Everything to Know About 'Shazam! Fury of the Gods'

Between who's joining the cast and the director, here's everything to know about the sequel to 2019's Shazam! starring Zachary Levi

No magic word needed: a Shazam! sequel is here!

DC Comics' hit superhero movie received a reprisal with Shazam! Fury of the Gods, the highly-anticipated follow-up film that came four years after its predecessor's theatrical release in April 2019.

Zachary Levi made his return as the titular superhero character opposite Asher Angel, who came back as Shazam's teenage alter ego, Billy Batson. Familiar faces from the franchise also appeared in the film's second installment, plus several newcomers.

The news of Levi's return, specifically, came amid fan speculation that he would be cut from the franchise as the studio's newest CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran reconfigured the future of DC movies including Henry Cavill's departure as Superman and Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman 3 being canceled.

In addition to concerns regarding the cast, backlash arose surrounding DC Studios' future storylines. Gunn posted a statement on Instagram reading, "Disrespectful outcry will never, ever affect our actions" regarding the company's upcoming movie slate — to which Levi commented, "Amen. 🙏."

Here's everything to know about Shazam! Fury of the Gods.

Who's in the cast of Shazam! Fury of the Gods?

Shazam! Fury of the Gods wouldn't be possible without the return of its titular character played by Zachary Levi. Plus, his teenage counterpart Billy Batson, played by Asher Angel, also made a comeback.

Other cast members who reprised their roles, include Jack Dylan Grazer, Faithe Herman, Ian Chen, Jovan Armand and Grace Caroline Currey as Billy's foster siblings — while their superhero alter egos will be played by Adam Brody, Meagan Good, Ross Butler and D.J. Cotrona.

New cast members were recruited to be in the sequel as well, including Helen Mirren as Hespera, the daughter of Atlas, alongside Lucy Liu who's cast as her demigod sister, Kalypso. They are the primary villains in Shazam's second installment.

Rachel Zegler, who starred in Steven Spielberg's West Side Story remake, is also cast as their sister in the film, playing the role of Athena, one of three goddess daughters of the Titan Atlas — of which the actress said "was so much fun" to play.

"She is so wonderfully complex and getting to work with Helen and Lucy was amazing," Zegler said in a video interview during Comic Con. "Miss you ladies! We have to get the goddesses back together for a catch-up soon!"

What is Shazam! Fury of the Gods about?

Shazam! Fury of the Gods serves as the sequel to Shazam! released in 2019. The film continues the story of Billy Batson who — upon reciting the magic word "SHAZAM!" — is struck by the Living Lightning of the gods and transformed into his adult superhero alter ego.

"Levi returns as the kid-at-heart superhero who is bestowed with the powers of six gods: the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Atlas, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles and the speed of Mercury," per Deadline. "While Shazam is a formidable champion, Billy is still just a fun-loving kid trying to navigate high school while learning how to use his powers."

Billy "and his family are thrust into a battle for their superpowers, their lives, and the fate of their world," in the movie, according to an official synopsis for the movie from DC's website.

Who directed Shazam! Fury of the Gods?

Have no fear: the same Shazam! filmmaking team came back for round two! Screenwriter Henry Gayden and director David F. Sandberg returned for Shazam! Fury of the Gods. Plus, Peter Safran is produced through The Safran Company.

Is there a trailer for Shazam! Fury of the Gods?

The first official trailer for Shazam! Fury of the Gods was released at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2022, giving fans a closer look at what they can expect in the film's second installment — and for Levi's Shazam, that's a bit of imposter syndrome.

"I'm an idiot," his superhero character says in the clip. "I don't deserve these powers, if I'm being honest. Like, what am I even contributing?" The goofy kid-inside-a-superhero, Billy Batson, goes on to compare himself to The Flash, Aquaman and Batman, the famed heroes of the DC extended universe.

"And I'm just me," he continues. "I feel like a fraud." The trailer gives a little recap of the 2019 Shazam! movie while also introducing the "Daughters of Atlas," portrayed by Mirren, Liu and Zegler.

A second trailer was released in January 2023, showcasing Mirren's villain Hespera and the Daughters of Atlas as they demand Billy and his friends give up their powers before the trio destroys the world.

In addition to Mirren, it also features newcomer Rachel Zegler and Billy's revamped team of super-powered teenagers as Shazam fights villains riding dragons and manages to sneak in a Game of Thrones reference or two.

As Billy appears to doubt his own abilities, he asks the ancient wizard Shazam (Djimon Hounsou) to take his powers back, before the wizard convinces him to take on Hespera and her dragon in a climactic battle.

How long is Shazam! Fury of the Gods?

In October 2022, director Sandberg confirmed that production had wrapped on the movie. "Finished! Now for a little time off. See you in theaters in March!" he wrote on his Instagram.

Shazam! Fury of the Gods has a final running time of approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes (including credits) — making it two minutes shorter than 2019's Shazam!

When was Shazam! Fury of the Gods released?

Shazam! Fury of the Gods was released in theaters on March 17, 2023. It's now available to stream on Max as with previous DC Comics releases.

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