Shazam! Fury of the Gods has officially hit the theaters. While the landscape of DC Universe is on the verge of change, it doesn’t stop the latest Shazam movie from poking some comic book fun. Prior to the release, director David F. Sandberg explained that Batman and Superman cameos were scrapped from the blockbuster.
While the original plan to include two titular superheros was abandoned, it didn’t stop Shazam! 2 from scaling some serious DC Easter eggs, especially the ones that connect the film to the greater DCU. In that regard, Fury of the Gods is full of DC Comics references throughout the film. Below are the ones that matter the most.
Shazam! 2 References Captain Marvel and 1970s’ Billy Batson
Captain Marvel was created by C. C. Beck and Bill Parker in 1939 and first appeared in Whiz Comics #2 by Fawcett Comics. However, due to a copyright infringement lawsuit from National Comics (later to be known as DC Comics), Captain Marvel’s series were discontinued. After Captain Marvel became a DC Comics property, the company tried to bring the character to the big screen. However, because the name “Captain Marvel” is trademarked by Marvel Comics, they rebranded the franchise by using the “Shazam” name. Since 2011, Captain Marvel has officially been referred to Shazam.
In Fury of the Gods, Billy Batson debates over what name he should call himself. It isn’t until the end when a guy throws the name “Captain Marvel” in the mix. “Captain Marvel” is obviously referring to the character’s original name in comics. The person, who shouts out “Captain Marvel” is actor Michael Gray, who played Billy Batson on the Shazam! television series, which ran from 1974 to 1976 on CBS.
Shazam! 2 Confirms Wonder Woman’s Cameo Appearance
Prior to Shazam! 2′s premiere, the surprise of Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman cameo was spoiled during a televised promo. The theatrical release of the film toys with her appearance, almost showing her face in Billy’s dream, where he and Wonder Woman go on a date before it is ruined by the dead old wizard from the original film. Gadot’s Wonder Woman doesn’t appear until much later in the film to help restore the magic that runs through the Magic Staff.
Fury of the Gods marks the actor’s first appearance since the release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League in 2021. Following the change in leadership at DC Studios, Gadot’s Wonder Woman is among the few Justice League heroes who are seemingly still part of the DCU. Although the actor reprises her role in Fury of the Gods, her future as Wonder Woman still remains uncertain. At the time, the only confirmed news is that Wonder Woman will be in Gunn’s new universe. The Wonder Woman prequel series Paradise Lost revolves around the titular heroine’s home, and is set to be included in DCU’s first chapter, Gods and Monsters.
Shazam! 2 Makes a Clever Homage to Black Adam’s Suit
During the film’s climax battle, Billy fights Kalypso and the dragon, and his red suit is burned and damaged, and almost turned completely black. The costume design recalls Shazam’s predecessor, Black Adam, who made his DCEU debut in 2022. Stemmed from similar roots, with similar powers and the usage of “Shazam!” to transform from human to superhuman, Black Adam and Shazam share a deeper connection.
Shazam! 2 Namedrops the Justice Society of America
The Shazam! 2 mid-credits scene sees A.R.G.U.S. Agents Emilia Harcourt and John Economos’ surprising returns. Both characters appeared in James Gunn’s DCEU projects, The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker. The Justice Society was introduced on screen in Black Adam as a superhero team under the guidelines of Amanda Waller and the US government and work as a mediator between the anti-hero and the government. The mid-credits scene in Shazam! 2 sees the two agents coming to recruit Billy Batson to team, but Billy dismissed their invitation.
Shazam! 2 Brings Back Mark Strong’s Dr. Sivana and Mister Mind
Mark Strong’s Dr. Thaddeus Sivana — the antagonist of the first film and a major Shazam villain in the comics — briefly appears in Fury of the Gods through flashbacks. Though he’s not really in the film, the post-credits scene sees him being approached by alien caterpillar Mister Mind, who is plotting its next evil plan. If Shazam! 3 is to happen, the two will likely be the main villains.
Shazam! 2 Brings Back Nero’s Fiddle
The Rock of Eternity is full of magical items. The burning fiddle from the first film returns in Fury of the Gods. Billy Batson even uses it as a distraction when trying to steal the apple from the Daughters of Atlas. The burning fiddle is believed to be one from the initial run of the comic book series before the DC lawsuit. Its origin goes back to Captain Marvel Adventures Volume 1, #64.
Captain Marvel fought Oggar and their henchman Nero, who had a fiddle that caused buildings to burn around him. There’s no answer to how the burning fiddle ended up in the DCU’s Rock of Eternity, but one thing it suggests is that an alternate version of Shazam’s fight with Oggar happened way ahead of Billy Batson’s time.
Shazam! 2 Confirms the Existence of Fairyland
Behind one of the doors in the Rock of Eternity is Fairyland, aka Grimmworld, a magical dimension where fairies, ogres and other supernatural creatures reside. It first appeared in National Comics #7 in 1941 and is said to have different physical laws from most other worlds.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods is currently in theaters.
