Shazam! Fury of the Gods has begun production, and while the story is being kept under wraps, some major casting additions have pointed to the Shazam Family battling the daughters of Atlas (the first "A" in "Shazam"). Where does that leave Doctor Sivana and Mister Mind? Remember, an alliance was teased in Shazam!'s mid-credits scene, so Sivana's return seems inevitable.
Unfortunately, actor Mark Strong confirms to Den of Geek that he won't be coming back for the sequel.
"I literally spoke to the producer last night, because I saw that Zach Levi tweeted that they’re about to start shooting in Atlanta," he tells the site. "Doctor Sivana isn’t in Shazam! 2."
"What’s happened is, I think Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu and perhaps someone else — they’ve got some female villains in. And to be honest with you, I’m very happy to take a back seat to some female villains and let them have a go, because judging by the work that Emma Thompson and Emma Stone have done in Cruella, it’s about time."
Despite that, Strong admits that he remains open to returning to the Shazam! franchise somewhere down the line. "Who knows? He’s still got unfinished business with Mister Mind."
In related news, Murphy's Multiverse is reporting that Djimon Hounsou will be back for the sequel as The Wizard. While he had been reduced to ash by the end of the movie, it would make perfect sense for him to play a part in this story in flashbacks (especially if we're going to explore the origins of the Shazam Family's powers). You have to believe Hounsou will also factor into Black Adam.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods director David F. Sandberg recently shared the following update: