Shazam! has been warmly received by critics and is set for a solid showing at the box office this weekend, all of which should make it a shoe-in to get a sequel. The movie’s first post-credits scene proves that there are already plans afoot for what the follow-up film starring Zachary Levi’s aged-up hero will contain, and a source close to We Got This Covered has now confirmed one cast member that we can expect to see back in action.
That’s right, Mark Strong will return for Shazam! 2 as the villainous Dr. Sivana. This makes a lot of sense, as the aforementioned additional post-credits scene teased that he’ll find an unlikely new ally to help him in his quest to gain the power of Shazam and we’ve been informed that this will be picked up on and explored in the touted sequel.
Many moviegoers were probably left scratching their heads when a talking worm spoke to Sivana in his jail cell at the end of Shazam!, though DC fans no doubt chuckled to themselves at this obscure comic book villain making it to the big screen. As you may or may not know, this is Mr. Mind, another key enemy of Billy Batson’s on the page. We previously reported that the character would appear in Shazam! 2 and the post-credits scene tells us we’re on the right track.
Our source also says that Sivana’s will be looking to open the mythical seven realms in the sequel and release the monsters from within them, just as the hyper-intelligent insect discusses in the post-credits. Mr. Mind will take up residence inside Sivana’s ear in Shazam! 2 as well, acting as his guide as he goes about his new mission.
In truth, this sounds very similar to Sivana’s arc in the first film – another evil presence manipulates him by invading a part of his head (first his eye, then his ear) so that he can control some monsters. But hey, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Plus, the draw of Shazam is the character stuff and the humor, so keeping things relatively simple – but pleasingly bizarre – on the villain front makes sense.
Of course, Shazam! 2 hasn’t been officially confirmed just yet, but these plans suggest it’s pretty much an inevitability. Given that, tell us, are you excited for more of Sivana in a sequel? Sound off in the usual place down below.