Zachary Levi’s possible return to the DC Universe has become a topic of speculation following his outspoken views and recent interview remarks. The conversation about a Zachary Levi DCU return is gaining traction, as the actor reflects on past challenges and hints at his openness to rejoining the franchise in some capacity.
Levi’s Challenging Period and DC Role Uncertainty
Recently, Levi acknowledged he had faced significant setbacks in his Hollywood career, stating that expressing anti-vaccine opinions and publicly supporting Donald Trump for president hurt his standing in the industry. Despite his personal difficulties, Levi is widely recognized for his portrayal of Shazam in two feature films, Shazam! and its sequel Shazam! Fury of the Gods.
While the original Shazam! film found box office success and won over many viewers, its sequel, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, failed to achieve similar results. The follow-up was greeted by audience fatigue and disappointing ticket sales, which only compounded after James Gunn and Peter Safran assumed control of DC Studios. Many began to speculate that Levi’s days donning the Shazam costume had likely drawn to a close under the new DC leadership.
Mixed Reception and Levi’s Reflections on the Sequel
Levi has addressed the reaction to Fury of the Gods, sharing his perspective on the movie’s critical and popular reception:
“The audience score is still quite good, but the critics’ score was, I don’t know, very oddly and perplexingly low, and people were insanely unkind,”
— Zachary Levi, Actor
He further commented on his feelings regarding the film’s overall merit and the ambiguity of its future:
“Listen, I’ve been a part of things and as much as I wish that they were good, I know that they’re okay, I know they missed a lot. I’m not saying Shazam! Fury of the Gods is some perfect Orson Welles masterpiece, but it’s a good darn movie. I don’t know what the future holds, because Fury of the Gods was not well received. I have no idea where we go from here.”
— Zachary Levi, Actor
Levi’s Willingness to Return to the DCU
Though Levi does not appear to have high expectations for returning as Shazam, he remains enthusiastic about the possibility. According to a recent interview, the actor is open to reprising his earlier role or even taking on a new character in the expanding DC Universe:
“Oh yeah! I loved playing Shazam… If James and the powers that be said ‘Hey, we would love to bring you back as Shazam,’ or if there was some other DC character… I love comic books,”
— Zachary Levi, Actor
Industry Changes and Casting Dynamics at DC Studios
During a 2023 interview, Levi responded to questions about the shifting DCU cast. Notably, Jason Momoa is moving from Aquaman to play Lobo, and Sean Gunn has been recast as Maxwell Lord after previously voicing and performing other roles. These changes have prompted questions about the flexibility of casting within the DC franchise. Levi made a pointed remark about this trend, referencing the familial ties within DC Studios:
“When you’re the brother of the guy who runs DC, I guess you get to play who you want.”
— Zachary Levi, Actor
Despite his comment, Levi has indicated that he and James Gunn remain on good terms, even as he shifts his focus to faith-based acting projects which resonate with a sizeable segment of his audience.
Casting and Story Details from Shazam! Fury of the Gods
Shazam! Fury of the Gods continues the story of Billy Batson, played by Asher Angel, as he and his foster siblings, each granted superhero alter egos, grapple with teenage life while confronting the vengeful Daughters of Atlas. The stakes rise when these ancient beings arrive on Earth in pursuit of magical powers, thrusting Billy—Shazam, as portrayed by Zachary Levi—and his makeshift family into a high-stakes battle for survival and the future of their world.
The cast features Zachary Levi, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Adam Brody, Ross Butler, Meagan Good, D.J. Cotrona, Grace Caroline Currey, Faithe Herman, Ian Chen, Jovan Armand, Marta Milans, and Cooper Andrews as members of Billy’s family, alongside Djimon Hounsou as the Wizard who originally granted Billy his powers. The sequel also introduces Rachel Zegler, Lucy Liu, and Helen Mirren in new roles, assembling an ensemble cast that merges familiar and fresh faces in the DC Universe’s evolving narrative.
What Lies Ahead for Zachary Levi in the DCU?
With James Gunn and Peter Safran now steering DC Studios, and major casting shifts underway, the likelihood of Zachary Levi’s direct return as Shazam is uncertain. Nevertheless, his standing interest leaves the door open for possible reappearances, whether in his original role or another part within the DCU. As the franchise continues to reinvent itself, Levi’s candid reflections and continued passion for superhero stories ensure he remains a name to watch among DC fans speculating about the studio’s future direction.
