DC Studios’ newest release Shazam! Fury of the Gods opened on Thursday. The film’s evening previews grossed $3.4 million at the domestic box office.
Prerelease tracking suggests the Shazam! sequel will open at $35 million over the weekend. Shazam! 2 is markedly behind the first film’s domestic opening at $53.5 million and the $5.9 million in previews earned by Shazam! In 2019. The sequel has also garnered are mere 55 percent critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, compared to the 90 percent score of the first film.
Fury of the Gods sees returning hero Billy Batson (Asher Angel), superhero moniker Shazam (Zachary Levi ), taking on the Daughters of Atlas, trio of ancient goddesses played by Helen Mirren, Lucy Liu, and Rachel Zegler, who’re attempting to reclaim the powers the wizard Shazam (Djimon Hounsou) stole from them.
Batson is backed up by his extended family and fellow superheroes Freddy (Jack Dylan Grazer/Adam Brody), Eugene (Ian Chen/Ross Butler), Darla (Faithe Herman/Meagan Good), Pedro (Jovan Armand/D.J. Cotrona) and Mary (Grace Caroline Currey).
The movie is directed by David F. Sandberg and written by Henry Gayden and Chris Morgen.
Shazam! 2 marks the 12th installment in the DC Extended Universe, and the first release since James Gunn and Peter Safran took over DC Studios. The movie also comes as the fate of many actors in the DC Universe is in question. Superman actor Henry Cavill, for example, will not be returning to the role. At the Hollywood premiere of Fury of the Gods, Levi addressed his future at DC, stating, “I’m very happy with this movie… I hope it’s not my last.”
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