Ryan According to a report Zachary Levi’s Shazam was originally planned to appear in Black Adam before Dwayne Johnson opposed the inclusion.
This article may contain minor spoilers regarding Shazam! Fury of the Gods is currently in cinemas.
Black Adam star Dwayne Johnson was reported to have vetoed the inclusion of Zachary Levi’s Shazam in one of the film’s 2022 post-credits scenes.
The Wrap informs us that Johnson secretly vetoed plans for the post-credits sequence Black Adam in which Hawkman (Aldis Hodge) and the Justice Society offer Levi Shazam a spot on the team of superheroes. The scene was cut from 2022, however, it was later used in the Shazam mid-credits scene. Fury of Gods. But, instead of the Justice Society, Peacemaker characters Emilia Harcourt and John Economos were shown attempting to recruit Billy into the Justice Society on behalf of Amanda Waller.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, Shazam! The Wrap reported that Fury of the Gods Star Zachary Levi responded via Instagram to the report of The Wrap. Levi posted a 21 March post that referenced The Wrap’s story and included the following caption “The truth shall set your free.” The official confirmation of the initial report regarding Johnson’s involvement in Fury of the Gods post-credit scene is not yet available.
Related: Black Adam Seemingly Retconned an eminent Shazam! Plot Point
The Wrap‘s insiders also noted that Johnson’s indifference to Black Adam’s connection with Shazam! could have been a factor in Fury of the Gods not doing well at the box office. They also noted that Johnson had done a lot of work to derail the Shazam! franchise publically, mainly through teaser clips featuring Superman’s archnemesis, Black Adam. Black Adam. The scene in the middle of credits that Johnson did approve for Black Adam featured his titular antihero meeting Superman and was played for the final time by Henry Cavill.
Black Adam Is Not Part of James Gunn’s Original DCU Plans
Johnson frequently expressed his desire to see the Black Adam’s DC Universe journey culminate with the creation of a Black Adam vs. Superman film. Johnson revealed that any future DCU plans that involved Black Adam were put off due to Gunn Safran, Gunn, and their 10-year vision of the universe they share. “James Gunn and I have a connection, and Black Adam will not be part of their initial chapter of storytelling,” he revealed in December 2022. “However, DC and Seven Bucks have decided to keep investigating the most beneficial ways Black Adam could be used in the future DC multiverse stories.”
Related: Dwayne Johnson Angered WB Execs by going over their Heads to the CEO
What does the future hold for Shazam?
Shazam! Fury of the Gods released before the beginning of Gunn and Safran’s rebooted DCU many fans have been wondering whether Levi will remain as Shazam, the movie’s main character, or if the franchise may also be placed on hold. Although there is no information at this time about the character’s continuation in Gunn’s rebooted timeline, Levi previously stated that a robust showing at the box office would show DC Studios that there is an ongoing interest in the Shazam family. Fury of the Gods is doing poorly at the box office. It opened much less than its predecessor, Shazam! Fans might be bored with Levi’s Shazam, as the Flash is scheduled to reboot the shared universe’s timeline.
Black Adam can be streamed on HBO Max and Shazam! Fury of the Gods is currently in cinemas.