The Shazam! sequel has secured a big name to play Billy Batson’s newest onscreen adversary. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Helen Mirren has signed on to play the villain in Shazam!: Fury of the Gods.
Mirren will menace Zachary Levi’s titular superhero as Hespera, the daughter of Atlas. Although Hespera doesn’t seem to have a counterpart in DC’s comic book universe, Atlas certainly does. This version of the character (based on the Greek myth) was created by Jack Kirby in 1975. What’s strange is that Atlas was a hero himself, so it’s anyone’s guess as to how the filmmakers will handle his portrayal in Fury of the Gods. THR’s sources also claim that Mirren and co-star Rachel Zegler are playing siblings who “may or may not be of ill intent.” Zegler previously joined the film last month, becoming the first new addition to the sequel’s cast.
Mirren is a four-time Academy Award nominee, winning only once for her performance in The Queen in 2006. Although Mirren is primarily known for her dramatic work, she’s also dabbled in action films before. Mirren will next appear in the upcoming ninth entry in the Fast and Furious franchise, F9. She also starred in both RED films in 2010 and 2013.
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Levi is returning to headline Fury of the Gods, which is also expected to star Asher Angel and Jack Dylan Grazer as the teenage Billy Batson and Freddy Freeman, respectively. David F. Sandberg is directing the film from a screenplay by Henry Gayden and Chris Morgan.
Shazam!: Fury of the Gods hits theaters on June 2, 2023.
Are you excited to hear that Mirren has joined the film’s cast? Do you have any theories about her character? Tell us what you think in the comment section below!
Recommended Reading: Shazam! Vol. 1: The Seven Magic Lands Part 1
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