As the first DC movie to arrive since the official announcement of DC Studios, Shazam! Fury of the Gods is in a unique position as a project from a different era. Audience members probably know DC's cinematic landscape will change drastically in the coming years, though this new effort, made during a time when Henry Cavill was still considered Superman, makes a case for these heroes to be included in whatever is coming next for the franchise. Continuing the story of young hero Billy Batson (Asher Angel), Shazam! Fury of the Gods isn't quite a home run, saddled instead with sporadic character beats and a too-long climax. However, those willing to go along with Billy's patchy journey just might find themselves entertained by what this DC sequel has to offer.
Set several years after 2019's Shazam!, Billy and his foster siblings have settled into their powers and are making names for themselves as heroes — for better or worse. Billy (again played by Zachary Levi when at his full powers) has stepped into the role of team leader, though not everyone is as eager to stick together. Most prominently, Billy's brother Freddy Freeman (Jack Dylan Grazer) has taken to the superhero life with gusto, though he prefers to strike out on his own and really build up his cred. Unfortunately, the Shazam family's lighthearted antics take a turn when they cross paths with the Daughters of Atlas, Hespera (Helen Mirren) and Kalypso (Lucy Liu), two goddesses who have only recently broken out of their prisons and are looking for revenge.
