DC Fans Express Disappointment with Zachary Levi Following Remarks from Sean Gunn
Shazam star Zachary Levi receives backlash from DC fans over his remarks about Sean Gunn's close ties to the DC CEO
Zachary Levi, the star of Shazam, faced criticism from DC fans for his comments about Sean Gunn's family ties to the chief of DC Studios. The entire DCEU has been going through significant changes following the appointment of James Gunn and Peter Safran as co-CEOs.
DC is rebooting its universe, including new actors taking on iconic roles in upcoming films such as Superman: Legacy. However, Zachary Levi, a former DCEU actor, is unsure of his role in the new universe and faced backlash from DC fans for his comments about Sean Gunn's ties to the franchise.
Zachary Levi criticized for comment on Sean Gunn’s DC connection
During a conversation with ComicBook.com, Levi mentioned that Shazam 2: Fury of the Gods, the sequel to 2019’s Shazam, did not perform as strongly at the box office as the studio had anticipated. However, he expressed his commitment to continue portraying the character in future installments.
When asked if he would be interested in taking on other characters in the DCEU, Zachary Levi joked about Sean Gunn's ability to choose roles, suggesting that being the brother of the DC head honcho gives you that privilege.
Levi's lighthearted remark was met with criticism from some DC fans, who assumed it stemmed from the uncertainty surrounding the fate of his Shazam trilogy.
— Mikedude (@Mikedude0) December 11, 2023
Is it me or is he like, the least professional and most immature man working in Hollywood today https://t.co/qUgO6DWSgB
"When you're the brother of the person in charge of Imagine Entertainment, I suppose you have the freedom to play any role you desire." https://t.co/QnSTGM9FZS pic.twitter.com/FcZVGFvSH6
— PRETTY MUCH IT (@PrettyMuchIt) December 11, 2023
However, it seems like there’s no bad blood between Levi and the DC CEO as he went to explain how he has a personal relationship with the pair.
"I've known Peter for years now as he's been my producer on Shazam! And I've known James Gunn for even longer. We have mutual friends and have had game nights together in LA. I even attended one of his Christmas parties and almost landed the role of Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy."
Despite the uncertainty of a third installment of Shazam, Levi expressed his deep love for bringing the character to life.
"I take a lot of pride in both films. In many ways, I believe the second film surpassed the first," Levi reminisced. "Although the first film was exceptional. I am genuinely proud of both." For additional DC content, click here and explore our other superhero hubs below:
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Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I find the situation surrounding Zachary Levi's remarks about Sean Gunn's family ties to the DC CEO quite intriguing. While I understand that Levi's comments were likely intended to be lighthearted and humorous, it's important to recognize that they could be perceived as insensitive and unprofessional. In an industry where nepotism and favoritism are often scrutinized, Levi's remarks may have struck a nerve with fans who feel that opportunities should be based on merit rather than personal connections.
On the other hand, I also believe that Levi's comments should not be taken too seriously. It's clear that he has a good relationship with both Peter Safran and James Gunn, and his intention was likely to poke fun at the situation in a self-deprecating manner. Ultimately, I think it's important to focus on the positive aspects of Levi's career and his contributions to the DC universe, rather than dwelling on a single controversial statement.
