Helen Mirren Celebrates Michelle Yeoh’s Oscar Win at ‘Shazam 2’ Premiere: ‘I’ve Seen the Culture Change’

For the first time in more than two years, the cast of “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” reunited for the red carpet premiere of their insanely action-packed sequel. Complete with an arcade of pinball machines, video games, cornhole, lightning bolt photo ops and a Skittles bouncy house, the pre-party was pure unadulterated joy.

While director David F. Sandberg couldn’t join due to Covid, returning cast members Zachary Levi, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Adam Brody, Ross Butler, Meagan Good, D.J. Cotona, Grace Caroline Currey, Faithe Herman, Ian Chen, Jovan Armand, Marta Milans, Cooper Andrews, Djimon Hounsou and newbies Rachel Zegler, Lucy Liu and Helen Mirren walked the rain-soaked carpet.

More from Variety

• 'John Wick: Chapter 4' Shoots to Top of U.K. Box Office

• Zachary Levi Says 'Shazam 2' Credits Scene Got 'Thwarted' and 'It's a Shame' if All Comic Book Movies Have to Be 'Serious, Intense, Dark'

• Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman in 'Shazam 2' Was Not a Deepfake, Director Says: She 'Shot in England' and 'I Directed Remotely'

Liu, Zegler and Mirren were ecstatic over “Everything Everywhere All at Once” star Michelle Yeoh’s leading actress Oscar win just two nights before. Yeoh’s statement encouraging women “don’t let anybody tell you, you are ever past your prime,” struck a chord with the “Shazam!” stars.

“I’ve seen the culture change,” Mirren told Variety. “There was very much the attitude, especially in the film world, that at 30, maybe 35, a woman’s career was over. It’s so different now and I just love it!“

Liu agreed, “Michelle was right.”

With foster care, family and tapping into one’s inner child at the core of “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” several cast members brought that sentiment to the carpet. Jovan Armand sported a thunderbolt necklace, a part of a ten-day auction where proceeds go to Kidsave, a non-profit organization bringing resources to kids that age out of the foster care system. Adam Brody told Variety his father is involved with San Diego charity Voices for Children where he mentors kids, long before Brody suited up as “Superhero Freddy.”

Best of Variety

• What's Coming to Disney Plus in April 2023

• What's Coming to Netflix in April 2023

• From 'Crying in H Mart' to Daisy Jones & The Six': Books Made Into Movies and TV Series That You Should Read

Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.