Zachary Levi Campaigns For Shazam Role in James Gunn’s DCU After Shazam 2’s Disappointing Box Office Performance
After his last flop release under the DCEU, Zachary Levi has shown interest in working on another project with DCU. The Tangled actor also talked to Comicbook about his latest film Chicken Run: Dawn of The Nugget.
Zachary worked with DC for Shazam! in 2019, which collected $367.7 million at the box office. He also worked in the film’s sequel, Shazam! Fury of Gods, released this year made a box office collection of $133.8 million. The collection of the 2023 sequel was more than $200 million less than the first film.
Levi shared his views on what he thinks about the box office collection along with his experience working on those films.
Zachary Levi Is “Really Proud” of Both The Shazam! films
During the interview with ComicBook, Zachary talked about his experience working with DC, playing ‘Billy Batson’ aka ‘Shazam’ in both the Shazam! Films.
When he was asked about playing the DC superhero once again, Levi said “It is all above my pay grade,” he continued that he is “really proud of both the (Shazam!) films.”
Zachary appreciated the second film of Shazam! released this year more than the first one from 2019. He also said that “the first was really good.” At the same time, talking about the under-collection of Shazam! Fury of Gods, Levi said that he doesn’t know “ultimately how that plays into fate.”
Levi Calls Shazam A “Delightful Character To Play”
Levi talked about the opportunity to work on Shazam! films said it was a great opportunity and “such a delightful character to play.” He also added that it’s “Christopher Reeves, Superman and Tom Hanks in one role.” He continued that the character, Shazam, was his childhood and bringing that to life was “so much fun.”
Levi also showed his interest in playing various iterations of the character, saying he would like to collaborate with “Nathan Fillion’s Green Lantern.”
Some of his fans commented:
“Loved Shazam, both of them, any way we can get that Chuck reboot! Very underrated show!”
“The Shazam movies are my fave DCU movies. They don’t try too hard to be tough. Cool costumes that are pretty close to the classics. ”
A few fans also commented on Zachary’s performance in Shazam! Films, and suggested he try playing a different character in MCU. Another fan mentioned that Levi never “pulled off” as Billy aka Shazam.
What Are The Notable Projects Zachary Is Known For In His Career?
Also Read: James Gunn Reveals Why He Chose the Funkiest Green Lantern for Superman: Legacy
Zachary Levi started his career as an actor playing ‘Chuck Bartowski’ in the action comedy and spy-drama series Chuck(2010-2012). He rapidly grew his fandom for playing the character.
Levi voiced Flynn Rider in Tangled, a 2010 animated film. He also sang I See the Light with Mandy Moore for the same film.
Zachary also appeared in MCU’s Thor: Ragnarok as ‘Fandral’ in 2017 which was directed by Taika Waititi.
Levi debuted in DC Universe in Shazam! (2019), and then in Shazam! Fury of Gods this year. Both the films were directed by David F. Sandberg who is also known for directing Annabelle: Creation (2017).
He is currently working on the fantasy film Harold and the Purple Crayon, scheduled to release next year. Also, his upcoming films include The Unbreakable Boy and a survival-thriller Not Without Hope.
