Shazam 2 Director Offers Update on DCEU Movie's VFX Progress

Shazam 2 Director Offers Update on DCEU Movie's VFX Progress

Shazam! Fury of the Gods director David F. Sandberg gives an update on the VFX progress on the movie, which is being called bigger than the original.

Shazam! Fury of the Gods director David F. Sandberg has given an update on the film's VFX progress. Sandberg is returning to direct the film following 2019's Shazam!, which introduced the titular hero to the DCEU. The first film followed the origin of how foster child Billy Batson (Asher Angel) acquired his powers, which allow him to transform into the older, more powerful alter ego of Shazam (Zachary Levi) by saying the name out loud. Although plot details for the sequel are still under wraps, it's been hinted that goddesses played by Lucy Liu, Helen Mirren, and Rachel Zegler will be shaking up the lives of the Shazam! characters established from the previous film.

Before Shazam, Sandberg was best known for his work in the horror genre. He'd found success directing Lights Out, which was expanded into a feature from a short film he'd made, as well as making his way into the Conjuring cinematic universe with Annabelle: Creation. Sandberg has made a number of independent shorts during his career, which he frequently posted on his YouTube channel. He would also upload filmmaking tips and most notably demonstrated his personal knowledge in VFX, often showing how he achieved the effects in his shorts. He would frequently collaborate with actress Lotta Losten, who is also married to Sandberg, on his projects. Losten had a cameo in Shazam! and appears to be returning for the sequel according to an Instagram post she'd made, although it's not clear in what capacity.

Sandberg shared an update on Shazam! Fury of the Gods in an Instagram post. In the photo, Sandberg is apparently looking at VFX shots from the film on the big screen. In the caption, he shared his excitement about how this will be his first movie shot in 4K. After making lower-budget films, getting to see one of his projects in 4K must be a gratifying step for the director. Check out his Instagram post here:

Click here to see the post on Instagram

Shazam! heavily relied on VFX not only because of the nature of the hero's powers, which are similar to Superman's, but also because of the creature design required for the villains. The personifications of the seven deadly sins gave the film a chance to have some great effects on display, as well as ambitious fight sequences. However, producer Peter Safran suggests Shazam 2's action sequences will be even bigger than before. If that's the case, the VFX team definitely has their work cut out for them. The action and effects won't be the only thing evolving from its predecessor, either; Safran also said that now that the child stars are older in the sequel, the comedic tone of the original can be taken in an edgier direction.

The prospect of all the possibilities and improvements that Shazam! Fury of the Gods could offer in the early stages of the franchise is exciting. While there's still so much mystery surrounding the plot, speculation will likely only ramp up leading up to the upcoming Black Adam origin movie, which will introduce one of Shazam's main comic book foes. With the promises of bigger action scenes in 4K, it's possible that the sequel is finally building to the Shazam and Black Adam big screen appearances that fans have wanted for so long.