Solomon (wisdom), Hercules (strength), Atlas (stamina), Zeus (power), Achilles (courage), and Mercury (speed) are the sources of Shazam’s powers. But did you know that in the comics, Shazam lost his powers because Darkseid’s death severed the connection of the gods inside Billy Batson? The wizard replaced them with new gods and derived Shazam’s powers from S’ivaa (strength), H’ronmeer (fire), Anapel (compassion), Zonuz (source manipulation), Atë (boldness), and Mamaragan (lightning).
Fawcett Comics, with artist C. C. Beck and writer Bill Parker, created Captain Marvel in 1939, first appeared in February 1940 (Whiz Comics #2), and the Shazam film in 2019. What things do you still not know about DC’s second Shazam franchise? Here are nine interesting things you might not know about Shazam! Fury of the Gods.
1. Shazam star is Zachary Levi Pugh.
The 42-year-old Shazam star is not in any way related to Florence Pugh. He began theater acting at age six in plays like Grease, The Wizard of Oz, and Big River. If you want him to guest in one of your plays or events, call a Zachary Levi agent!
2. “Shazamily” dates back to 1942.
Zachary Levi billed the Marvel family or Shazam family “Shazamily” during the San Diego Comic-Con 2022. Did you know that the term dates back to 1942? That year, Fawcett extended the franchise and created the Marvel Family through writer Otto Binder and artist Marc Swayze.
The Shazamily originally included Mary Bromfield (Mary Marvel/Lady Marvel) and Freddy Freeman (Captain Marvel Jr.). Later on, and in the 2019 film, they included Eugene Choi, Pedro Peña, and Darla Dudley.
3. The “family” joke links to the Fast saga.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods is a family reunion with the Fast saga. It’s obvious in Shazam’s joke when talking with Hespera signaling the other Shazam kids to attack.
Helen Mirren is Magdalene “Queenie” Shaw, mother of Deckard and Hattie, in three Furious films and the upcoming Furious X.
Djimon Hounsou, the wizard, played Mose Jakonde in Furious 7. As Nigerian terrorist, he used God’s Eye to pursue its creator and enemies.
Chris Morgan is also linked. But who is he? He’s just a mere writer of Shazam! Fury of the Gods – and the screenwriter and producer of most of the Fast and Furious franchise.
4. Shazam kids’ shirts signify more than just the wearers’ personalities.
Billy Batson wears Goonies merchandise. Levi compared the Shazamily with the kid adventurers in Steven Spielberg’s The Goonies (1985). So, expect the Shazamily for a family adventure to fight with and for their family and the world.
Freddy wears The Lord of the Rings shirt. The White Tree of Gondor symbolizes hope and renewed life that brings peace and prosperity. Could this mean that the gods lost their power, and the Shazamily stole them when they gained theirs?
Eugene Choi wears Iconoclasts (Robin) shirt. Aside from his passion for technology, did you know that Joakim “Konjak” Sandberg developed Iconoclasts on January 23, 2018? Yes, he’s the film director’s brother.
5. David F. Sandberg directed Annabelle: Creation.
Annabelle is present behind the scenes of both Shazam franchises. The doll was also present somewhere in Atlantis in James Wan’s Aquaman 2018.
6. Torpa and Junedal are related to Sandberg.
These words were painted on the wall where the Shazamily walked by and transformed. Torpa and Junedal are both schools in Jönköping, Sweden. Torpa is where he met his wife, Lotta Losten, while they studied together at Junedal.
7. “K” for Karaqan, “S” for Starro, and “T” for Titano.
You’ve watched Starro in The Suicide Squad 2021. These characters beg the question: “Will the audience expect Karaqan, an ancient beast Aquaman pierced, and Titano, the Super-Ape which shoots Kryptonite radiation from his eyes, in the film or other DCU upcoming films?”
8. Hespera’s and Kalypso’s characters are unique to the movie.
Both (with Anthea) are the daughters of Atlas. We’ll find out on Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ release date if DCU sticks to their Greek mythology characters, or gives them their own comics/DCU characters like Atlas and Athena!
9. March 17, 2023: final release date (hopefully).
It may have been rescheduled many times:
- April 1, 2022
- November 4, 2022
- June 2, 2023
- December 16, 2022
- December 21, 2022
For whatever reasons – the COVID-19 pandemic, not to clash with Avatar: Way of Water opening, taking the Aquaman sequel spot, or the merging of Warner Media with Discovery, Inc. to form Warner Bros. Discovery – you’ll surely have a taste of Shazam! Fury of the Gods!