Written By Kieran Bugg and Mikey Sutton • Editor-in-Chief • Owner
Shazam!: Fury of the Gods’ pathetic lack of marketing is worrying, especially for fans of the Zachary Levi franchise. Without a doubt, the Shazam! sequel hasn’t generated much buzz in fan circles. In fact, Levi acquired more attention for chastising the SnyderVerse than his own movie.
Therefore, he might want to ski with DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran again.
Before going all in on the inevitable reboot, DC Studios still has several major DCEU projects scheduled for release. The first of which being Shazam!: Fury Of The Gods, which is set to hit theaters on March 17.
David F. Sandberg once again helms Shazam’s latest adventure. Moreover, the whole cast from the first film will reprise their roles as the Shazam family for this new entry. Except for Michelle Borth as the adult Mary Bromfield. Grace Caroline Currey will now play both versions of the character.
Shazam! 2 Should Worry From Its Pathetic Lack Of Marketing
Image: Warner Bros. Discovery
In addition, Hollywood legends Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu will also star as the main villains Hespera and Kalypso.
Warner Bros. recently released a new trailer for Shazam!: Fury Of The Gods. Moreover, it showcased more of the plot. Well, perhaps too much.
With the release of this new trailer, one has to wonder why there’s been so little marketing for the film. After all, the release date is fast approaching and it’s around this time a new movie’s marketing campaign would kick off.
So what’s the deal?
The most likely answer for this is that Warner Bros. Discovery might not have enough money to market the sequel. While this may sound bizarre it wouldn’t actually be the first time the studio found themselves in this situation.
Last year, WBD were in serious financial trouble. Alas, they still are. Following the Discovery merger, CEO David Zaslav inherited a debt estimated to be in the billions.
Yikes.
Shazam! 2 Should Worry From Its Pathetic Lack Of Marketing
Image: Warner Bros. Discovery
Furthermore, this is what led to various controversial cost-cutting measures like the cancellation of the Batgirl solo film. Still, even this wasn’t enough though as there was still no money for WBD to market their films.
Nonetheless, according to The Hollywood Reporter, they did have enough to market two of their potential blockbusters for last year: Black Adam and Don’t Worry Darling.
Despite this decision, both movies ultimately failed to live up to the studio’s financial expectations.
It looks like history is repeating itself a year later.
Overall, critics praised the first Shazam! But now they’re counting on DC followers to push this to the finish line. If it does, Levi will survive DC Studios’ Order 66 unlike Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck. If it doesn’t, expect more snowboarding photos.