Actor Zachary Levi, who stars in the DC Comics superhero movie “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” has shared a social media post that accuses fellow actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson of sabotaging the film’s marketing efforts. The post, which Levi shared on his Instagram Story, cites an article from The Wrap that claims Johnson vetoed a post-credits scene featuring Levi’s character, Shazam, being recruited into the Justice Society of America. According to the article, Johnson wanted his character, Black Adam, to meet Superman, played by Henry Cavill, instead.
Levi’s caption for the repost was “The truth will set you free,” although representatives for both Johnson and Levi have not commented on the allegations. The movie’s performance has been disappointing, with negative reviews and a lackluster box office turnout since its release on March 17. It earned just $30.5 million in its opening weekend at the US box office, far below the first film’s domestic opening in 2019. The movie cost $110 million to make, and Warner Bros. spent another $100 million on marketing.
Levi and the film’s director, David F Sandberg, have expressed disappointment with the movie’s performance. Levi suggested that the marketing campaign was the biggest issue, saying, “This is a perfect family movie, and yet a lot of families aren’t aware of that. Which is just a shame.” Sandberg tweeted that he was “definitely done with superheroes for now” after six years of working on “Shazam!”.
Despite negative reviews, the film’s star, Rachel Zegler, defended the sequel against “senselessly mean” criticisms. In a two-star review for The Independent, Clarisse Loughrey described “Fury of the Gods” as “a film that isn’t without promise, but feels far too messy and corporatized to have any real affection for.” Zegler had a more candid response when asked why she took on a role in the DC superhero franchise, tweeting, “Money, baby! Hahaha, no. It was a dream come true, and I’ll always be so grateful for the opportunity.”
Despite the disappointing performance of “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” fans of the DC Comics franchise can look forward to upcoming releases, including “The Batman” starring Robert Pattinson, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” and “The Flash” starring Ezra Miller.
In the wake of the controversy, some fans have taken to social media to express their disappointment and frustration. Some have criticized Johnson for his alleged actions, while others have questioned whether the allegations are true. Some fans have also suggested that the movie’s poor performance may be due to factors beyond marketing, such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and competition from other films.
Regardless of the reasons for the movie’s disappointing performance, it serves as a reminder that even the most highly anticipated films can fail to meet expectations. As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, studios and filmmakers must adapt to changing audience tastes and find new ways to promote and distribute their work. Only time will tell whether “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” will find a second life on streaming or home video, or whether it will be remembered as a disappointing entry in the DC Comics franchise.
