Zachary Levi has voiced his willingness to return to the world of superhero films, stating his interest in being part of the ongoing James Gunn DCU casting decisions. Levi shared in a recent interview that he would be open to stepping back into his iconic Shazam! role or even trying out for a new character, depending on the direction taken by Gunn and Peter Safran as they reboot the DC cinematic universe.
During his conversation with FeatureFirst, Levi reflected on what made playing Shazam! such a rewarding experience. He explained that being able to channel influences from the likes of Christopher Reeves’ Superman and Tom Hanks’ character in Big allowed him to bring a special touch to the role, and that the camaraderie among the cast, dubbed the “Shazamly,” was an essential part of his time on set. Levi remarked,
“Oh, yeah! Listen, I love playing Shazam! It was one of the most fun experiences,”
— Zachary Levi, Actor. He also recalled,
“I grew up watching Christopher Reeves‘ ‘Superman’ and Tom Hanks in Big, and I got to be both in one role. And he’s such a fun role. I love my Shazamly, as we affectionately call it; every one of those actors, young and old. We really shared an awesome experience over two movies.”
— Zachary Levi, Actor.
Reflecting on Shazam! and the DCU’s Future
Levi expressed his continued enthusiasm for the genre, suggesting he would embrace another opportunity with the new creative leadership if the right role presented itself.
“So, yeah, if James and the powers that be said, ‘we’d love to bring you back as Shazam!’ or if there were some other DC character…[I’d do it],”
— Zachary Levi, Actor. For Levi, a love of comics since childhood remains a strong motivator behind his willingness to take on any part that truly stands out:
“I love comic books, I’ve been reading them since I was a kid, so long as it was something that was really worthy, like a character or a story that was ‘oh wow, that’s new and that’s different, that’s a flavor we haven’t really seen yet before.’”
— Zachary Levi, Actor.
Levi’s time as Shazam! spanned two films, with the franchise debuting in 2019 and later returning with Shazam!: Fury of the Gods in 2023. While the first movie performed strongly for Warner Bros. at the box office, its sequel failed to achieve similar success, facing mixed critical reception and disappointments in revenue. As of now, Shazam! has not been included in the publicly announced roadmap of James Gunn’s updated DCU, raising questions about whether the character will return under the new regime.
Controversy and Changing Fortunes for Zachary Levi
The period following the release of Fury of the Gods saw Levi under heavy scrutiny. He was at the center of industry discussion for openly attributing the film’s underwhelming results to external players and circumstances, notably calling out Dwayne Johnson for allegedly derailing a crossover between Shazam! and Black Adam due to ego clashes. Furthermore, Levi publicly pinpointed online negativity as a contributing factor to diminished box office figures.
Aside from franchise turbulence, Levi’s recent acting ventures—including roles in Spy Kids: Armageddon, Harold and the Purple Crayon, and Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget—have not managed to recapture earlier commercial or critical acclaim. According to THR,
“Chicken Run: Dawn Of The Nugget,”
— THR, Source, and additional reporting suggested that Levi was markedly disheartened by the turn his leading superhero role had taken.
“When he was cast as Shazam!, it was literally his dream,”
— Anonymous inside source, THR. Another insight expressed,
“He thought this was his ticket to being The Rock or Chris Evans. But it didn’t happen for him, and he’s bitter about that.”
— Anonymous inside source, THR.
Levi’s Career Moves and Public Image
Despite the setbacks, Levi remains active, with several projects scheduled for release in 2025 and another, Hotel Tehran, coming next year. However, his handling of the backlash following Fury of the Gods was widely viewed as desperate and perhaps even self-entitled within parts of the film community.
Furthermore, Levi’s public endorsement of Donald Trump last year was perceived by some observers as a strategic move to garner favor among faith-based and conservative audiences, a demographic that has become increasingly significant in his more recent career moves. After moving from Los Angeles to Texas following the disappointing performance of Fury of the Gods, it appeared that Levi was intentionally distancing himself from mainstream Hollywood, both geographically and in terms of industry relationships. These developments added new layers to the narrative surrounding his ambitions and changing priorities as an actor.
The Uncertain Road Ahead in the DCU
As Levi wrapped up his comments about the possibility of collaborating with James Gunn and Peter Safran in the revised DC cinematic landscape, he said plainly,
“I think it would be a lot of fun.”
— Zachary Levi, Actor. Yet, as industry debate swirls, there is speculation about whether the production teams behind the new DCU would find working with Levi as enjoyable, particularly given previous conflicts. While Levi’s allegations against Dwayne Johnson’s influence on failed crossover opportunities may hold weight, observers have noted that his recent conduct suggests he has his own public relations issues to address. In such a fiercely competitive arena as the film industry, professional reputation carries consequences, potentially impacting a performer’s standing in future casting decisions.
For now, the prospect of Levi reprising Shazam! or finding new life in another role under James Gunn’s leadership remains uncertain. The actor’s trajectory, relationship with Warner Bros., and the ongoing James Gunn DCU casting decisions will all play critical roles in determining if and how Levi is reintegrated into the evolving world of DC films. As the DCU undergoes transformation, the implications for Levi and other actors on the periphery serve as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can rise, fall, and possibly shift again in Hollywood’s ever-changing landscape.
