(Updated 03/11/2023)
The friendliest superhero in the DC movie universe flies back to the big screen. In 2019, SHAZAM! introduced us to young Billy Batson, who meets the wizard Shazam and is subsequently gifted with the powers of the gods. SHAZAM! was kind of like the Tom Hanks movie BIG crossed with a superhero tale, and it was tremendous fun. Now, the sequel is set to continue the story of the original while deepening the mythology behind the character.
As the title of the new movie, SHAZAM! FURY OF THE GODS suggests, this time the hero will face some of the sources of his power. With a gently comic tone, a fantastic set of stars, and a supporting cast that expands Shazam's family, FURY OF THE GODS looks like a grand time at the movies.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods Opens in March
Warner Bros. will release SHAZAM! FURY OF THE GODS exclusively in movie theatres on March 17.
Watch the New Shazam! Fury of the Gods Trailer
This trailer gets right to the point: the Daughters of Atlas have returned to Earth, and they are angry. Furthermore, Shazam may be seriously outmatched… but with his whole family behind him, maybe things will be OK. Oh, and there's a dragon!
The Story in Fury of the Gods
Clearly, some relatives of one of the old gods have come to reclaim the power held by Shazam and his adoptive brothers and sisters, all of whom now have their own superhero alter-egos. To refresh, the name Shazam is actually an acronym that indicates his powers. He has "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."
At least two daughters of Atlas — Kalypso, and Hespera — come calling in search of their father's power. Whether or not we will see any other relatives out of ancient Greek mythology is open to question, but it seems like a safe bet.
The Cast of Shazam 2
One of the most appealing aspects of the SHAZAM! movies is the huge cast, which helps underline an emphasis on family. Many actors return from the original movie, and there are some big new additions, too.
First up, Zachary Levi returns as Shazam, and Asher Angel is back as his teen alter ego Billy Batson. Also back are Jack Dylan Grazer as Billy's foster brother "Freddy" Freeman, Adam Brody as Freddy's superhero form, Ian Chen as Billy's younger foster brother Eugene and Ross Butler as the superhero Eugene, and Faithe Herman and Meagan Good the teen and superhero forms of Billy's foster sister Darla.
Grace Currey plays both Mary, Billy's older foster sister and her superhero form. (Currey is also in the thriller FALL.) And Jovan Armand and D. J. Cotrona play the teen and superhero forms of Billy's older foster brother Pedro. Finally, Marta Milans and Cooper Andrews return as the clan's foster parents, while Djimon Hounsou returns as the wizard as Shazam, now seemingly imprisoned. Whew! That's a lot!
We also know of three new cast members, all of whom are seen in the trailer: Helen Mirren is Atlas's daughter Hespera and Lucy Liu is the daughter Kalypso. We also see Rachel Zegler briefly in the trailer, and she reportedly plays Atlas's daughter Anthea. We would guess that she is less antagonistic than her sisters.
Shazam's Returning Director
After the release of the original SHAZAM!, director David F. Sandberg quickly went to work on FURY OF THE GODS, and it's nice to have that sense of continuity that comes from a consistent presence behind the camera. Sandberg broke out with the horror thriller LIGHTS OUT back in 2016, based on his own short film. He also made ANNABELLE: CREATION, which explains why we see the Annabelle doll in a doctor's office in one trailer shot.
SHAZAM! FURY OF THE GODS opens on March 17.
All images courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.