Actor Asher Angel, who portrayed the Billy Batson to Zachary Levi‘s Shazam in two DC Extended Universe movies, has addressed his future as the character in James Gunn’s DC Universe.
In an interview with ComicBookMovie.com, Angel shared that he would “always be open to going back and playing Billy Batson.” He also expressed interest in playing other DC characters but explained why he would turn down an offer to portray the title superhero, Shazam, in the DCU.
“I’d never want to take Zach’s place because we’re in this together,” the actor said. “If there [are] any other characters out there in the future, I’d also be open to that. I’m pretty open! There’s a time and there’s a place, and it’ll happen.”
Asher Angel reacts to Shazam! Fury of the Gods bombing in theaters
After debuting as teenager Billy Batson in 2019’s Shazam!, Angel returned to the role for the movie’s 2023 sequel, Shazam! Fury of the Gods. However, unlike the original film, Fury of the Gods was met with widespread criticism and under-performed at the box office.
Angel addressed the Shazam! sequel bombing at the box office during his interview with ComicBookMovie.com, noting that “the superhero genre is a really hard genre. I hate when people talk about superhero fatigue. I don’t believe in that stuff. I think whatever DC or Marvel puts out there, it’s gonna resonate, but if it resonates, it resonates. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t.”
He added that he was “just happy” to have “had the opportunity to be involved in that world. It was wish fulfillment because I always wanted to be a superhero when I was a kid.”
James Gunn hasn’t announced plans for Shazam yet
At the time of writing, DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran have announced no plans for Billy Batson/Shazam in the DCU. While it is possible that both Angel and Levi could return as the superhero, Gunn and Safran have shown to be quite selective when it comes to which DCEU stars will be coming back for the new shared universe.
After being unveiled in January 2023, the DCU will officially begin later this year with the adult animated series, Creature Commandos, followed by the live-action movie, Superman, starring David Corenswet. Other DCU projects coming down the pipeline include Peacemaker Season 2, Waller, Lanterns, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, and The Brave and the Bold.
Shazam! and Shazam! Fury of the Gods are currently streaming on Max.
