Shazam has become one of the most beloved and lighthearted superhero characters in the expanding DC cinematic universe over recent years. After the huge success of the first Shazam! movie in 2019, starring Zachary Levi as the title character, excited fans have been eager to see the return of this mighty yet good-humored hero.
Well, after much anticipation, New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures have finally announced details around the highly-awaited sequel film - Shazam! Fury of the Gods. This follow-up to 2019’s Shazam! is slated to continue the story of teenager Billy Batson who transforms into the adult superhero Shazam.
Shazam 3 Release Date
In an official statement this past week, the studios revealed that Shazam 3! will be scheduled for theatrical release on March 17, 2023 in North America. This means fans will be able to catch this next adventure on the big screen in IMAX and 3D formats for an epic viewing experience.
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Zachary Levi will reprise his role as Shazam, along with returning cast members like Asher Angel as Billy Batson, Jack Dylan Grazer as Freddy Freeman, and more. Also joining the Shazam 3 line-up are acclaimed stars like Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu taking on villain roles, adding even more star power to this comedic action flick.
| Name | Shazam! |
|---|---|
| Title | Shazam! |
| Directed by | David F. Sandberg |
| Produced by | Peter Safran, etc. |
| Screenplay by | Henry Gayden |
| Based on | Characters by DC Comics |
| Starring | Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer |
| Music by | Benjamin Wallfisch |
| Cinematography | Maxime Alexandre |
| Production companies | New Line Cinema, DC Films, etc. |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures |
| Release date | March 15, 2019 (US) |
| Running time | 132 minutes |
| Budget | $80–100 million |
| Box office | $366 million |
Is Shazam Part 3 coming?
With the film’s director David F. Sandberg and screenwriter Henry Gayden both returning from the first movie, fans can expect the same vibrant style and humor in the sequel. Not to mention that acclaimed composer Benjamin Wallfisch is also coming back to score the soundtrack, after getting rave reviews for the music accompanying the 2019 film.
Given how well-received the first Shazam! film was by audiences for its lighthearted tone and first-rate entertainment value, anticipation for the sequel has been sky-high among superhero fans. Shazam brought a refreshing flavor to the DC slate with its uplifting coming-of-age message and laugh-out-loud moments.
So the confirmation that the lovable character will be back on screens in under a year’s time is fantastic news for fans globally. Not only can they look forward to more cheerfully-epic action and effects as Shazam battles new villains, but also further exploration of Billy Batson/Shazam’s personal growth into a bonafide hero.
For Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema, greenlighting a Shazam sequel also seems a strategically smart move considering the lucrative box office gains delivered by the franchise so far. As one of DC’s most profitable film properties lately, investing in a blockbuster follow-up hitting theaters next Spring makes perfect business sense.
So in summary – mark your 2024 calendars because Shazam is indeed back for another whimsically action-packed adventure when Shazam! Fury of the Gods opens in theaters globally next March. With his iconic red suit, infectious enthusiasm and unwavering bravery on full display once more, the World’s Mightiest Mortal is set to continue delighting audiences across the world soon.
Why is Shazam 3 delayed?
Shazam! was one of 2019’s surprise hit movies, delighting fans with its humor and optimistic tone as teenager Billy Batson transformed into an adult superhero. Naturally, the film’s feel-good story and critical acclaim had audiences eagerly anticipating a sequel in the coming years.
However, while initial announcements in 2019 suggested Shazam 3! could release as early as April 2022, New Line Cinema has faced significant delays getting the sequel into production. This has left fans wondering - why exactly has the highly-awaited next chapter in this whimsical franchise been pushed back?
Well, the most prominent reason cited for delays with Shazam 3! is the challenging circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years. When the virus outbreak caused global lockdowns in early 2020, all major Hollywood productions had to abruptly halt filming.
This included the Shazam sequel, which was just gearing up for principal photography when the pandemic brought the entertainment industry to a standstill. And while some productions have now resumed under strict safety protocols, the extended filming hiatus has inevitably pushed release timelines back.
Will Black Adam be in Shazam 3?
Industry insiders have pointed out that effects-heavy superhero flicks like Shazam 3! require extensive post-production work as well. So the team needs sufficient time after wrapping up the shoot to deliver the high standard of visual effects audiences expect from a DC blockbuster nowadays.
Another key factor in the Shazam 3 delays has been scheduling coordination with other major DC films like Black Adam, which features the main anti-hero character Shazam originally got his powers from. Allowing some spacing between these interconnected film releases is likely a strategic move by Warner Bros.
There were also likely logistical considerations with getting such a large ensemble cast assembled amidst other project commitments once the industry resumed. With the central adult and teen superhero groups both returning, aligning all their schedules would have no doubt posed challenges too.
So while the delays have undoubtedly been frustrating for fans who’ve keenly awaited more from their favorite fledgling superhero, the extra time in production will hopefully result in an even bigger, better and hilarious second outing befitting the loveable character.
The studio seems to feel the extended timeline will work toward delivering a quality, crowd-pleasing sequel; one that hopefully builds successfully on the $366 million worldwide gross of the original. And Zachary Levi remains committed to reprising his title role once all pieces fully align as well.
So in summary – while the long wait for more from the kid-turned-hero has tested fans’ patience, Shazam 3! looks to ultimately be taking shape as an even more action-packed, VFX-laden comedic adventure worth waiting for in the DC universe. The filmmakers simply need more time to craft a deserving follow-up for this uniquely endearing character in these challenging times.
What Steve said. ✒️ It's official you can own SHAZAM! FURY OF THE GODS on Blu-ray Today! pic.twitter.com/NE0CflSDIZ
— Shazam! Fury of the Gods (@ShazamMovie) May 23, 2023