The release of Shazam! Fury of the Gods is just around the corner, and the sequel will include some LGBT representation with the introduction of a gay character, as writers anticipate. Released in 2019, the first installment of the adventures of the World’s Mightiest Mortal became a hit, bringing some fresh and fun air to the dark DCU from Zack Snyder’s vision.
Now, under new rules and a bunch of changes thanks to James Gunn stepping up as DC Studios' creative director, the future of Asher Angel and Zachary Levi’s Billy Batson is uncertain, but that won’t stop them from having one, possibly, last ride. And this new adventure will come with some good changes.
In an interview with Dorkacholics, screenwriters Henry Gayden and Chris Morgan opened up about inclusion and representation in the film, which will come from Jovan Armand and D.J. Cotrona’s character Pedro Peña:
"The only new addition for this movie is being a lot more forthright about Pedro being gay. And that was hinted at in the first movie very subtly. And I thought it was really important and really, really fought for us including that and bringing that to the fore in this movie."
In the first movie, the group of kids are transported inside a strip club, and after they come out, Pedro claims that’s "not [his] thing."
Shazam! Fury of the Gods Plot
In this second installment, Billy Batson and his family will have to face new challenges and outstanding villains in the form of Lucy Liu and Helen Mirren, two of the great additions to this new story, along with Rachel Zegler. They will play the daughters of Atlas, Kalypso, Hespera, and Anthea, who will come to Earth to reclaim the power taken from them, endangering all of humanity.
In addition to the returns of Zachary Levi, Sher Angel, Jovan Arman, and D.J. Cotrona, the film will also see the return of Jack Dylan Grazer and Adam Brody as Freddy; Faithe Herman and Meagan Good as Darla; Ian Chen and Ross Butler as Eugene; Grace Fulton as Maria; like Peter; Marta Milans and Cooper Andrews.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods will be the first of the four films that DC Comics and Warner Discovery will bring to theaters in 2023, along with The Flash, Blue Beetle, and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.