Zachary Levi Says It Would Be ‘a Dream’ to ‘Punch The Rock in the Face’
Zachary Levi is at Dragon Con 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. The convention spans September 2-6, and Levi is saying interesting things about a possible matchup. Among them is that he would “love to punch The Rock in the face.” Here’s what the Shazam! star meant.
A second ‘Shazam!’ movie is in the works
Levi was at the convention after just completing production on Shazam 2, otherwise known as Shazam! Fury of the Gods. According to The Direct, David F. Sandberg of the first film directed, and fans are looking forward to appearances from new cast members Helen Mirren, Grace Fulton, Rachel Zegler, and Lucy Liu. It is scheduled to premiere in June 2023.
Meanwhile, Black Adam starring Dwayne The Rock Johnson, is set for a wide release in July 2022. The two seem to be an apparent (if eventual) showdown, and Levi was asked about just that at Dragon Con.
“I would love to punch The Rock in the face… it would be a dream,” the actor quipped.
“Like honestly… all those things are way above my pay grade. I have no idea how all of these things are going to ultimately carve up,” Levi continued. “I know that he’s a very busy man, and very successful. Again, very busy doing other movies. So, I don’t know if and when there is ever going to be that. I hope so!”
‘Black Adam’ was helmed by ‘Jungle Cruise’ director Jaume Collet-Serra
Jungle Cruise director Jaume Collet-Serra, who propelled that movie to $100 million and has already secured a sequel, also directed Dwayne Johnson in Black Adam. Johnson tweeted in July 2021 that the movie had already finished filming.
Black Adam is given his powers by wizard Shazam (Djimon Hounsou) in the original Shazam! — hence the link that could make Levi’s Rock-punching fantasies eventually come true.
When the movie finished principal photography, Johnson posted that it was “worth every second.”
“Incredible journey,” Johnson tweeted about finishing shooting on Black Adam. “Hardest undertaking of my entire career physically & mentally. Worth every second. Boundless gratitude to my 1,000+ crew members, actors and director, Jaume Collet-Serra.”
He completed the statement with a tantalizing tidbit: “The hierarchy of power in DC Universe is changing,” he wrote.
Levi referred to Shazam as his old name, Captain Marvel
Levi threw out an intriguing comment during his panel appearance, referring to his character as his old name, Captain Marvel.
“Given the comic and the canon and all that stuff, I think it would be a bummer if Captain Marvel and Black Adam didn’t have at least their one meeting, whatever that’s going to be,” he said. “You know, I’ll just show up and put on the suit.”
Captain Marvel was the original name for Shazam; Levi’s statement has fans wondering if the name won’t make a return in the follow-up.
For now, they’ll have to be satisfied with the amusing imagery of Dwayne Johnson getting punched in the face by Zachary Levi.
