The 2019 DC film Shazam! introduced Asher Angel as Billy Batson and Zachary Levi as his superhero alter ego, Shazam. The first film follows Billy’s journey after he is chosen as the successor of a wizard who possesses powers from the gods of Canaanite origin. It focuses on how a teenage boy adapts to his new foster home, along with accepting his new identity as a superhero. Considering that the first film received quite a positive response from the audience, people expected that the sequel would also be as enjoyable as its predecessor.
However, critics review-bombed the sequel, leading it to suffer at the box office. It’s been almost a month since its release, and people are still talking about the things that went wrong with the Shazam sequel, one of them being sidelining Billy Batson’s story.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods Sidelines Asher Angel’s Character
While the first film focused on Billy Batson and his superhero alter ego, Shazam, the sequel seems to have shifted its priorities toward the superhero only. The balance between Billy Batson, which was consistent in the 2019 film, seemed lost in the sequel as it puts the superhero in the spotlight more frequently than Billy Batson.
In an effort to make it more like a superhero action movie, Fury of the Gods sidelines Billy’s social life as a teenager, unlike the 2019 film. It also caused a lack of screen time for the 20-year-old actor.
It also led to discussions on social media about why Levi acted like a child when the Jolene actor seemed much more mature than him. The issues did not just end here, as people also pointed out Zachary Levi’s performance as Shazam, which seemed inconsistent with his co-star, Asher Angel.
A Twitter user pointed to the inconsistency by sharing a screenshot from the film, which shows Angel and Levi side-by-side soon after Billy Batson transitions into his superhero alter ego.
Zachary Levi’s Inconsistent Performance With Asher Angel
In a viral Twitter thread, a user pointed out Zachary Levi’s poor performance in Shazam! Fury of the Gods. The side-by-side snippets of Asher Angel and Levi do not seem to show the consistent emotions between the characters, which are supposed to be the same.
The problem with Zachary Levi's portrayal can be summed up with these two shots, he didn't care to keep the emotions and tone consistent.
Asher, you deserved better pal. pic.twitter.com/YQuCLDTra6— 🜃AK (@xzscnx) April 11, 2023
Can’t you blame the director too for allowing it? Like if we can notice it there’s no way he didn’t
— DSG (@Zeus2AKronus) April 12, 2023
I've never been mad at the Asher to to Zach transformation from looks but Levi always acts way more cockey than Billy.
— JRL (@Mrmittencrafter) April 12, 2023
I agree to an extent. I thought @asherangel deserved more screen time for sure. He was acting his ass off and I like @ZacharyLevi came in to happy/childish at the wrong which stems from editing, or screenplay. Shazam 2 was decent, just so little screen time for Billy who’s the ⭐️
— Joseph (@JosephS384) April 12, 2023
I mean, you don't really need the first screenshot.
— blueturtle77 (@blueturtle77) April 12, 2023
💯 it was my main problem with the movie. Billy is a timid kid but everytime he turns into Shazam he's this big eccentric caricature of what a kid with super powers is.
— 2baked4this5hit (@Ayejess5101) April 12, 2023
People also came in support of the On Pointe actor, who people seem to like much better than Levi in the movie. They also called out the director of the film for failing to notice what was spotted by the audience. They pointed out how Levi’s performance was in stark contrast to his co-star. Many also discussed that Angel deserved more screen time than he had in the sequel.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods is playing in theatres.
Source: Twitter
