As James Gunn and Peter Safran set about rebuilding and reshaping the DC Universe from the ground up, there’s a lot of anticipation and speculation among fans to see how they will portray familiar characters with a new splash of colors. Among them, this unexpected superhero possesses the potential to shatter box office records in a universe that has remained relatively tame in recent years, to say the least.
And it’s not Batman or Superman, but Shazam! With all roles being recast, fans are now buzzing about Alan Ritchson, who they believe was born to play this role. That’s how it can all go down!
How Alan Ritchson Could Change the Game for Shazam in the DCU!
Alan Ritchson has already broken the internet, as fans seemingly can’t stop discussing the actor taking on the role of Shazam. Countless posters and edits have flooded social media, with Ritchson also occasionally chiming in to tease or perhaps troll. Only time will tell!
James Gunn has already stated that the rumors of Zachary Levi being replaced by Ritchson are not true on X after a fan asked “Is this true?”.
no lol jesus
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) April 13, 2023
While it doesn’t necessarily mean it can’t be done in the near future, currently, nothing has been confirmed. Moreover, there’s uncertainty regarding whether Levi will reprise his role as the superhero. The first installment performed exceptionally well at the box office, earning $363 million and garnering the approval of both fans and critics.
However, the sequel failed to make a significant impact, falling far short of expectations. Despite managing to attract some viewers, it grossed only $133.5 million worldwide, making it a huge flop.
With the excitement surrounding Ritchson, this potential recast could indeed breathe new life into the role. Interestingly, the actor has already had a presence in the DC universe in some capacity, having previously appeared as Superman in Smallville, as well as in Titans, Legends of Tomorrow, and Supergirl. Fans have long awaited this moment, especially since DC is starting fresh with a clean slate. The wait is on, as fans eagerly await any further developments.
Why Alan Ritchson Is the Top Choice for Fans?
For those not familiar with the actor or out of the loop on DC news, the selection of Alan Ritchson might seem puzzling. However, fans have compelling reasons why they consider Ritchson the superior choice compared to Zachary Levi.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Ritchson has been considered for the role by the fans. Before Levi was cast, the actor openly or rather jokingly expressed his desire to take on the mantle for the then-upcoming solo Shazam movie in the DCEU. Consequently, rumors have been circulating for quite some time now.
Here are some reasons fans think Alan Ritchson is fitting for the role,
Man was Born for the Role⚡ pic.twitter.com/8Ila55J5my
— DARK INFAMY ™️🫧 (@DarkInfamy_) March 18, 2024
He can play better shazam role than zachary levi did.
— The ZrBn🤩🖊️ (@TheZrbn) March 18, 2024
He does yeah, Zachary looks like the kinda Shazam they’d use for an else worlds project or something lol
— DEMONOFGOTHAM 🦇 (@guywholovesbats) March 18, 2024
Separate note: I personally think Shazam is needs to reintroduced after strong foundational members (like trinity) have been established w/ good writing & execution of their movies. Then they can recruit new members & use the popularity of the foundational characters to bolster…
— deeceelife (@deeceelife) March 18, 2024
Agree and I think if he’s gonna play anyone in the DCU it should be Shazam. Mainly because he looks like him but also I think he can play that playful and childish character very well.
— graham 🇵🇸 (@imbatman2426) March 18, 2024
Yes that it! Actually and he can be very silly and childish it’s a good cast
— 🄱🅁🅄🄽🄾 (@ShawneeSeanShon) March 19, 2024
Not only does the actor Alan Ritchson look the part, but fans also believe that his acting range perfectly matches the character’s persona. His number one strength as per fans, being silly and goofy on camera, interestingly aligns well with what fans envision for the role. Fans have now sincerely made their case for Ritchson, and while nothing can be confirmed just yet, only time will answer the eager anticipation of fans!
