Shazam! Fury of the Gods, the highly anticipated sequel to 2018’s Shazam!, has disappointed at the box office, making it the lowest-earning film in the history of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). Despite the success of its predecessor, Shazam 2 failed to capture the attention of moviegoers.

Changing Landscape In The DC Universe:

In 2022, the DC movie landscape underwent significant changes under Warner Bros. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s Black Adam film was released, featuring a post-credits scene that left audiences confused and disconnected. Furthermore, a lack of direction within the cinematic universe and mixed reception for Black Adam likely contributed to the overall lack of interest in Shazam 2.

Shazam 2’s Box Office Performance:

Shazam! Fury of the Gods struggled at the box office, earning only $133.4 million worldwide. This marked a significant drop compared to its predecessor, which earned $363 million worldwide. To make matters worse, Shazam 2 was outperformed by two films, Wonder Woman 1984 and The Suicide Squad, which were released simultaneously on HBO Max during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reasons For Shazam 2’s Box Office Failure:

One significant change in audience expectations for comic book movies is the desire for interconnectedness and continuity with other films and characters. Unfortunately, Shazam 2 was a standalone sequel with loose connections to the DCEU. The only notable connection was a headless Superman cameo in the post-credits scene of the first film. This lack of continuity goes against the successful formula that Marvel Studios has established over the years.

Another questionable decision was the release of Black Adam, Shazam’s main antagonist, just months before Shazam! Fury of the Gods. Despite the characters’ strong ties in the comics, the two films had no significant connection, leaving audiences puzzled. Such a disconnect between related films is not a strategy that would be recommended in a cinematic universe manual.

Furthermore, Shazam 2 received mixed reviews and failed to offer a compelling storyline that had a meaningful impact on the past, present, or future of the DC universe. Additionally, the character of Shazam himself did not leave a lasting impression on viewers.

Future Prospects for the DC Universe: Despite the disappointing performance of Shazam 2, there is still hope for the rest of the DC slate in 2023. The Flash has received positive reviews and reactions, while Blue Beetle is considered a sleeper hit with low-risk potential. Furthermore, Jason Momoa’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is expected to bring the necessary gravitas to become a commercial success.

In the end, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav is unlikely to be greatly concerned about the failure of Shazam! Fury of the Gods, as the studio has placed its bets on James Gunn’s upcoming Superman: Legacy and other future projects beyond 2023.