B. Radtz
How does one step their game up? If it’s DC Films, they bring on Academy Award winning actress Helen Mirren on to star as the lead villain Hespera in their Shazam! sequel. Mirren joins Zachary Levi, and Asher Angel who return as Billy Batson and Shazam!, along with director David F. Sandberg, with a script by Henry Gayden.
Rachel Zegler, from West Side Story, is also expected to join the sequel, but her role has not been released at this time.
Mirren’s role of Hespera is currently very hush hush as there is not a comic equivalent to the character, but is drawn directly from the mythology as Atlas’s daughter. Atlas is one of the figures Shazam! derives his powers from (the wisdom of Solomon, strength of Hercules, stamina of Atlas, power of Zeus, courage of Achilles, and the speed of Mercury), so her interest in the young Billy Batson is very on the nose.
Mirren has several action films under her belt, like the comic inspired Red franchise, starring Mirren, Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, and other Hollywood heavyweights, as well as the Fast & the Furious franchise as well.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods is set to debut in June of 2023!
source: Variety
