The 2019 DC film Shazam! introduced Asher Angel as Billy Batson and Zachary Levi as his superhero alter ego, Shazam. The first film received a positive response from the audience, so people had high expectations for the sequel.
However, Shazam! Fury of the Gods received negative reviews from critics and suffered at the box office. One of the criticisms was that the sequel seemed to prioritize the superhero over Billy Batson’s story.
Fans Criticize Zachary Levi’s Performance
Furthermore, fans have criticized Zachary Levi’s performance in the sequel, stating that it was emotionally inconsistent with his co-star, Asher Angel. Fans pointed out that Levi’s portrayal of Shazam seemed more like a child than Angel’s portrayal of Billy Batson.
The problem with Zachary Levi's portrayal can be summed up with these two shots, he didn't care to keep the emotions and tone consistent.
Asher, you deserved better pal. pic.twitter.com/YQuCLDTra6— ak (@xzscnx) April 11, 2023
Fans also expressed support for Asher Angel and called out the director for not noticing the inconsistency in the performances. Many fans also felt that Angel deserved more screen time than he had in the sequel.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods has been criticized for sidelining Billy Batson’s story and Zachary Levi’s inconsistent performance. Fans have expressed disappointment with the sequel and their hope for improvement in future films.