe (DCEU), which starred Levi, is useless.

“Completely. I beloved taking part in the position,” Levi said unequivocally when requested if he wished to return because the magically powered hero, a character he first delivered to the display screen in 2019’s Shazam! and reprised within the 2023 sequel, Shazam! Fury of the Gods. Nonetheless, relating to any precise plans for his character’s inclusion within the new DCU, Levi was equally clear about his present standing, admitting, “No thought. It’s all properly above my pay grade”.

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Regardless of Levi’s enthusiasm, his return as Shazam is unlikely. Whereas the preliminary Shazam! movie was a crucial darling and a field workplace success, incomes $367.8 million worldwide towards a $100 million, its sequel pulled solely $134.1 million globally, marking it as a appreciable monetary disappointment for Warner Bros. Discovery. As well as, Levi has been on the coronary heart of a number of controversies in recent times. These included a January 2023 tweet the place Levi said, “Hardcore agree,” in response to a question asking if Pfizer posed a “actual hazard to the world,” resulting in accusations of selling vaccine skepticism. As well as, through the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, feedback he made at Manchester Comedian Con calling the principles stopping him from discussing his previous work “so dumb” additionally drew backlash, for which he later clarified he supported his union however was pissed off by sure limitations. 

Extra pointedly, after the dying of Broadway actor Gavin Creel, Levi shared an article about Creel’s passing with a cryptic caption about “the reality,” which many, conscious of Creel’s prior openness about a myocarditis analysis and Levi’s perceived vaccine skepticism, criticized as an insensitive try to politicize the tragedy. Levi additionally publicly shared and commented on reviews and fan theories suggesting that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson had actively labored towards the Shazam franchise’s success and crossover potential with Black Adam, additional fueling on-line dissent.

The DCU’s In depth Plans Don’t Embrace Shazam (So Far)

The present plans for the DCU are steering away from badly-received superheroes and actors from the DCEU period, akin to Levi’s Shazam. The brand new DCU formally began with the animated sequence Creature Commandos, which premiered on Max in late 2024. This seven-episode first season, written by Gunn, launched a black-ops crew of monsters and included quite a few Easter eggs and mentions of established DC entities and areas, akin to Themyscira,  A.R.G.U.S., and even the Justice League. Nonetheless, Shazam shouldn’t be but a part of the canon.

Following Creature Commandos, the DCU’s theatrical launch is spearheaded by James Gunn’s Superman, starring David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, and Nicholas Hoult. On the Max streaming aspect, Peacemaker Season 2, starring John Cena, will observe Superman. In 2026, DC Studios is formally releasing the Max sequence Lanterns, the DCU movie Supergirl: Girl of Tomorrow, and a movie centered on Clayface, written by Mike Flanagan. All these initiatives are centered on increasing the universe and explaining how traditional heroes inhabit the world, possibly even hinting at a new model of Shazam.

Superman is scheduled to fly into theaters on July eleventh.

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