Djimon Hounsou will reportedly return as the ancient wizard Shazam in Shazam! Fury of the Gods. The original film opens with Hounsou's Shazam as the last of a council of wizards after the previous champion unleashed the Seven Deadly Sins and killed everyone else. The ancient wizard Shazam had been waiting for centuries at the Rock of Eternity to bestow his powers on a new champion who is pure of heart. After Dr. Thaddeus Sivana creates a portal to the Rock of Eternity and unleashes the Seven Deadly Sins by stealing the Eye of Sin, Hounsou's Shazam must quickly find another champion.
Teenager Billy Baton (Asher Angel) is chosen by Hounsou's ancient wizard Shazam to become his next champion. Once Billy says the word "Shazam," he is transformed into an adult superhero portrayed by Zach Levi. In the same scene, Hounsou's Shazam turns to dust after passing his powers onto Billy, and the actor does not reappear again. It's never confirmed the character died, per se, but his absence for the rest of the movie is undoubtedly apparent, leading audiences to believe he's gone forever.
However, despite his apparent onscreen demise, Murphy’s Multiverse reports that Hounsou will reprise his role as the ancient wizard Shazam in Shazam! Fury of the Gods. While the news hasn't been confirmed, Hounsou is reportedly returning for the sequel alongside Levi, Angel, and director David F. Sandberg.
Bringing back a character who died onscreen may prove to be difficult, but if anyone can pull it off, it is the DCEU because, well, they've already done it. Henry Cavill's Superman famously died during the climactic ending of 2016's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. However, he was quickly resurrected the following year in Justice League.
Additionally, Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu will play villainous sisters Hespera and Kalypso in the Shazam! sequel, so they may have something to do with the ancient wizard Shazam's return. Of course, another classic way to bring back a character that died on-screen is via flashback. While that route is undoubtedly on the table, seeing Housou's Shazam return through Hespera and Kalypso's evil plot would be very exciting.
In addition to his role in the Shazam! franchise, Housou also provided the voice of King Ricou in fellow DCEU film Aquaman. The actor has also had an overarching presence in the MCU by appearing as Korath in 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy and 2019's Captain Marvel. More news on Housou's role in Shazam! Fury of the Gods is expected to be revealed as filming continues this month and will hit theaters on June 2, 2023.
Source: Murphy’s Multiverse
