Zachary Levi, the star of “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” recently opened up about his surprise and confusion regarding the film’s negative reviews, which followed its underwhelming performance at the box office. During a recent appearance on The FilmUp Podcast, Levi expressed his thoughts on the criticism the DC superhero sequel received and the future of the franchise.
The actor admitted that he is still taken aback by the critics’ response to the film directed by David F. Sandberg, stating, “I don’t know what the future holds for it all because, unfortunately, the second movie was not as well received.” Levi pointed out that while the audience score for the movie remains quite good, the critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes was notably low, sitting at 49 percent. In contrast, the audience score stands at a much higher 86 percent. Additionally, the film had a lackluster box office opening in March, earning only $30.5 million domestically, making it one of the worst performances for a major Hollywood superhero film.\
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Sandberg, the director, had also addressed the criticism on social media, expressing surprise at the film’s low critics’ score. He stated, “I think it’s a good film. Oh well.” Levi echoed similar sentiments during the podcast interview, expressing satisfaction with how his character and the film turned out. He believed that they had crafted a movie that was either just as good or even better than the first installment.
Despite Levi’s contentment with the film, he acknowledged that social media and online hate played a role in its reception. He noted that the world and social media landscape had shifted significantly since the release of the first “Shazam!” movie. Online hate, trolls, and toxic behavior had become more pervasive and galvanized, leading to negative reactions towards certain projects and individuals involved in them.
As for the future of the franchise, Levi admitted that he does not have concrete answers and is unsure about the direction it will take. He hoped that with time, history would be kinder to “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” and audiences would appreciate the film more when revisiting it through home streaming or on airplanes. Levi believed that the movie would eventually gain recognition and appreciation, despite the initial criticisms it faced.
Zachary Levi candidly discussed his feelings about the critical reception of “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” and its impact on the franchise‘s future. While he expressed pride in the film’s quality, he acknowledged the influence of social media and online hate on its reception. As time passes, he remains hopeful that the movie will find a more favorable place in the hearts of viewers, gaining the recognition it deserves.