Zachary Levi has always brought a big personality to the table, whether he’s rocking the red suit as Shazam or stirring up debates with his unfiltered opinions. The guy who made us love the kid-turned-superhero in Shazam! (2019) has been in the spotlight lately, not just for his acting chops but for some bold political takes and a surprising show of support for his Shazam! Fury of the Gods co-star Rachel Zegler. In a recent chat with Variety on May 22, 2025, Levi spilled the tea on what’s next for Shazam, the backlash he’s faced for supporting Donald Trump and questioning vaccines, and why he’s got Zegler’s back despite their differences. Let’s dive into what he had to say and what it means for his wild ride in Hollywood.
Is Shazam Done For?
Levi’s Shazam was a breath of fresh air in the DC Extended Universe, with the 2019 Shazam! movie nailing a fun, heartfelt vibe and raking in over $360 million on a tight budget. But the 2023 sequel, Shazam! Fury of the Gods didn’t quite hit the same mark—mixed reviews, a cluttered story, and just $134 million at the box office against a $125 million price tag. Now, with DC Studios getting a full makeover under James Gunn and Peter Safran, Levi’s not sure where Shazam fits. “I don’t know what’s next for the character,” he told Variety, sounding pretty realistic about the new DC Universe leaving his superhero behind.
Things got a bit messier when Levi took a swipe at Gunn back in 2023, joking about nepotism over Gunn casting his brother Sean in multiple DC roles. That probably didn’t win him any fans at DC’s new HQ. Instead of dwelling, though, Levi’s looking forward, pouring his energy into a new $100 million project called WyldWood Studios in Austin, Texas. He’s pitching it as a spot for “truth-telling” stories that push back against Hollywood’s usual playbook. Big move, but can he pull it off?
Taking Heat for Trump and Vaccines
Levi’s never been shy about his views, and boy, has that stirred up some drama. Last September, while hosting a Reclaim America Tour event in Michigan, he threw his support behind Donald Trump, calling him the guy to “make America great again.” He’d originally backed Robert F. Kennedy Jr., but when Kennedy jumped on the Trump train, Levi followed. He knew it was a risky move, even joking it could be “career suicide” in liberal-leaning Hollywood. Sure enough, the internet lit up. Fans were bummed, with some saying stuff like, “There goes his career,” and his Shazam! Co-stars Rachel Zegler, Jack Dylan Grazer, Asher Angel, and director David F. Sandberg hit the unfollow button on social media.
Then there’s the vaccine thing. Back in January 2023, Levi retweeted a post calling Pfizer a “danger to the world” and backed it up, later sharing a 2009 article about Pfizer’s $2.3 billion fraud settlement. Fans weren’t having it—one even swore off watching Shazam! Fury of the Gods. His Broadway co-star Laura Benanti also threw shade on a podcast, calling him out for linking a castmate’s death to the COVID vaccine and describing him as a “mansplaining” energy drain. Ouch.
In his Variety interview, Levi owned it all. He admitted some folks in Hollywood don’t want to work with him now, but he’s cool with that, saying he made his choices on purpose. “I didn’t just stumble into this,” he said. He also told Bill Maher in December 2024 that he hasn’t felt major career fallout, though he might’ve missed some of the noise while working in Eastern Europe. Levi’s betting there’s a quiet crowd in the industry who share his conservative views and will back his projects.
Standing Up for Rachel Zegler
Here’s where things get interesting. Rachel Zegler, who played Anthea in Fury of the Gods, went viral after Trump’s 2024 win with Instagram posts saying, “F*** Donald Trump” and wishing Trump supporters “never know peace.” She later apologized, but the backlash was intense, especially since her comments about Disney’s Snow White (2025) had already stirred up trouble, contributing to the movie’s box-office flop. Disney even had to step in over her social media posts, including pro-Palestinian ones.
You’d think Levi, as a Trump supporter, would clap back, especially since Zegler unfollowed him. But nope—he took the high road. “I’m one of those people she was talking about,” he told Variety, but he refused to throw shade. Instead, he said Zegler’s just caught up in “bad information” from the media, comparing her to someone downstream of a noisy echo chamber. “She’s a really talented girl, and I think she wants the best for the world,” he added. That’s a class act, especially when Hollywood’s so quick to pick sides.
What’s Next for Levi
Levi’s not letting the drama slow him down. His WyldWood Studios in Austin is his big bet to shake things up, aiming to tell stories with a White Lotus-style edge, not just preachy political stuff. Austin’s becoming a hot spot for film, and with potential tariffs boosting U.S. productions, Levi’s timing might be spot-on. It’s a gamble, but he’s all in.
Wrapping It Up
Zachary Levi is at a crossroads. His Shazam days might be over, his Trump and vaccine stances have made him a lightning rod, and yet he’s still out here defending Rachel Zegler and chasing big dreams with his Texas studio. Love him or not, you’ve got to admit the guy’s got guts. Whether he’s back in a superhero cape or building a new Hollywood from the ground up, Levi’s story is far from over.
Source: Variety