Rachel Zegler spoke candidly about her reason for joining the DC universe in “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” saying, “I needed a job.” The actress explained that booking a gig was tough during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and she was excited to land the role.
Her excitement about the role continued through production as she told co-star Helen Mirren that playing her character “was so much fun.” The action-packed superhero movie premiered on Friday, March 17.
Keep on reading to learn more.
Rachel Zegler Says She Was Excited To Book A Role in ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’
Zegler recently opened up about her job-searching experience during the pandemic and how she was fortunate to land a role in the DC Universe.
Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter at the “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” premiere on Tuesday, Zegler, who portrayed the character Anthea, one of the daughters of the Titan Atlas in the superhero flick, revealed that she took on the role of Anthea because she needed a job. “I needed a job. I’m being so serious,” she said while laughing.
Rachel Zegler goes viral for honest answer about why she did ‘Shazam 2’:
“I…needed a job. I am being so serious.” pic.twitter.com/SaWxKTniiG
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) March 16, 2023
The “West Side Story” actress said, “The reality was we were in the middle of the pandemic, and I was not working. I couldn’t get a job for the life of me because West Side Story hadn’t come out yet. It was really hard to book work for me, so I was really excited when this came in my inbox.”
Rachel Zegler Says Her Character as Anthea Is ‘Wonderfully Complex’
The 21-year-old actress shared her excitement from when she first learned about the role and her experience making the film. She recalled, per People, “I loved the first movie, and the fact that they even wanted me to come in for a callback and then a camera read and then everything in between; I’m so lucky that I got this job. I made some of my best friends on this job. I just absolutely adore this movie, too, so I’m excited.”
In July, Zegler gushed about her character to co-star Helen Mirren stating that her character (Anthea) “was so much fun” to play. According to Zegler, her character is “wonderfully complex,” She thoroughly enjoyed working with Helen and Lucy.
During a video interview at Comic-Con, Zegler expressed her desire to reunite with her co-stars, saying, “Miss you, ladies! We have to get the goddesses back together for a catch-up soon!”
The Stars Of ‘Shazam! Fury Of The Gods’
The highly anticipated sequel was released on Friday, March 17, a long four-year wait after the first movie hit theaters in April 2019. Zachary Levi reprised his role as the titular superhero, with Asher Angel returning as his teenage alter ego, Billy Batson.
The sequel features a mix of familiar faces and new cast members, including the talented Zegler. However, what sets the sequel apart from its predecessor is the addition of two formidable actresses to the cast – Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu.
Mirren plays Hespera, the daughter of Atlas, while Liu takes on the role of her demigod sister, Kalypso. These two brilliant actresses are the primary antagonists, making the sequel a must-see for DC (and even Marvel) superhero fans.
Why ‘Shazam! Fury Of The Gods’ Is A Must Watch
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Shazam! Fury of the Gods is a thrilling and action-packed sequel to the 2019 hit film Shazam! The film follows the story of a young Billy Batson, a young boy who transforms into an adult superhero when he utters the magic word “SHAZAM!” and is struck by the Living Lightning of the gods.
In this sequel, Zachary Levi reprises his role as the charming and childlike superhero, imbued with the powers of six gods, including the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Atlas, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles, and the speed of Mercury.
Despite his formidable abilities, Baston must juggle his responsibilities as a high school student with the responsibility of saving the world.
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The movie’s official synopsis from DC’s website reveals that the stakes are higher than before as Baston and his family must fight to keep their powers, lives, and world safe from a formidable enemy who threatens to destroy everything they hold dear.
With heart-pumping action, witty humor, and an epic storyline, Shazam! Fury of the Gods promises to be an unforgettable cinematic experience for fans of all ages.
