Shazam has it all: wisdom, strength, stamina, power, courage and speed! 2019’s Shazam! saw young Billy Batson step into the golden boots of an all-powerful superhero thanks to a mysterious old wizard. Funny, moving, and totally action-packed, the beloved film is finally getting a sequel in the form of Shazam! Fury of the Gods. Of course, new movies mean new villains, and the upcoming flick appears to be playing all its casting aces. Zachary Levi will be reprising his role as the titular hero, and Asher Angel is returning as the teenage form of Billy. Djimon Hounsou will grace the silver screen yet again as the mighty old wizard, and more incredible actors are set to join the ranks.
Indeed, Shazam! Fury of the Gods will also introduce us to two new characters: Kalypso, played by Lucy Liu, and Hespera, played by Dame Helen Mirren. These two characters — or actors, for that matter — have never been seen on-screen quite like this! Liu and Mirren will undoubtedly show us some of their most powerful work as otherworldly goddesses. If you’re eagerly awaiting the Shazam's release and just can’t stand not knowing more, we’ve got you covered — here’s a brief look at who Kalypso and Hespera are and how could impact Shazam! Fury of the Gods.
Who is Kalypso?
Fans might not recognize Kalypso because she isn't actually based on any characters from DC Comics. Rather, she takes inspiration from Calypso, one of the fabled daughters of Atlas in Greek mythology. In the mythos, Calypso doesn't get to do much; she lives alone on the island of Ogygia, an isolated little haven often associated with the lost city of Atlantis. Odysseus stumbles upon her home and discovers that it's fragrant and lush, and Calypso attempts to keep him prisoner as her immortal husband.
Eventually, Hermes delivers a message from Zeus commanding her to release her captive, to which she laments that the gods hate mortals having affairs with goddesses. Some accounts speculate that Calypso bore Odysseus' children, and others mention that she killed herself in a fit of unrequited love. She didn't play a particularly large role in mythology, but it's said she was able to provide her lover all the tools he needed to craft a boat and get off Ogygia.
Luckily, it seems that Lucy Liu will get to do a lot more in the upcoming Shazam! Fury of the Gods. Kalypso is rumored to be a supervillain, and her character appears to be quite powerful. Her Greek counterpart didn't necessarily have any powers aside from running a loving home, but early set photos suggest that this version will most certainly have superhuman abilities. Kalypso is wearing battle-worn armor, and behind-the-scenes photos suggest she'll be carrying an impressive weapon. It's not clear yet what her goals will be, but it does appear that she'll be working alongside her sister throughout the film. Yes, Hespera is Kalypso's sister in the movie.
Who is Hespera?
That's right: Dame Helen Mirren will be portraying Hespera, another daughter of Atlas. Like her sister, Hespera has no counterpart in the DC Universe. She's loosely derived from the Hesperides, who are sometimes referred to as the Nymphs of the West or the Daughters of the Evening. These are all collective names for a group of Atlas' daughters, and mythology tells us that there may have been anywhere between three and seven of them. The maidens were named for the colors of the sunset and tasked with protecting golden apples beyond the Ocean. The Hesperides have been seen in multiple branches of Greek mythology, and they've interacted with a wide range of gods and demi-gods.
Since Mirren's character is also rumored to be a villain in the movie, there's no telling if she's based on any one daughter. She may have loose connections with Hesperia (sometimes called Asterope), whose name roughly translates to 'lightning'. If this is the case, there's a chance her abilities may involve electricity — since Mirren has been seen using her hands rather than a weapon, this theory may have some basis. Regardless, Hespera is supposedly known as the Goddess of Immortality in the film, and it seems she'll be pretty important in Shazam's next adventure.
Like Kalypso, Hespera appears to be garbed in regal armor. Interestingly, her color scheme uses gold as opposed to her sister's silver; given the age difference between the actresses, Hespera may be the older of the two and in a higher seat of power. One released photo shows both women without crowns and in Spartan-like red capes, but it's unclear where these costumes fit in the movie.
As far as the relationship between Hespera and Kalypso, we're still in the theorizing phase. Their traditional Greek counterparts don't have any connections, and there aren't any stories or myths that bring the two together. Given that Atlas is one of the bestowers of Shazam's power (that power being wisdom), there is a chance he'll make an appearance and clear things up for the audience. Rachel Zegler is also slated to join the film, and some rumors suggest she'll also be playing a daughter of Atlas. Unfortunately, it's far too early to tell what her role is or how she'll connect with the others.
We're excited to see these powerhouse women on-screen. As of 2022, Mirren and Liu have never been in a movie together, so this is an extremely exciting development. Whether this dynamic duo aims to wreak havoc on mankind, take over the planet or carry out some other villainous plan, there's no doubt Kalypso and Hespera will take Shazam! Fury of the Gods to a whole new level.