The directors of Shazam! 2 and Aquaman 2 released new looks at their respective movies after it was announced that the release dates of both superhero titles had been pushed back. Shazam! Fury of the Gods was originally scheduled for release on December 21, 2022, but was pushed back to March 17, 2023. It was originally slated to take the place of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom in the release calendar, so the film was pushed back to December 25.
In an Instagram post, Shazam! 2 director David F. Sandberg wrote: “Doing the final mix on Shazam Fury of the Gods. The new release date is March 17th next year. Avatar 2 might be in December, we can have IMAX screens. We will it’s great. But Cameron definitely owes me a 4K release of The Abyss now.”
He also shared a behind-the-scenes video of the DC Films film, which didn’t appear in the first Shazam! film. Sandberg’s post suggests that Shazam! 2 was delayed, so it shouldn’t compete with the James Cameron-directed Avatar 2, which comes out on December 16.
Meanwhile, Aquaman 2 director James Wan also took to Instagram, writing: “Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom is moving to Christmas 2023. I’m a bit of a snob and I love that it’s coming out in December like the first one!”
He shared several pieces of concept art for the film, adding: “Here’s a little glimpse of some artwork in the big, epic world building we’re creating, and I need time to get it right. These images barely scratch the surface of it of the film (I have yet to show the weird and wonderful characters and creatures of this world). I can’t wait to show, but you have to wait a little longer.”
This is the latest upset for the DCEU at Warner Bros., after the upcoming Batgirl movie was shelved despite being finished. Warner Bros. recently merged with Discovery, and the two studios joining forces means a shakeup behind the scenes.
However, despite Sandberg citing Avatar 2’s monopoly on IMAX screens as a reason for Shazam! 2’s delay and Wan saying that Aquaman 2 isn’t finished yet, could there be a financial reason as well?
“The moves underscore Warner Bros. Discovery’s financial mess as the studio only has enough cash to release 2 movies between now and the end of this year (Don’t Worry Darling and Black Adam)”. he tweeted (opens in new tab) The Hollywood Reporter’s Borys Kit previously issued a correction that the studio released a third film this year, House Party.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods will hit the big screen on March 17, 2023, with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom following on December 25, 2023. In the meantime, make sure you’re up to date with the DCEU with our guide to watching DC Movies with the line.
