It’s fitting that Zachary Levi still feels like he’s living out a childhood fantasy in DC. Shazam! series. His character is the adult version of a child (Billy Batson) who magically turns into an adult superhero.
“Since I was a little boy, I dreamed of being an actor and I can do that. Plus, ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of being a superhero, so it’s two birds with one stone,” Levi, 42, told us at the Los Angeles press day for Shazam! fury of the godsits new sequel to the 2019 DC hit Shazam! (Look down.)
“Not only that, but he was a huge fan of Tom Hanks in Big and Christopher Reeve in Superman. And this role really brings the two together. And it makes for a very unique superhero. More unique than most 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 just have fun every day at work with a lovely group of people.”
This time, that cast includes Helen Mirren, Lucy Liu, and Rachel Zegler, who collectively play the Daughters of Atlas, mythical beings who appear to avenge the deaths of their godly ancestors and retrieve weapons that could destroy the earthly realm. (The Daughters are new characters created for the screen that never appeared in DC comics.)
“I was so excited about the DC look,” says Liu, 54. “And to be a part of it in a different way, coming as a goddess and not being associated with any particular superhero. Because he just leaves the door open for us to be creative.”
It’s a return to the realm of action for Liu, whose best-known roles have been kicking ass in the Charlie’s Angels movies (2000-03), kill bill: Volume 1 (2003) and The man with the iron fists (2012).
“This is the first time I didn’t have to do any formal training,” says Liu, whose Kalypso character has the power to control the minds of mortals by whispering in their ears. “I could go in and just improvise and go with it in that vein.”
Zegler (West Side Story), 21, admits she draws inspiration from her action-experienced co-star and often recreates her famous “no” scene from Charlie’s Angels. “I’d love to be mentioned in as many songs as Lucy Liu,” says Zegler, referencing Liu’s name on tracks like Destiny’s Child’s “Independent Women” and Outkast’s “Hey Ya.”
coming back for fury of the gods are Asher Angel (as teenage Billy) and Jack Dylan Grazer (as Billy’s best friend Freddy Freeman, who also gained the power to become an adult superhero, played by Adam Brody at the end of the first film), both now seasoned professionals. compared to when they first aired in late 2017.
Angel, 20, says: “I think I’m more aware now. Back then I was so young. I was 15 years old, everything was happening so fast, stepping on this huge set with all these people and all these moving parts. … But during the second movie I was really able to be in the moment and acknowledge everything that was going on and just take it all in. It was very different for me.”
“I’m still learning the ropes,” admits Grazer, 19, who has also been seen in the Stephen King-based film. He cinema and independent thriller don’t tell a soul. “I’m having so much fun. I can express myself. I get to live my dream – this is a dream come true, being in a DC movie is amazing. It was refreshing. It was the perfect hybrid between refreshing and nostalgic. To hang out with my best friend Asher and the rest of the cast. And it also featured an incredible cast of empowering women.”
Also new for round two: wardrobe updates for Levi and the Shazam family (like Freddy, his other four adoptive brothers and sisters have powers in the sequel).
At San Diego Comic-Con in 2019, Levi made headlines when he told us how difficult it was to relieve himself in full costume, so much so that he needed an assistant to use the facility. Naturally, we had to wonder if going to the bathroom was easier in a new and improved suit.
“Well, no, it’s the same kind of situation,” Levi said, before going back to being very explicit on the details. “There are zippers that are way down in the contaminated area, and then you have to unzip them to open a piece of cod. But I got really good at being able to do it myself, so I wasn’t always kind of in my temper getting a Pap smear, which is what I was most of the time. [on the first movie].
“I was a big kid! I was able to decompress myself. But when it comes to dropping a deuce, you still need someone to help you out of the suit. Because you had to take the whole suit off. You can not eat [whatever you want]. You have to stay away from a lot of chili. It’s just not good.”
Liu and Zegler had much easier experiences with their Daughters of Atlas costumes, which they assured us aren’t as heavy-duty as they look.
“It did the trick,” says Liu. “And she made us feel like goddesses. And also warriors.
“And they are made with easy on and off [capabilities] in mind,” adds Zegler. “Though you can’t do it yourself.”
Shazam! fury of the gods opens on March 17.
Watch the trailer:
