Shazam! Fury of the Gods Early Reactions: A Worthwhile DC Movie Sequel

Before hitting theaters next week, the Shazam! Fury of the Gods early reactions offer insight into what's to be expected. The DCEU is about to have its biggest year as Warner Bros. Discovery has not one, but four films set to release in 2023. The first is Shazam! Fury of the Gods, which was initially slated for December 2022. After the successful first installment in 2019, the Shazam Family are finally returning to the big-screen for their latest adventure. Shazam! Fury of the Gods is already being positioned to outdo the first film both in scale and execution.

#ShazamFuryOfTheGods is a MAGICAL and HILARIOUS family adventure. @PonySmasher SUPERCHARGES everything that made the first film special with the heart of the story always the SHAZAMILY. @RachelZegler and Jack Dylan Grazer steal every scene. #ShazamMovie @WBPictures @WarnerBrosCA pic.twitter.com/k3TCzu0BzS
— Daniel Baptista - The Movie Podcast (@dbapz) March 7, 2023

#ShazamFuryOfTheGods // #ShazamMovie is a super-powered sequel that packs a punch. A super solid, super fun & super smart blend of hilarity, heart & heroics. Ramps up the action & irreverence to a delightful degree. Helen Mirren, Lucy Liu & Rachel Zegler are MVPs. ❤️ the dragon! pic.twitter.com/C4eP4ukAk1
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) March 7, 2023

#ShazamFuryOfTheGods is what I wanted the movie to be. The film does a good job of balancing this large cast and it’s just a fun superhero movie with a lot of heart. I’d love to see these characters and actors carry on in the #DCU and I think it can fit it. Go see it for yourself pic.twitter.com/MkhTz3GqjO
— Joseph Deckelmeier (@Joelluminerdi) March 7, 2023

What Shazam 2's Early Reactions Mean For Its DC Universe Future

Over the last few months, especially after the initial slate of DC Studios projects, Shazam's future in the DC Universe has been a bit of a mystery. Even though The Flash will serve as a reset for the DC Universe, not everything is necessarily getting excluded. Gunn has made it clear that various actors could still come back after the reset. With Shazam! Fury of the Gods, the fate of its place in the DC Universe may take a positive turn based on its reception.

Early reactions for Shazam! Fury of the Gods has been positive overall, though that's ahead of general reviews. If it's a commercial success, that will likely give DC Studios more reason to consider continuing the Shazam franchise as part of the DC Universe. At the very least, they may greenlight Shazam 3 to allow Levi and the cast a chance to finish the trilogy. But that doesn't necessarily rule out the idea of them continuing to appear in the DC Universe after a potential sequel.

Time will tell where DC Studios goes with the Shazam characters, but it all depends on the movie's reception. If it were to struggle financially and critically with mainstream audiences, that would likely prevent Shazam 3 from happening. For now, those looking to see Shazam! Fury of the Gods for themselves can catch it in theaters.