Summary:
- Zachary Levi is reportedly upset that his role as Shazam! didn’t make him as famous as Dwayne Johnson or Chris Evans, despite his high hopes.
- His career has faced setbacks following the underperformance of Shazam! Fury of the Gods and controversies surrounding his political views and social media activity.
Zachary Levi, best known for playing the lead role in Shazam! for the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), is reportedly “bitter” over his lack of breakout success compared to stars like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Marvel’s Chris Evans. According to a source close to Levi, the actor had hoped his role as Shazam would elevate his career to the level of Hollywood heavyweights but feels disappointed that it didn’t happen.
“When he was cast as Shazam, it was literally his dream,” the source told The Hollywood Reporter. He thought this was his ticket to being The Rock or Chris Evans. But it didn’t happen for him, and he’s bitter about that.”
Despite the first Shazam! movie’s commercial success, grossing $367.8 million on a $100 million budget and earning a 90% critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes, its sequel, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, struggled. The follow-up barely recouped its $125 million budget and failed to capture the same critical praise, leading to further frustration for Levi. Alongside this, his political views and social media activity have sparked controversy, with criticism directed at his endorsement of Donald Trump and anti-vaccination remarks.
Levi’s disappointment in his DCEU trajectory worsened after Dwayne Johnson‘s canceled appearance in Fury of the Gods prevented an anticipated showdown between Shazam and Black Adam. Levi also faced public backlash after mocking Britney Spears’ fight to end her conservatorship, and following transphobic accounts online.
Since the underperformance of Fury of the Gods, Levi has shifted his focus toward family-friendly projects like Spy Kids: Armageddon and Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, although neither has significantly bolstered his career. His upcoming action film, Hotel Tehran, starring alongside Liam Neeson, offers another chance to reignite his star power.
Though Levi expressed hope that his Shazam character would find a place in James Gunn and Peter Safran‘s restructured DC Universe, it seems unlikely. So far, only John Cena’s Peacemaker and Xolo Maridueña’s Blue Beetle have made the transition from the DCEU.
Both Shazam! films are available to stream on Max.
