DC Studios boss James Gunn has addressed the mid-credit scene of Shazam! Fury of the Gods and why there will not be a follow-up to it in the future.
“It wasn’t my call and I didn’t write it — although it came out when I had just started at DC, its inclusion far predates me as (as does Harcourt as the warden of an underwater prison!),” Gunn said when asked about the scene in the Shazam! sequel on his Threads account. “And, although I thought it was fun, I have no idea why those characters would be recruiting for the JS.”
The mid-credits scene that Gunn addressed involved Billy Batson (Zachary Levi) getting approached by Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) and John Economos (Steve Agee) from DC’s Peacemaker series. Billy turns down an offer they give on behalf of Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) to join the Justice Society, which was previously featured in 2022’s Black Adam. Additionally, Harcourt made a cameo in Black Adam as the warden of an underwater prison where supervillains are held captive.
The original plan for Shazam 2’s mid-credits scene
Shazam! Fury of the Gods director David F. Sandberg revealed previously that other Justice Society characters introduced in Black Adam were originally set to appear in the mid-credits scene. Despite building a set for the scene, Sanberg was disappointed to learn that the cameos were pulled three days before shooting. Producer and current co-DC boss Peter Safran decided to bring the Peacemaker characters in at the last minute, which left the director more confused than relieved.
“Jen Holland and Steve Agee were able to come by on very short notice,” Sandberg recalled. “I mean, the scene makes a little less sense with them. It’s like, ‘Why are they recruiting for Justice Society?’ but you can kind of see it as they’re working for Amanda Waller.”
Shazam! Fury of the Gods is now streaming on Max.
