Shazam 2 Release Date and Production Details
Shazam 2, officially titled Shazam! Fury of the Gods, is a sequel produced by New Line Cinema and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. The film was released in the United States on March 17, 2023, following a shift from its original 2022 schedule. Principal photography took place in Atlanta, Georgia, with production wrapped in mid-2022. The movie was rated PG-13 by the MPA for sequences of violence and action, language, and some suggestive material.
The sequel was directed by David F. Sandberg, who also directed the first Shazam! film. The screenplay was written by Henry Gayden and Darren Lemke. The film was produced by Peter Safran and directed under the Warner Bros. Pictures banner. Shazam! Fury of the Gods was part of the broader DC Extended Universe lineup before the restructuring of DC Studios under James Gunn and Peter Safran.
Shazam 2 Cast and Characters
The lead role of Billy Batson, the teenager who transforms into the adult superhero Shazam, is played by Zachary Levi. Asher Angel portrays the younger version of Billy Batson. The film features Jack Dylan Grazer as Freddy Freeman, Rachel Zegler as Hespera, Helen Mirren as Kalypso, and Lucy Liu as Anthea. The cast also includes D.J. Cotrona as the villain Dr. Sivana, reprising his role from the first film.
Henry Gayden and Darren Lemke crafted the story around the Shazam family facing the Daughters of Atlas, ancient gods seeking to reclaim a powerful weapon. The film introduces the Wizard of Shazam, played by Djimon Hounsou, expanding the mythos of the Rock of Eternity. The ensemble cast combines returning actors from the first film with new additions to the antagonist lineup.
Shazam 2 Box Office and Critical Reception
Shazam! Fury of the Gods grossed approximately $133 million in the United States and Canada and an additional $131 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of around $264 million against a production budget of $125 million. The film opened at number two at the U.S. box office in its debut weekend, behind Disney's Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky, which was not a direct competitor but part of the same release window context.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a critic score of 49% based on over 200 reviews, with an audience score of 78%. Metacritic assigned the film a weighted average score of 47 out of 100, indicating mixed or average reviews. Critics noted the film's vibrant visual effects and family-friendly tone while citing a less original plot compared to the first installment. The film is available for digital purchase and streaming through platforms such as Forbes streaming guides.