Shazam! Fury of the Gods, the sequel to the 2019 hit superhero movie Shazam!, has disappointed at the box office, raising questions about its promotion and reception. While it’s not uncommon for studios to release movies they don’t have much faith in and let them flop, Shazam! Fury of the Gods seems to deserve better treatment, as it received positive reviews from audiences and critics alike. Therefore, it’s plausible that Warner Bros. Discovery allowed the movie to fail intentionally or unintentionally, perhaps because it didn’t fit with the studio’s future plans for the DC movie universe.
The James Gunn Factor: A New DC Movie Universe Takes Shape
One reason why Shazam! Fury of the Gods might have been neglected by Warner Bros. Discovery is the impending reboot of the DC movie universe by James Gunn, who directed and wrote the upcoming movie The Suicide Squad. Gunn’s “Gods and Monsters” slate of films, which includes The Suicide Squad and sequels or spin-offs for The Flash, Blue Beetle, and Aquaman, is expected to redefine the DC cinematic landscape and possibly introduce new characters while sidelining or recasting others. Therefore, any movie that was greenlit and produced before Gunn’s arrival as a major creative force could be seen as less important or relevant.
Although Gunn acknowledged Shazam! Fury of the Gods as part of the DC universe, he also said that the character of Shazam (played by Zachary Levi) was “off kind of in his own part of the DCU,” suggesting a lack of interest or involvement. In contrast, Gunn praised The Flash as a “fantastic movie” and Blue Beetle as a “fantastic film,” indicating a stronger attachment. Gunn’s social media posts about each movie reflect his varying levels of enthusiasm, with his promotion of Shazam! Fury of the Gods appearing “lukewarm” and overshadowed by other projects.
Marketing Missteps: Lack Of Confidence And Spoilers
Another possible reason for Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ underperformance is its marketing campaign, which was criticized for being too generic and superficial. Although the sequel directly continued the story from the first movie, it didn’t emphasize this connection or expand on the Shazam universe in significant ways. Furthermore, the movie’s ties to other DC movies or characters were not clearly established or exploited, which might have alienated casual viewers or DC fans.
When the marketing did try to be bold or attention-grabbing, it backfired by spoiling Wonder Woman’s surprise cameo in the third act. This move not only angered fans who wanted to be surprised, but also revealed a lack of confidence in the movie’s own merits. If the studio felt the need to rely on a cameo from another DC hero to boost interest, it suggested that they didn’t trust the characters or story of Shazam! Fury of the Gods to stand on their own.
Conclusion: Lessons For Future DC Movies
While it’s difficult to determine the exact reasons why Shazam! Fury of the Gods failed to attract a larger audience, it’s clear that the movie suffered from a lack of confidence and promotion. Warner Bros. Discovery might have felt that the movie was expendable or not worth investing in, given the upcoming changes to the DC movie universe. However, the positive reception from viewers suggests that Shazam! Fury of the Gods had potential and deserved better treatment. As Warner Bros. Discovery and James Gunn continue to shape the DC movie universe, they should learn from the missteps of Shazam! Fury of the Gods and give their future projects more enthusiastic and coherent marketing strategies.
