Shazam! Fury Of The Gods is poised to define the future of the hero in the new DC Universe, and the fans have a very important role to play in the decision, according to director David F. Sandberg. The DC Universe is going through a major shake-up, as new DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran prepare to move away from the old DCEU to bring forth their new vision for the studio. Shazam's fate in the new DC Universe could be positive, but it all depends on the fans showing up for the upcoming Shazam! Fury of the Gods film that will release in March.

Sandberg responded on Twitter detailing how the fans can help Shazam's chances of appearing in future DC Studios projects.

The Shazam! sequel's box office projection hurts his future in the DC Universe, with the movie currently tracking for a $43 million to $52 million debut at the domestic box office. That range would put Shazam! Fury of the Gods below the first film's $53.5 million opening weekend. If Shazam's DC Universe fate is really up to the fans seeing the sequel in theaters like Sandberg says, then the odds are not looking good for Zachary Levi to return as the hero.

Related: Shazam 2 Continues The Weirdest DCEU Easter Egg

Which Established DC Characters Are Already Confirmed For The New DC Universe?

Split image of Justice League, Amazons of Themyscira, and Blue Beetle & Booster Gold

The January slate reveal for the DC Universe's Chapter One confirmed that a few characters from the old DCEU would be reprising their roles in upcoming projects. Amanda Waller's HBO Max spinoff series — aptly titled Waller — will bring back Viola Davis as the fearsome leader of DC's Suicide Squad. The show will continue Waller's story after James Gunn's 2021 film, The Suicide Squad, and will also see the return of some members from Gunn's Peacemaker HBO Max series starring John Cena.

While there are a handful of DC characters returning for this new chapter of the studio, it is expected that the new DC Universe will mostly serve as a reboot of what came before. The first nod towards this approach was Henry Cavill's exit from the role of Superman, in favor of a younger take on the character being developed for the 2025 movie, Superman: Legacy, which Gunn is writing. Casting for Batman's The Brave and the Bold movie is also surely going to set the internet ablaze, with Superman and Batman already confirmed to have a role in the beginning of the new DC Universe.

DC is currently changing up a number of its actors. Shazam! Fury of the Gods is one of the four projects inherited by the new DC regime. Lead heroes from the other movies include Aquaman, The Flash, and newcomer Blue Beetle. Levi's Shazam should not be hard to connect to the new DC Universe, given him being mostly in his own corner of DC, and as Gunn has primarily been positive about Jason Momoa's DCU future as Aquaman, it appears that even heroes more associated with the old DCEU have a shot at returning. This bodes well for Shazam! Fury of the Gods' chances of not being the franchise's end.

More: Why Shazam’s Suit Is Black In Fury of the Gods (Is He Black Adam?!)

Source: David F. Sandberg/Twitter

Key Release Dates