Helen Mirren has joined New Line Cinema’s sequel adaptation of the DC comic Shazam! Mirren will star in the upcoming film Shazam! Fury of the Gods as Hespera, the villainous daughter of the god Atlas, Variety reports.
Most of the cast from 2019’s Shazam! is returning for the sequel, including Asher Angel, who plays teenager Billy Batson, and Zachary Levi, who plays the adult version of Billy whenever he has the power of Shazam, turning into a superhero.
Rachel Zegler, the star of Steven Spielberg’s upcoming West Side Story, is also expected to join casting for the sequel. Per Variety, Mirren and Zegler will play sisters who both “may or may not be of ill intent.”
Mirren’s role is somewhat mysterious, as Hespera does not have a clear equivalent from the DC comics, the outlet reports. But she undoubtedly has some feelings about Shazam’s powers, in relation to her father, Atlas — as well as “the strength of Hercules, the power of Zeus, the wisdom of Solomon, the courage of Achilles and the speed of Mercury.”
Mirren’s upcoming projects include the upcoming Fast & The Furious franchise, F9: The Fast Saga, reprising her role as Magdalene “Queenie” Shaw.
In addition to Shazam! Fury of the Gods, New Line Cinema is developing Black Adam, starring Dwayne Johnson as the classic Shazam! antagonist, per The Hollywood Reporter.
The first Shazam! opened in April 2019 original earned $366 million globally. Shazam! Fury of the Gods is set to debut in June 2023.
