Rachel Zegler, an actor in the upcoming Shazam! sequel, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, reacted to news that the film has been delayed.
Zegler posted a behind-the-scenes photo with co-star Zachary Levi, who plays Shazam, on her Instagram story, writing: "Since our movie got moved, here's a pic of Zac and I." She added that the film is now set to be released on March 17, 2023.
News of Shazam 2's delay officially broke on Aug. 24, alongside a postponement for the Aquaman sequel. Fury of the Gods was pushed back from Dec. 21, 2022, to March 17, 2023, while Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was moved from March 15, 2023, to Dec. 25, 2023.
The DCEU Continues to Move Its Films Around
Rumors regarding a Shazam! delay floated around for the majority of August. Concerns arose after Batgirl was abruptly canceled by Warner Bros. Discovery, a decision that was allegedly made because of "the desire for the studio's slate of DC features to be at a blockbuster scale." Following rumors that Warner Bros. Discovery canned Batgirl because of its poor performance at a test screening, studio insiders explained that the "decision was not driven by the quality of the film or the commitment of the filmmakers."
It is unclear why exactly Shazam 2's release was pushed back, but the film's director, David F. Sandberg, thinks that Avatar 2 is partially to blame. "While I'm an impatient bastard who wants people to see [Shazam! 2] as soon as possible (the film will be fully done in just a few weeks), the move makes sense since Avatar was taking all IMAX/PLF screens. Fury of the Gods is a big movie & should be seen big!" Zegler seems to share this sentiment, too, as she added in her recent BTS Instagram story, "But hey, enjoy Avatar!"
Borys Kit of The Hollywood Reporter, however, believes the delay is simply a product of Warner Bros. Discovery being strapped for cash. Kit tweeted that the company's "moves underscore what a financial mess Warner Bros. Discovery is as the studio has only enough cash to release 2 movies from now to the end of this year (Don't Worry Darling and Black Adam)." He also stated that a producer told him that Warner Bros. Discovery has "no money and no clues."
Shazam! Fury of the Gods is currently set to hit the big screen on March 17, 2023.
Source: Instagram, via ScreenRant