It’s fitting that Zachary Levi still feels like he’s living out a childhood fantasy in DC Shazam! series. His character is a grown-up version of a child (Billy Batson) who is magically transformed into an adult superhero.
“Ever since I was a little kid, I dreamed of being an actor, and I got to do that. Plus ever since I was a little kid, I’ve dreamed of being a superhero, so it’s two birds with one stone,” Levi, 42, told us at Los Angeles Press Day Shazam! fury of the godsHis new follow-up to DC’s 2019 hit Shazam! (see below.)
“Not only that, but I was a big fan of Tom Hanks Big and christopher reeve inside Superman, And this role really serves to bring both of those things together. And that makes it a very unique superhero. More unique than most of the others I can think of, to be honest. And it’s a lot of fun. I get to tap into my man-child self and go to work with a lovely group of people every day.
This time around that group includes Helen Mirren, Lucy Liu, and Rachel Ziegler, who collectively play the Daughters of Atlas — mythical beings who turn to avenge the death of their godly ancestors and obtain weapons that are mundane. destroy the area. (The daughters are new characters created for the screen who have never appeared in the DC comic books.)
“I was very excited about the D.C. aspect of it,” says Liu, 54. Because it opens doors for us to be creative.
It marks a return to action for Liu, whose best-known roles in film have been of the butt-kicking variety. Charlie’s Angels movies (2000–03), kill Bill, volume 1 (2003) and the man with the Iron Fists (2012).
“It’s the first time I haven’t had to do any formal training,” says Liu, whose character Kalypso has the power to control minds by whispering in his ear. “I can come in and just improvise and go with it in that sense.”
Ziegler (west side story), 21, admits she’s inspired by her action-experienced costar, and often recreates his famous “no” scene From Charlie’s Angels, “I would love to be referred to in multiple songs as Lucy Liu,” says Ziegler, referencing Liu name-drops in tracks like Destiny’s Child’s “Independent Women” and Outkast’s “Hey Ya.”
returning for fury of the gods Asher Angel (as teenage Billy) and Jack Dylan Grazer (as Billy’s best friend, Freddy Freeman, who also gained the power to transform into an adult superhero played by Adam Brody at the end of the first film), Both are seasoned professionals now compared to when they were first cast in late 2017.
Angel, 20, says: “I think I’m more aware now. Back then I was very young. I was 15, it was all happening so fast, stepping onto this huge set with all these people and all these moving parts. … But during the second film I really had to be in the moment and recognize everything that was happening and just take it all in. It was very different for me.
“I’m still learning the ropes,” admits the 19-year-old Grazer, who also stars in the Stephen King-based film This Movies & Indie Thrillers don’t tell a soul, “I’m having so much fun. I get to express myself. I get to live my dream – it’s a dream come true, it’s awesome to be in a DC movie. It was refreshing. It was somewhere between refreshing and nostalgic.” Was the perfect hybrid. To hang out with my best friend Usher and the rest of the cast. And also presented an incredible role of empowering women.
Also new for round two: costume upgrades for Levi and the Shazam family (like Freddy, four of his other foster brothers and sisters have powers in the sequel).
At San Diego Comic-Con in 2019, Levi made headlines When he told us how much he struggled to defecate himself in full costume, so much so that he needed an assistant to use the facilities. Naturally we had to ask if taking bathroom breaks just got easier with the new and improved suit.
“Well, no, it’s the same situation,” said Levy before once again becoming very clear in the detail. “There are zippers that are down in your scarred area, and then you have to unzip them to get a cod piece. But I was really good at being able to do it myself, so I always used stirrups to get pap smears.” wasn’t like it was a long time [on the first movie],
“I was a big boy! I was able to open myself up completely. But when it comes to dropping deuce, you still need someone to help you out of the suit. Because you had to take off the whole suit. you can’t eat [whatever you want], You have to stay away from a lot of chili. This is not good.
Liu and Ziegler had much easier experiences with their daughters’ Atlas costumes, which they assure us aren’t as bulky as they seem.
“It did the trick,” says Liu. “And it made us feel like goddesses. And warriors too.
“And they’re made with easy on-off [capabilities] in mind,” says Ziegler. “You can’t do it yourself, though.”
Shazam! fury of the gods Opens March 17.
watch the trailer: