This article contains spoilers for Shazam! Fury of the Gods
The criticism that is currently ongoing against the Shazam 2 film has brought forward a section of the debate that resides at the fringes of the old DCEU and encroaches upon the new DCU. Zachary Levi who also happens to be a part of the SnyderVerse has decidedly taken the matter to heart and has stepped into the debate to elevate the misunderstandings. One of those includes the criticism levied against the new DC chief, James Gunn.
Also read: 9 Reasons Why Shazam 2 Failed at the Box Office
Zachary Levi Comes to James Gunn’s Defense
In the years spanning the divide between the two Shazam! releases, Zack Snyder’s finished vision for Justice League was released, which consequently took over the world of DC – forever marking a lost dream and a potential what-could’ve-been. Since then, the argument in favor of Zack Snyder has been mounting and the fans have barely given leeway to the DC management who have been consistent in their promise of erasing the SnyderVerse out of existence.
In light of this fact, the election of James Gunn as the face of the new DCU has not only received a lot of flak but has also been the punching bag for the former fandom. Zachary Levi, on his part, has come to the defense of the co-CEO more than once over the past few weeks. His argument, in summation, is that Gunn deserves a chance to prove his vision for the franchise’s future and the trust that he can build a sustainable DC universe for the fans to enjoy for decades to come.
Zachary Levi Defends Jennifer Holland’s Cameo in Shazam 2
It’s safe to say that the fans were more than a little dismayed to find Jennifer Holland in the mid-credits scene of Shazam! Fury of the Gods. The actor, after her marriage to Gunn, has been on the receiving end of the nepotism debate, considering her appearance in the Black Adam movie as well as Shazam 2.
However, the crux of the matter stands that her role as a highly trained professional chosen directly by Amanda Waller herself, an operative who knows what needs to be done, and can handle a dangerous crew of anti-villains is a valuable asset to the team. The only fault in the scenario is that the actor is married to the current co-Chairman of DC Studios and as such, has automatically become prey to criticism.
“People are slagging on James Gunn because Jennifer Holland, his wife, who is an actress, who’s on Peacemaker and was in Suicide Squad, yes, but is connected to the Justice Society.”
Shazam 2 director, David F. Sandberg, too, commented on the mid-credit scene claiming that their original intent to feature actors from Black Adam’s JSA meant cutting through several red tapes and navigating production complications, but Peter Safran came to the rescue at the last minute, making a few calls and putting together what now constitutes the Shazam 2 mid-credits scene.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods is now playing in theatres worldwide.
Source: Instagram | Zachary Levi
