Zachary Levi on Shazam’s DCU future, and Sean Gunn playing Maxwell Lord in the rebooted universe

Last Updated on December 29, 2023

While James Gunn and Peter Safran continue making plans for the DCU’s future, many franchise fans wonder if any of their favorite actors and characters will return in new films. Gunn did confirm a handful of actors like John Cena (Peacemaker) and Xolo Maridueña (Blue Beetle) remain essential parts of the universe, but what about the rest? Will Zachary Levi reprise his role as Shazam down the road? During an interview for Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, Chris Killian of Comicbook.com asked Levi about his DCU status, and Levi was happy to share his thoughts.

Speaking with Levi about Shazam’s future, the Chuck actor expressed gratitude for his role in the DCEU but confirmed there’s no plan for the child-like superhero to return. “It’s all well above my paygrade,” Levi said, regarding insider knowledge about the character’s fate. “I’m really proud of both films. I really think the second film was, in some respects, better than the first. And the first was really good. I’m really proud of both of them.”

Levi added, “If I only ever got the shot to do the first two films, I’m very grateful for the opportunity because it’s such a delightful character to play. I would love to be able to do more iterations of it. I would love to collaborate with Nathan Fillion’s Green Lantern.”

While addressing the idea of playing a different character in the DCU, Levi comments on Sean Gunn’s newly-announced appointment as Maxwell Lord in the DC Universe, saying, “When you’re the brother of the guy who runs DC, I guess you get to play whoever you want.”

Levi’s comment about Gunn stepping into the role of Maxwell Lord is already making the rounds, with people saying the casting results from nepotism. Others say the statement poorly reflects Gunn’s talent as an accomplished actor. What do you think about Sean Gunn playing Maxwell Lord in the DCU? Let us know in the comments below.

Meanwhile, Levi stars as Rocky in Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, which is hatching on Netflix on December 15. The highly-anticipated sequel finds Ginger (Thandiwe Newton), Rocky, and the rest of the gang breaking into the high-tech factory where a familiar villain plans to take the fast food industry by storm. Watch for our exclusive interviews with Dawn of the Nugget director Sam Fell and Zachary Levi later this week.