While Billy Batson may be the central character of Shazam! Fury of the Gods, he's far from the only superhero in the film. The rest of his family also take the spotlight, particularly Freddy and Darla -- the former in an extended romantic subplot with one of the Daughters of Atlas while the latter becomes one of the film's most effective heroes.
In their superhero forms, Freddy and Darla are delightful -- for audiences and for the performers who brought them to life. Ahead of Shazam! Fury of the Gods' theatrical debut, CBR sat down with Adam Brody (Freddy Freeman/Captain Everypower) and Meagan Good (Darla Dudley) and discussed the fun of going big in the new superhero film and their dream direction for where the Shazam family go next. The actors also reflected on the evolution of the cinematic superhero genre.
CBR: From your perspective, what is it about Shazam! that makes it unique compared to the rest of the superhero genre?
Adam Brody: Well, I think the main [difference] is [that] they're kids, you know? I mean, even if they look like us, sometimes they're kids. The whole thing is through the lens of teenagers, and that's going to [make] it much sillier and also sweeter.
Meagan Good: It's endearing. [Since] they are making those decisions from their teenage brains, it's automatically more endearing. I think there's a certain type of investment you have when it's kids, and they're trying to figure [things] out -- especially kids in this blended family [who] have already been through a lot at a young age. I think it just does have a completely different energy and vibe to it.
You both get to go big in this film -- Adam with that Captain Everypower swagger and Meagan with that big kid energy of Darla. How much fun is it to walk onto set and get to go big like that?
Brody: It's so very fun. For me, it's super easy to go too far in that direction. I don't know that I'm doing Jack any favors. It's irresistible to not be as goofy as you can be.
Good: I love it. It's so funny because I remember when I auditioned for the first one, I had no idea what I was auditioning for. They were like, "You just have to be a kid." I was like, "That's easy. That's fun." I had no idea what it was. I got the job, and they were like, "You got Shazam!" I was like, "Great, what is that?" They were like, "Shazam." They sent me a comic book, and I was like, "Oh."
Adam, you've got a bit of a history with this genre -- you played the comics-obsessed Seth Cohen in The OC, and you were almost the Flash when Justice League: Mortal was being developed. From your perspective, what has it been like to watch this genre explode?
Brody: Well, I see two sides to it. On one hand, it's very thrilling and satisfying, and it's something that I'm always going to have a reverence and excitement for. I'll never not be excited about a new Batman. At the same time, is it oversaturated? I mean, is it a problem? I think the market will kind of dictate [that].
I do think that it's been nice to see with every new iteration, a freshening up -- a new angle, a different look. I'm talking about DC, Marvel, and everything. It's just sort of a new [creative lens] to entertain people on a mass scale. I think the possibilities are endless. At the same time, you know, it certainly could use some fresh blood. I actually thought [Avatar: Way of Water] was a refreshing look at a blockbuster.
If you had your dream team-up, who would you love to see the Philidelphia Fiascos team up with next?
Brody: I guess trying to juxtapose them with the opposite thing [would be fun] -- so it's like, Batman or [the] Suicide Squad. Somewhere they don't belong, you know? With Lobo, somewhere they really don't belong.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods comes to theaters Mar. 17.