Zachary Levi has started his training for the upcoming Shazam: Fury of the Gods. The DCEU flick is a sequel to 2019's Shazam, which served as Levi's introduction to the franchise. Levi plays the grown Billy Batson, who is usually a regular teenage boy (Asher Angel). However, whenever Billy says the word "Shazam," he transforms into an adult superhero. Shazam earned positive reviews and $364 million worldwide, making for a modest hit. A sequel was put into development not long after the film was released, and while progress is still being made, Shazam 2 has become a victim of the coronavirus pandemic.
Initially, Shazam 2 was scheduled for release in 2022. However, due to various schedule changes caused by the pandemic, the film has been shuffled around multiple times. Currently, it is slated for June 2023, putting it four years after the first film. To combat the speedy aging of Shazam's child actors, filming will start in May of this year. With that start date nearing, there are signs of the cast preparing to get to work, as seen with leading man Levi.
Levi's gym, Flow Supplements, posted on their Instagram story (via Shazam Updates) yesterday that the actor is back to work. Levi himself appeared in the video, which also showed a glimpse of his weight training. Though it was not explicitly stated by Levi or anyone else, it's clear he's preparing for Shazam 2. As the film is going to begin production soon, his training has kicked back into high gear.
Further proof the DC sequel is coming together arrived last week, when Helen Mirren was cast as Shazam 2's villain, Hespera. The film will also include newcomer Rachel Zegler (West Side Story) and see the returns of Billy's foster siblings from the first film (both the kid and adult versions). With the cast fully taking shape and filming about a month away from starting, it really looks like Shazam: Fury of the Gods is on track to hold onto its 2023 release date - finally.
Plot details are still being kept under wraps, but Shazam 2 reportedly has three different villains. Mirren's Hespera marks one, and it remains to be seen who the others could be. Perhaps the start of production will bring forth a few more casting updates. The only person who is certainly not appearing in Shazam 2 is Henry Cavill as Superman, despite some rumors saying otherwise. That's a bit of a blow for fans, but the much-delayed sequel will hopefully provide enough thrills and laughs to make up for it. Levi is hard at work getting ready, and it'll be great to see him back in action.
Source: Flow Supplements (via Shazam Updates)
