In 2019, Shazam! became one of the biggest hits for the DCEU, both critically and financially, raking in over $300 million worldwide. The superhero film has been praised for being more fun, light, and heartfelt compared to the darker movie iterations of other DC heroes like Batman and Superman. Shazam! also has a likable cast, including Zachary Levi in the title role, and Asher Angel as Billy Batson, the teenager chosen to be the champion of the wizard Shazam.
However, the sequel, Shazam! Fury of the Gods hasn't fared well in theaters and had a mixed to negative reception. The movie's poor performance critically and at the box office is a bad portent for the remaining DCEU projects, including Aquaman 2.
What is Shazam 2 About?
The Shazam! sequel initially seemed to have everything going for it, with Asher Angel and the charismatic Zachary Levi returning as Billy Batson and his alter ego Shazam, respectively. Billy/Shazam's other foster siblings and their adult superhero forms also return, including Freddy Freeman, Mary Bromfield, Eugene Choi, Pedro Peña, and Darla Dudley. There's also the addition of Helen Mirren, Lucy Liu, and Rachel Zegler as villainous sisters Hespera, Kalypso, and Anthea, respectively, who are daughters of the Titan god Atlas.
The sequel has Shazam and his superhero foster siblings face off against the daughters of Atlas, who intend to take the magical powers from the heroes (since the villains claim that their magic was stolen from them a long time ago). When the superheroes aren't saving the world, Billy and his siblings go through conflict at home and in their personal lives. For instance, Freddy is constantly getting bullied in school due to his physical disability, and Billy is fearful about separating from his family since he's turning eighteen and aging out of the foster care system.
Why is Shazam 2 Performing Poorly?
Some of the biggest complaints surrounding Shazam! Fury of the Gods is that it is stuffed and overproduced with CGI action, and the appealing cast is wasted due to underdeveloped characters. While there are still plenty of comedic moments reminiscent of the first movie, the lightheartedness is slightly reduced in the sequel in favor of style over substance and major set pieces (including dragons). The DCEU has gone back and forth, from major successes like Wonder Woman and Aquaman to features with mixed results such as Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad.
Ever since the COVID-19 Pandemic, the future of the DCEU became more uncertain. James Gunn's version of The Suicide Squad received critical acclaim but had a lackluster box office because it was simultaneously released on HBO Max and in limited theaters. Wonder Woman 1984 also had a simultaneous release in some theaters and streaming but was considered a weaker sequel compared to the more impactful first film. Once theaters were open at full capacity, Dwayne Johnson's highly anticipated Black Adam (the Shazam! spin-off) had major expectations but was a box-office bomb after a high opening weekend, and was considered a darker superhero feature with heavy CGI action and thinly plotted characterizations.
Due to these factors, fans perhaps have lost some significant interest in DC films, leading to underwhelming box office numbers and heavy criticism for Shazam! Fury of the Gods, especially after the mixed reception of Black Adam (which was intended to get the DCEU back on track). Spectators may also dislike the Shazam! sequel because the plot of good and evil forces battling each other with an abundance of special effects has become familiar, tired, and overbearing, which leads to concern for any future DCEU films like Aquaman 2.
When is Aquaman 2 Coming Out?
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is currently scheduled for release on December 25, 2023, after several delays and schedule changes due to the pandemic, along with financial difficulties and post-production shifts to complete visual effects work. Jason Momoa will reprise his role as Arthur Curry/Aquaman, along with returning cast members including Amber Heard (Mera), Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Black Manta), and Nicole Kidman (Atlanna). Saw and The Conjuring filmmaker James Wan is also back as director after his first Aquaman feature became the highest-grossing DCEU film making over a billion dollars worldwide.
An Aquaman sequel seems like a no-brainer. However, after ups and downs in the DCEU, several delays and setbacks, and the Wonder Woman and Shazam! sequels underperforming, the second Aquaman feature now seems to be doomed for failure, especially after reports of poor test screenings and the controversy surrounding Amber Heard's casting due to her domestic violence trial against ex-husband Johnny Depp. There is also uncertainty surrounding Jason Momoa's future as Aquaman in the DCEU, and whether he will portray another DC role after expressing interest in playing the intergalactic bounty hunter Lobo. Momoa and Wan are extremely talented, and they may be the slight glimmer of hope for making the Aquaman sequel succeed, but since it's intended to be the last DCEU film, this is likely the end of the road for this iteration of the aquatic hero.
Will There Be A Shazam 3?
Just like Aquaman, Shazam's run may end as well since the DCEU is reaching its final stage, and James Gunn and Peter Safran are taking over with their planned DC Universe (DCU). Based on the poor box office and negative critical reception for Shazam! Fury of the Gods, director David F. Sandberg has hinted that there are likely no more Shazam! films, stating that he's done with superhero movies for now and returning to direct more thrillers and horror pics.
However, whether superheroes like Shazam, Aquaman, Black Adam, and Wonder Woman (who has a cameo in the Shazam! sequel and apparently the second Aquaman feature as well) have a future in the upcoming DCU, Gunn and Safran have expressed interest in retaining DCEU cast members like Zachary Levi and Jason Momoa. Once again, the DC Universe has an uncertain and divisive future, but under new management, fans are hoping that many beloved DC characters will be headed in the right direction.