While Shazam! star Mark Strong won't be returning as Dr. Sivana for the upcoming sequel, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, the actor has given his blessing to Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu, who will play the eponymous hero's new enemies, Hespera and Kalypso, respectively.

While speaking to ComicBook.com, Strong confirmed his absence from Fury of the Gods sequel and discussed Mirren and Liu's involvement in the film. "You're not going to see me in the sequel. Finally, I'm finally allowed to say it," Strong said.

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"I've had to sort of bite my tongue for so long, but I think they're about to start filming in Atlanta and I'm very happy to give way to Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu, who I think are going to make a couple of fantastic villains," he continued. "I mean, judging by the performances by Emma Thompson and Emma Stone in Cruella, it's time for the female villains, I think. Well, you know, maybe he's gone unfinished with Mister Mind and we'll be back further down the line, who knows." Strong also discussed the first Shazam! movie, describing it as "so much fun" and explaining that his sons "absolutely loved that film."

"And it's got, you know, Zach [Levi] has got such an irrepressible sort of sense about him that it's just it's very watchable," he added. "And all the boys in it were, all the family, you know, they were fantastic. So it's got those cozy, it's got family values. It's got good over evil. It's got everything you kind of want from that kind of a movie. Actually, the only one that I can think of that I would say is in the same league is the one you mentioned earlier which is Stardust, which is a fantastic movie."

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As of now, the plot of Shazam! Fury of the Gods is unknown. However, the film has also added West Side Story star Rachel Zegler to its cast, though her role is also being kept under wraps. Additionally, Fury of the Gods will supposedly resurrect the wizard Shazam, with Djimon Hounsou reprising the role.

Directed by David F. Sandberg, Shazam! Fury of the Gods stars Zachary Levi as Shazam, Jack Dylan Grazer as Freddy Freeman, Asher Angel as Billy Batson, Marta Milans as Mama Rosa, Helen Mirren as Hespera, Lucy Liu as Kalypso and Rachel Zegler in an undisclosed role. The film arrives in theaters June 2, 2023.

KEEP READING: Shazam! Fury of the Gods Casts Lucy Liu as Kalypso

Source: ComicBook.com