Shazam! Fury of the Gods is poised to be a bigger film than its predecessor, mainly because it will feature multiple villains and potentially raise the bar in terms of stakes and action-packed sequences.
Directed by David F. Sandberg, the sequel will bring back the main cast of the 2019 DCEU blockbuster such as Zachary Levi's Shazam, Asher Angel's Billy Batson, and Jack Dylan Grazer's Freddy Freeman.
Joining the trio are two new villains that will be played by veteran actresses in the form of Helen Mirren's Hespera and Lucy Liu's Kalypso. Plot details of the film are still being kept under wraps, so it is currently unknown how these villains will affect the lives of the young protagonists.
Another returning element in Fury of the Gods is the much-talked-about Shazam family. The group was introduced during the final battle of the first film, and evidence suggests that they will play a bigger role this time around.
Production for the sequel is currently underway, and Sandberg has been sharing filming updates on social media. Now, a bonafide member of the Shazam family takes the spotlight in a new set photo.
GRACE FULTON'S MARY TAKES THE SPOTLIGHT
Shazam! Fury of the Gods director David F. Sandberg shared a brand new behind-the-scenes image from the set of the upcoming DCEU sequel, showcasing Grace Fulton's Mary Marvel in a superhero ad.
The image directly references J. Howard Miller's "We Can Do It" poster from 1943, a popular Americana image that was used to improve women workers' morale during World War II.
As part of the reveal, the DCEU director revealed that the cast and crew are on their 36th day of filming:
"Day 36. If it was Annabelle Creation it would be the last day.”
SHAZAM FAMILY'S RISING POPULARITY
This latest image of Mary in a superhero ad in Shazam! Fury of the Gods could hint at a different status quo for the Shazam family in the sequel.
On a plot level, it is unknown how much time has passed since the first film, but it's possible that Billy Batson and his family have maximized their newfound abilities to help the community. If so, then this ad could suggest that the superhero team's popularity is on the rise.
It's also fitting that the ad is a direct reference to J. Howard Miller's "We Can Do It" poster considering that the original goal of it was to boost the morale of female workers.
In a way, it makes narrative sense since Mary Marvel is Billy's older sibling, meaning that she could be part of the workforce during this time. The ad could be her way of empowering the female workforce in the modern age, and it seems that the most plausible way to do it is through her superhero persona.
Meanwhile, Sandberg didn't specify when filming for the Shazam! sequel will wrap, but the fact that the cast and crew are already on the 36th day is a good sign. There's also a chance that Sandberg will update fans on how many days are left in the production of the film down the line.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods will premiere in theaters on June 2, 2023.
