Shazam 2 could be tainted with a similar PR nightmare as The Flash. The sequel’s main star Zachary Levi is under fire from DCU fans for criticizing Pfizer. The DC Film actor’s tweet against the pharmaceutical company has been construed by the masses as anti-vax views and since faces backlash at a time when James Gunn is in the midst of announcing his DC Bible alongside potentially revealing if the DCEU is on course for a full reboot.
It looks like Zachary Levi’s anti-Pfizer tweet has attracted more press for Shazam! Fury of the Gods than the latest trailer’s impact. Unfortunately, while the 2 min footage kept the attention on the Daughters of Atlas namely Hespera (Helen Mirren), Kalypso (Lucy Liu) and Rachel Zegler‘s Anthea – the post by Shazam 2 star in fact did the opposite with all eyes on the titular actor’s stance on the Pfizer instead of anticipation towards the second installment.
Zachary Levi has continued to be active on social media but has refrained from responding to the fan backlash as of this writing. The actor last tweeted a DOJ link related to Pfizer, presumably in an effort the stand firm to his views. But fans on the other hand are convinced this behavior could eventually result in the firing of Zachary Levi from the Shazam role as well as the nail in the coffin for DC Extended Universe.
DCU fans think Zachary Levi could lose Shazam role following the backlash
Levi’s support for James Gunn and Peter Safran with the formation of DC Studios was seen by many as a sign that Shazam would be part of the new interconnected universe with a few other characters like Wonder Woman. However, the recent Pfizer comment has raised questions regarding his future in DC Films.
Several critics also shared pity for Warner Bros. upcoming PR battle, especially after the studio is expected to face harsh questioning during Aquaman 2‘s release over Amber Heard‘s inclusion and The Flash due to Ezra Miller. Readers can check out reactions below.
Hardcore agree. š https://t.co/goeEf5UQ5s
— Zachary Levi (@ZacharyLevi) January 29, 2023
Just one example of what Iām referring toā¦šhttps://t.co/5xCpCSCDrl
— Zachary Levi (@ZacharyLevi) January 29, 2023
Thoughts and prayers to the WB PR who's had their hands full with Ezra Miller's crimes, Black Adam's alleged leaked financials and the Henry Cavill mess, who's now logging into twitter dot com to see Zachary Levi's antivaxxer tweet
— Gayle Sequeira (@ProjectSeestra) January 29, 2023
Zachary Levi meeting with James Gunn and Peter Safran tomorrow morning https://t.co/P2DIiJmvdE pic.twitter.com/nObxwKp54r
— Paul ā”āŖ!? (@paulthecesar) January 29, 2023
Y'all just haven't been paying attention to Zachary Levi. He's a hardcore Trump Christian who supports Jordan Peterson calling him a "deep thinker."
A transphobe who appeared on the 700 Club, a Trump Republican Christian network that has HATES minorities & gays for existing. https://t.co/p0300n2BAJ pic.twitter.com/uF9kHt0VOW
— Dana (Store Name) #AmplifyBlackVoices @ #Sundance (@sagesurge) January 29, 2023
All the shit ya gave Letitia better be given to Zachary Levi. Keep that sameeeee energy.
— Younis (@younityyy) January 29, 2023
James Gunn after Zachary Levi made it one step easier for him to reboot all of DC
— Jason Grobstich (@jasonleegrobby) January 29, 2023
Hey guys! Todayās my first day as head of Zachary Leviās PR! Iām so excited to see what new opportunities thisāll bring, gonna take a big sip of my coffee here and head on over to his Twitter page and see what heās up to
— Brandon Streussnig (@BrndnStrssng) January 29, 2023
Someone send her to Zachary Levi's house pic.twitter.com/WlYQSLxlZu
— Ren LaRoy (@RenGeekness) January 29, 2023
Adam Brody about to be unemployed again because Zachary Levi wouldnāt shut the fuck up š pic.twitter.com/LwiGJYzegs
— Trenton Ryder (@trendsryder) January 29, 2023
Zachary Levi will get fired as Shazam, double down on the anti vax shit and then will only be in Christian/Daily Wire movies. I'm calling it now.
— Aaron LaRoy (@AjMurray21) January 29, 2023
warner bros when zachary levi and ezra miller do something pic.twitter.com/YUcCQIjBZM
— female kendall roy (@saoirceronan) January 29, 2023
Ezra Miller: "I'm going to make it impossible to promote my new DC movie"
Zachary Levi: "Hold my beer"— Jesse Hawken (@jessehawken) January 29, 2023
James Gunn about to reset the whole DC universe reading this tweet https://t.co/Y5dN9yzM9A pic.twitter.com/E5s40tvOnK
— Tis The Season To Be Bobo š (@NickBorelli2) January 29, 2023
Zachary Leviās publicist logging on Twitter this morning:
pic.twitter.com/5AYWnnu0Gr— Captain Salazar (@ItsChrisSalazar) January 29, 2023
Within a few years Zachary Levi will be co-starring with Evangeline Lilly in a Ben Shapiro funded movie.
— Benjamin Siemon (@BenjaminJS) January 29, 2023
Zachary Levi is perfect casting for Shazam, because this is a grown ass man with a child brain. https://t.co/cKbUmolyzs
— Kirby (@comicskirby) January 29, 2023
To think the Rock didn't have to lift a finger to destroy SHAZAM. Zachary Levi did the all on his own
— Walt (@Uber_Kryptonian) January 29, 2023
"if you didn't know these were his views, you haven't been paying attention to zachary levi" correct
— caitie delaney (@caitiedelaney) January 29, 2023
Zachary Levi went to the Gina carano school of fumbling the bag before your movie or show comes out https://t.co/6hTiCRL0KJ pic.twitter.com/m93aVievLW
— PhillipāØ// TLoU Era (Missing Andor) (@thegreattwig25) January 29, 2023
It should be noted that Marvel Studios also had a similar bout due to Letitia Wright‘s views on Covid-19 vaccines during Black Panther 2 as well as Evangeline Lilly who is expected to be questioned regarding her covid vaccine mandate during the press junket for Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
Fortunately, MCU’s PR team managed to dodge controversy during Wakanda Forever’s premiere week. Though it remains to be seen if WB will manage to release its upcoming three DC Films without any more added controversy.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods is scheduled to release on March 17.
