Shazam 2 is expected to have ‘one of the worst’ domestic openings for any DC movie at just $30 million
The superhero movie Shazam! Fury Of The Gods seems to be heading for a big disappointment at the box office.
The movie, which hit theaters this weekend, had a rough domestic opening and is expected to gross $30 million, making it one of the worst openings for a DC movie, according to TMZ.
If projections are correct, the David F. Sandberg-directed sequel will be 44% lower than the first film’s $53.5 million opening in 2019.
The sequel to Shazam is the first of four DCEU movies due for release in 2023, followed by The Flash (June 16), Blue Beetle (August 18) and Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom (December 25).
Zachary Levi – who debunked rumors that he was recast in December – returns as the title character, the adult superhero Billy Batson (Asher Angel) turns into, after being given amazing powers by a wizard (Djimon Hounsou) in the original movie.
Problem: Shazam! Fury Of The Gods appears to be heading for box office disappointment, projected to gross $30 million in its opening weekend; Zachary Levi pictured in a Shazam still
Worst Opening for a DC Movie: The film’s rough domestic opening is “one of the worst for any DC movie” according to TMZ; Levi pictured in a Shazam still
Shazam! Fury Of The Gods and The Flash are among four films left over from the previous regime at DC Films – run by Walter Hamada – which has since been handed over to James Gunn, 56, and Peter Safran, 57.
Shazam was the first of these projects to hit theaters, followed by The Flash starring warring actor Ezra Miller.
Also scheduled for release this year are Blue Beetle and Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom on Christmas Day.
Gunn previously called The Flash “probably one of the greatest superhero movies ever made.”
Last year, amid a wave of buzz at DC Studios involving multiple superhero projects, Levi debunked rumors that he would be cast in the movie again.
Levi quote-retweeted a tweet about the rumor, writing, “Oooh, I honestly wouldn’t believe everything you see on the internet. I’m Gucci, Ash. All of us Gucci.’
He also quoted and retweeted another tweet suggesting that Gunn will recast younger actors, calling 42-year-old Levi a “grandpa,” while Levi replied, “Ageist” with a grinning emoji.
Levi’s first foray into the DC Extended Universe was 2019’s Shazam, based on the DC Comics character created in 1940 by Bill Parker and CC Beck.
The story follows young Billy Batson (Asher Angel), who finds new super powers that turn him into a grown superhero (Levi) when he simply says the word “Shazam.”
The first film was a hit with critics (90% on Rotten Tomatoes) and fans alike, earning $140.4 million domestically and $366 million worldwide on a $100 million budget.
It’s been just over a month since Gunn unveiled his DC Studios slate, and it looks like there’s a lot more in store to announce.
Gunn and Safran were announced as the new heads of DC Studios in late October, with Gunn promising to reveal his first batch of projects by February 1.
Worst than the first: If projections are correct, the David F. Sandberg-directed sequel will be 44% lower than the first film’s 2019 opening of $53.5 million; Lucy Liu and Helen Mirren pictured in a still
Debunking: Amid a wave of buzz at DC Studios involving multiple superhero projects, Levi debunked rumors last year that he would be re-cast in the movie
Ageist: He also quoted and retweeted another tweet suggesting that Gunn will recast younger actors, calling 42-year-old Levi a ‘grandpa’ while Levi replied: ‘Ageist’ with a grinning emoji
New Boss: Shazam and The Flash are among four films left over from the previous regime at DC Films, which has since been handed over to James Gunn, 56, and his partner Peter Safran, 57; Gunn pictured in 2022
Next up: The filmmaker revealed his first projects at the start of the year, including Superman: Legacy, Booster Gold, The Brave and the Bold and more; In the photo 2023
True to his word, on Jan. 31, the Guardians of the Galaxy filmmaker revealed the first projects, including Superman: Legacy, Booster Gold, The Brave and the Bold, and more.
Gunn revealed 10 projects that will be part of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), along with a sequel to The Batman starring Robert Pattinson, one of the studio’s Elseworld projects outside of the DCEU.
While no further projects have been announced since then, Gunn teased that many more are in the works when responding to a fan on Twitter.
The new head of DC Films has also upset many fans, after canceling Wonder Woman 3, firing Henry Cavill as Superman, and turning down a Black Adam sequel (for now).
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