Shazam 2 director David F. Sandberg wanted Henry Cavill And Ben Affleck to have cameos in Shazam Fury of the Gods, but Warner Bros refused. Now that the movie has hurdled its first weekend with quite a disappointing performance of numbers at the box office, critics’ and audience reaction is mixed.
Rotten Tomatoes currently reflect 53% in the Tomatometer for the movie but with an 88% audience score from more than 1000 verified ratings. While the critics may have expected so much from the film, the general audience from around the globe has been enjoying their experience watching it.
It isn’t a unique situation where the critics and the audience disagree in the reception of the movie. However, mixed impressions more than often translate to low ticket sales. And maybe Shazam 2 is the same on that front. It may be a good watch, but because there are people who have less faith in it being a good watch due to poor critics’ reactions, those who would have wanted to see it are thinking twice now.
It could even be possible that DC Studios expected this. In fact, they even targeted the box office returns to chalk in just a fraction of the actual performance of the first movie. CoViD regulations and global restrictions aside, ticket sales still matter. Plus, the existence of films that outperformed at the box office despite the fact that the global pandemic signifies that blockbuster hits are still possible.
As part of an enormous franchise, Shazam 2 could have actually utilized its “connections” to other DC properties and fortified its position for the studio. However, due to the transitions and the business side of the filmmaking industry, in my opinion, it left Shazam 2 in limbo, not knowing whether they were connected or pushing forward in the first place.
Shazam 2 Director Would Have Welcomed Henry Cavill And Ben Affleck To Cameo
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In an interview with ComicBook.com, Shazam 2 director David F Sandberg said he would have liked for Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck to appear in the movie for their cameos. Indeed, it would have cemented Shazam’s existence in the DCU. However, these didn’t happen. The filmmaker shared (SPOILER WARNING!):
…I did early on think like we should have a scene, at least on a news report or something, where you can see from far away something like Superman trying to get in or Batman standing outside, pounding the dome or something.
The director could have seamlessly brought the Justice League into the movie, explaining how the global catastrophe is left for the Shazamily to face by themselves. But the studio did not give the idea a go signal saying it could have opened underlying issues. He proceeded to say:
That was dropped pretty quickly, because that also opens up a whole nother can of worms because then you really start thinking about it. Well, yeah, clearly they are here, so what’s going on?
For whatever reason, the cameos were not allowed, but they would still have been a good thing to see for the theatrical release. Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman is already in the movie, as the television spot has confirmed recently. It does establish that the Shazam heroes are within the world where the Justice League exists. It would have made sense.
Even in the first official trailer, Billy Batson in his Shazam form mentioned the existence of the Justice League heroes. Thus, it would have made sense to see the DC Trinity in the movie, even for just a bit.
Shazam 2 Director David Sandberg Didn’t Get Henry Cavill And Ben Affleck Cameos
Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
READ MORE: Shazam 2 Box Office: On Target Or Under-Performing?
Actually, in my opinion, it is very strange to find out that the movie didn’t show Superman and Batman making an effort to enter the dome and help. They exist in that world, and at that moment, the planet was in danger. They should have done everything they could to help Shazam, right?
But since DC Studios is currently steering a course to a different slate than DCEU, that would be a huge factor in the inclusion of Batman and Superman cameos. Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck are very much identified with DCEU. Officially, James Gunn has stated that they will be recasting Superman and Batman for the DCU.
Because of this, the continuity will be questioned. However, even though they did not do it, questions still emerge online. It was truly a missed opportunity for them all.
What do you think about Warner Bros refusing Shazam 2 director David Sandberg the cameo appearances of Henry Cavill as Superman and Ben Affleck as Batman? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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