Zachary Levi has stepped into the fray surrounding DC Studios to clear up rumours surrounding his potential recasting as Shazam.
There’s a whole host of news and changes that have come in recent weeks, following James Gunn and Peter Safran taking up the mantel at the newly-formed DC Studios for Warner Bros, not least of which has been the controversial axing of Henry Cavill as Superman – just weeks after his long-awaited return was confirmed.
Wonder Woman 3 also looks to be off the table, while Jason Momoa’s future as Aquaman following next year’s sequel seems murky too, and Batman could get Batfleck back in some way.
Just last night, DC’s newest superhero (well, anti-hero) Black Adam’s future was addressed by its star Dwayne Johnson, who confirmed it was to ‘not be in their first chapter of storytelling’.
That pretty much leaves only Levi’s Shazam as the remaining hero whose future under the Gunn/Safran era hasn’t been addressed – until now.
The 42-year-old star waded into fan discussion on Tuesday to set the record straight.
One fan had lamented on Twitter: ‘I’m so angry that Zachary Levi isn’t gonna be Shazam anymore he was the perfect casting choice and to add more salt to the wound he is close friends with James Gunn [sic].’
Another had quote tweeted the statement to agree, pleading: ‘I want this not to be true because his Shazam is he ONE thing in the DCEU I would absolutely throw hands for to protect.’
‘@ZacharyLevi is perfection,’ they added.
Lucky for them, it appears Levi is safe.
He responded: ‘Oooh, I really wouldn’t go believing everything you see on the internet. I’m Gucci, Ash. We all Gucci,’ adding a sunglasses emoji.
The Chuck star made his debut in Shazam in 2019, and reprises the role for the sequel, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, due out in March 2023.
He will be joined by Asher Angel, reprising his role as Shazam’s alter ego Billy Batson, Adam Brody, Rachel Zegler, Lucy Liu, Djimon Hounsou and Dame Helen Mirren.
Gunn recently addressed the the ‘uproarious and unkind’ backlash from some fans regarding all the changes rumoured and planned for the DC Extended Universe.
On behalf of himself and DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran, Gunn tweeted on Monday: ‘One of the things Peter and I were aware of when we took the job as heads of DC Studios was a certain minority of people online that could be, well, uproarious and unkind, to say the least.’
Defending the decisions that they have made in their new roles, he continued: ‘Our choices for the DCU are based upon what we believe is best for the story and best for the DC characters who have been around for nearly 85 years.
‘Perhaps these choices are great, perhaps not, but they are made with sincere hearts and integrity and always with the story in mind.
‘No one loves to be harassed or called names – but, to be frank, we’ve been through significantly worse. Disrespectful outcry will never, ever affect our actions.’
He admitted the pair knew they would face some ‘turbulence’ after taking charge of DC’s movie and TV output, but they were willing to accept that as they strive to do their best for the studio.
He explained: ‘We were aware there would be a period of turbulence when we took this gig, and we knew we would sometimes have to make difficult and not-so-obvious choices, especially in the wake of the fractious nature of what came before us.
‘But this means little to us in comparison to our jobs as artists and custodians in helping to create a wide and wonderful future for DC.’
